Collecting device for collecting objects that are dissolved out of a mass, especially by means of laser radiation

1. Collecting apparatus for collecting objects which are released, in particular by means of laser irradiation, from a mass which is located on a mount ( 3 ), having a holding unit ( 19 ) for holding at least one collecting means ( 21 ) for collecting an object which is released from the mass, and

having adjustment means ( 13 ) for adjusting the holding unit ( 19 ) in order in this way to position the holding unit ( 19 ),

characterized

in that control means ( 7 , 50 ) are provided for automatic production of adjustment signals for the adjustment means ( 13 ),

in that the adjustment means ( 13 ) are designed such that they automatically adjust the holding unit ( 19 ) in accordance with the adjustment signals from the control means ( 7 , 50 ),

in that the adjustment means ( 13 ) are designed such that when appropriate adjustment signals from the control means ( 7 ) are present they move, in particular pivot, the holding unit ( 19 ) from a placement position which is intended for fitting the holding unit ( 19 ) to the collecting apparatus ( 2 ) or for fitting the collecting means ( 21 ) to the holding unit ( 19 ), to a working position which is used for collecting an object which is released from the mass, or vice versa, and

in that the adjustment means have a first adjustment device ( 14 ) for pivoting the holding unit ( 19 ) from the placement position to the working position, or vice versa, and in that the adjustment means ( 13 ) have a second adjustment device ( 15 , 17 , 25 , 26 ), in order to adjust the holding unit ( 19 ) in the working position essentially parallel to the plane of the mount ( 3 ).

2. The collecting apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , characterized

in that the collecting apparatus ( 2 ) is designed such that, in the placement position, the holding unit ( 19 ) together with the collecting means ( 21 ) is further away, in particular raised, from the mount ( 3 ) having the mass, than in the working position.

3. The collecting apparatus as claimed in claim 2 ,

characterized

in that retention means ( 24 ) are provided for holding the holding unit ( 19 ),

in that the retention means ( 24 ) are mounted on an obliquely running contact surface ( 46 ) such that the retention means ( 24 ) are moved along the obliquely running contact surface ( 46 ) while the retention means ( 24 ) are being pivoted from the working position to the placement position and, in the process, the retention means ( 24 ) are moved away from the mount ( 3 ) in the vertical direction.

4. The collecting apparatus as claimed in claim 1 ,

characterized

in that the adjustment means ( 13 , 17 ) are designed such that, in the working position, they allow automatic adjustment of the holding unit ( 19 ) essentially parallel to the plane of the mount ( 3 ) in order to view, using a microscope, the object collected by the collecting means ( 21 ).

5. The collecting apparatus as claimed in claim 4 ,

characterized

in that a null position is defined for the collecting means ( 21 ) in the working position, and in that the control means ( 7 , 50 ) are designed such that, after adjustment of the holding unit ( 19 ) together with the collecting means ( 21 ) held by it, from the null position, by means of appropriate actuation of the adjustment means ( 13 , 17 ), said control means ( 7 , 50 ) automatically reset to the null position the holding unit ( 19 ) together with the collecting means ( 21 ) held by it.

6. The collecting apparatus as claimed in claim 4 ,

characterized

in that retaining means ( 24 ) are provided for holding the holding unit ( 19 ), in that the retention means ( 24 ) have a first retaining part ( 32 ) with the holding unit ( 19 ) held thereon and a second retaining part ( 31 ) with a magnetic bearing ( 33 , 35 ) acting between the first retaining part ( 32 ) and the second retaining part ( 31 ), and wherein the adjustment means ( 13 , 25 , 26 ) acts on the first retaining part ( 32 ) in the working position in order to adjust the holding unit ( 19 ), to move with respect to the second retaining part ( 31 ) by means of the magnetic bearing ( 33 , 35 ), the first retaining part ( 32 ) together with the holding unit ( 19 ) that is held by it.

7. The collecting apparatus as claimed in claim 6 ,

characterized

in that a sliding layer ( 54 ) is provided between the first retaining part ( 32 ) and the second retaining part ( 31 ).

8. The collecting apparatus as claimed in claim 6 ,

characterized

in that a projection ( 41 ) is provided on the lower face of the second retaining part ( 31 ), and projects into an elongated hole ( 42 ) which is formed in the first retaining part ( 32 ).

9. The collecting apparatus as claimed in claim 6 ,

characterized

in that the control means ( 7 , 50 ) drive the adjustment means ( 13 , 25 , 26 ) as a function of any movement applied by the user, as detected by the input means ( 51 ), such that the first retaining part ( 32 ), together with the holding unit ( 19 ) held by it, is shifted with respect to the second retaining part ( 31 ) in a corresponding manner to the movement applied by the user.

