Exatron 3000B
www.exatron.com 2-15 Chapter 2 Installation
The Exatron Octoloader
EXATRON’S eight-tube capacity automatic tube loading mechanism, called the Octoloader, will
automatically load any device supplied in tubes into your EXATRON handling system. The Octoloader
assembly snaps onto the handler for easy conversion from one device size/type to another.
The Octoloader is a moving plate that holds tubes of devices and is controlled by the handler’s CPU via a
stepper motor. During production, the plate automatically moves from side to side, positioning each tube
above the handler input track. When the input track becomes empty, the Octoloader automatically
searches for tubes with devices. A sensor mounted at the junction of the input track allows the Octoloader
to “see” a device jam, if one occurs. The Octoloader will then stop moving to prevent damage to the
jammed device. In addition, the Octoloader has an automatic “wiggle” cycle that will attempt to clear the
jam automatically, without operator assistance.
TO INSTALL FULL TUBES INTO THE OCTOLOADER:
1. Tubes are installed upside down into the Octoloader.
2. Raise the blue anodized tube gates, if present on the Octoloader, so that they are in the open or “up”
position.
3. Remove the stopper from the top of a full tube of devices. Hold the lower half of the tube in your right
hand and place the index finger of the left hand over the top of the tube to prevent the devices from
spilling.
4. While blocking the open end of the tube with your finger, invert the tube and rest that end of the tube
and your finger against the Octoloader main plate next to the tube gate at an approximately 45° angle.
5. While continuing to hold the tube with your right hand, move the index finger of your left hand out of
the way of the open end of the tube. Keep the open end of the tube resting against the Octoloader to
prevent spilling the devices and raise the bottom end of the tube until it is completely upside down.
Press the tube into place in the track of the Octoloader.
6. Close the tube gate over the tube to complete installation. Repeat this process f or each additional
tube.
OCTOLOADER OCTO / INDEX GAP