Capacitors as the representative chip style electronic component example, component alignment technology is explained. For smaller, lighter, and thinner electronic equipment, capacitors have been changing in miniaturization and minimization of the product configurations.

[Table 1] Changes in projection area and volume of capacitor products.

- As can be seen from [Fig.2], miniaturization of capacitors contributes to size and weight reduction of 1/62 projection area, 1/500 volume, and 1/300 weight. - However, difficulty levels in the automation technology to detect capacitor component orientation and position manipulation will rise. - For the capacitor component alignment tasks, parts feeders are often used to perform the process. 　a) Side reversals 　b) Fore/aft alignment 　c) Workpiece separation (rejection of misaligned parts, etc.)