10. The collecting apparatus as claimed in claim 4 ,

characterized

in that the holding unit ( 19 ) is designed to hold a large number of collecting means ( 21 ), and

in that identification means ( 16 ) are provided, in order to identify the position of the individual collecting means ( 21 ) in the working position.

11. The collecting apparatus as claimed in claim 10 ,

characterized

in that the holding unit ( 19 ) has at least one marking ( 22 , 23 ), and in that the identification means ( 16 ) are designed such that, by monitoring the marking ( 22 , 23 ), they deduce the position of the individual collecting means ( 21 ) in the working position.

12. The collecting apparatus as claimed in claim 1 ,

characterized

in that the holding unit ( 19 ) is held by retaining means ( 24 ) and can be removed from the retention means ( 24 ).

13. The collecting apparatus as claimed in claim 1 ,

characterized

in that the holding unit ( 19 ) is designed to hold a large number of collecting means ( 21 ).

14. The collecting apparatus as claimed in claim 1 ,

characterized

in that input means ( 51 ) are provided for detecting any movement applied by a user, and in that the control means ( 7 , 50 ) are designed such that they convert any movement applied by a user, as detected by the input means ( 51 ), to corresponding adjustment signals for the adjustment means ( 13 , 25 , 26 ), in order to move the holding unit ( 19 ) in a corresponding manner to the movement applied by the user.

15. The collecting apparatus as claimed in claim 1 ,

characterized

in that the holding unit ( 19 ) is designed to hold a large number of collecting means ( 21 ), and

in that the control means ( 7 ) are designed such that, by producing appropriate adjustment signals for the adjustment means ( 13 ), they position a specific collecting means ( 21 ) in order to collect an object which is released from the mass.

16. The collecting apparatus as claimed in claim 1 ,

characterized

in that the holding unit ( 19 ) is designed to hold a large number of collecting means ( 21 ), in that a number of objects which can be released from the mass are defined, and in that the control means ( 7 ) are designed such that, by producing appropriate adjustment signals for the adjustment means ( 31 ), they automatically adjust the holding unit ( 19 ) such that different collecting means ( 21 ) are positioned successively in order to collect a respectively predefined object which is released from the mass.

17. The collecting apparatus as claimed in claim 1 ,

characterized

in that the holding unit ( 19 ) is designed to hold a large number of collecting means ( 21 ),

in which case the collecting means ( 21 ) can be fitted to the holding unit ( 19 ) distributed in the circumferential direction, and

in that the second adjustment device has a rotary drive ( 15 ) for rotating the holding unit ( 19 ) essentially parallel to the plane of the mount ( 3 ) which has the mass.

18. The collecting apparatus as claimed in claim 1 ,

characterized

in that the second adjustment device has an adjustment mechanism ( 17 ) with an adjustment pin ( 18 ), which, firstly, is used as a stop in the working position and, secondly, appropriately adjusts the holding unit ( 19 ) in the working position when the adjustment pin ( 18 ) is moved.

19. Collecting apparatus for collecting objects which are released, in particular by means of laser irradiation, from a mass which is located on a mount ( 3 ),

having a holding unit ( 19 ) for holding at least one collecting means ( 21 ) for collecting an object which is released from the mass, and

having adjustment means ( 13 ) for adjusting the holding unit ( 19 ) in order in this way to position the holding unit ( 19 ),

characterized

in that control means ( 7 , 50 ) are provided for automatic production of adjustment signals for the adjustment means ( 13 ),

in that the adjustment means ( 13 ) are designed such that they automatically adjust the holding unit ( 19 ) in accordance with the adjustment signals from the control means ( 7 , 50 ), and

in that the adjustment means ( 13 , 17 ) are designed such that, in the working position, they allow automatic adjustment of the holding unit ( 19 ) essentially parallel to the plane of the mount ( 3 ) in order to view, using a microscope, the object collected by the collecting means ( 21 ).

20. The collecting apparatus as claimed in claim 19 ,

characterized

in that a null position is defined for the collecting means ( 21 ) in the working position, and

in that the control means ( 7 , 50 ) are designed such that, after adjustment of the holding unit ( 19 ) together with the collecting means ( 21 ) held by it, from the null position, by means of appropriate actuation of the adjustment means ( 13 , 17 ), said control means (7, 50 ) automatically reset to the null position the holding unit ( 19 ) together with the collecting means ( 21 ) held by it.

