There is provided a device,
system, and method for flexible feeding capable of being integrated into an
assembly system. The device includes a
disperser, a part
retainer, a vibrator, an excess part removal device, a pick-and-placer, carriers, a
transporter, a carrier inspection disc, a part remover, a gate, a
transfer station, and re-entry tracks. The method includes dispersing parts, agitating parts, removing excess parts, picking captured parts, placing the captured parts into carriers, inspecting the carriers, positioning the carriers at a
transfer station, and transferring the parts to a downstream processor. The
system includes a flexible feeding device configured to perform flexible feeding operations, a data processor, and a medium having
machine-readable instructions
executable by the data processor and configured to cause the data processor to generate signals useful in the synchronization of two or more flexible feeding operations.