21. The collecting apparatus as claimed in claim 19 ,

characterized

in that retaining means ( 24 ) are provided for holding the holding unit ( 19 ),

in that the retention means ( 24 ) have a first retaining part ( 32 ) with the holding unit ( 19 ) held thereon and a second retaining part ( 31 ) with a magnetic bearing ( 33 , 35 ) acting between the first retaining part ( 32 ) and the second retaining part ( 31 ), and

wherein the adjustment means ( 13 , 25 , 26 ) acts on the first retaining part ( 32 ) in the working position in order to adjust the holding unit ( 19 ), to move with respect to the second retaining part ( 31 ) by means of the magnetic bearing ( 33 , 35 ), the first retaining part ( 32 ) together with the holding unit ( 19 ) that is held by it.

22. The collecting apparatus as claimed in claim 19 ,

characterized

in that the holding unit ( 19 ) is designed to hold a large number of collecting means ( 21 ), and

in that identification means ( 16 ) are provided, in order to identify the position of the individual collecting means ( 21 ) in the working position.

23. Collecting apparatus for collecting objects which are released, in particular by means of laser irradiation, from a mass which is located on a mount ( 3 ),

having a holding unit ( 19 ) for holding at least one collecting means ( 21 ) for collecting an object which is released from the mass, and

having adjustment means ( 13 ) for adjusting the holding unit ( 19 ) in order in this way to position the holding unit ( 19 ),

characterized

in that control means ( 7 , 50 ) are provided for automatic production of adjustment signals for the adjustment means ( 13 ),

in that the adjustment means ( 13 ) are designed such that they automatically adjust the holding unit ( 19 ) in accordance with the adjustment signals from the control means ( 7 , 50 ), and

in that the holding unit ( 19 ) is held by retaining means ( 24 ) and can be removed from the retaining means ( 24 ).

24. The collecting apparatus as claimed in claim 23 ,

characterized

in that retaining means ( 24 ) are provided for holding the holding unit ( 19 ),

in that the retention means ( 24 ) have a first retaining part ( 32 ) with the holding unit ( 19 ) held thereon and a second retaining part ( 31 ), and

wherein the adjustment means ( 13 , 25 , 26 ) acts on the first retaining part ( 32 ) in the working position in order to adjust the holding unit ( 19 ), to move with respect to the second retaining part ( 31 ), the first retaining part ( 32 ) together with the holding unit ( 19 ) that is held by it.

25. Collecting apparatus for collecting objects which are released, in particular by means of laser irradiation, from a mass which is located on a mount ( 3 ),

having a holding unit ( 19 ) for holding at least one collecting means ( 21 ) for collecting an object which is released from the mass, and

having adjustment means ( 13 ) for adjusting the holding unit ( 19 ) in order in this way to position the holding unit ( 19 ),

characterized

in that control means ( 7 , 50 ) are provided for automatic production of adjustment signals for the adjustment means ( 13 ),

in that the adjustment means ( 13 ) are designed such that they automatically adjust the holding unit ( 19 ) in accordance with the adjustment signals from the control means ( 7 , 50 ), and

in that the holding unit ( 19 ) is designed to hold a large number of collecting means ( 21 ).

26. The collecting apparatus as claimed in claim 25 ,

characterized

in that the control means ( 7 ) are designed such that, by producing appropriate adjustment signals for the adjustment means ( 13 ), they position a specific collecting means ( 21 ) in order to collect an object which is released from the mass.

27. The collecting apparatus as claimed in claim 25 ,

characterized

in that the holding unit ( 19 ) is designed to hold a large number of collecting means ( 21 ),

in that a number of objects which can be released from the mass are defined, and

in that the control means ( 7 ) are designed such that, by producing appropriate adjustment signals for the adjustment means ( 31 ), they automatically adjust the holding unit ( 19 ) such that different collecting means ( 21 ) are positioned successively in order to collect a respectively predefined object which is released from the mass.

28. The collecting apparatus as claimed in claim 25 ,

characterized

in that the holding unit ( 19 ) is designed to hold a large number of collecting means ( 21 ), and

in that identification means ( 16 ) are provided, in order to identify the position of the individual collecting means ( 21 ) in the working position.

29. The collecting apparatus as claimed in claim 28 ,

characterized

in that the holding unit ( 19 ) has at least one marking ( 22 , 23 ), and

in that the identification means ( 16 ) are designed such that, by monitoring the marking ( 22 , 23 ), they deduce the position of the individual collecting means ( 21 ) in the working position.

30. Collecting apparatus for collecting objects which are released, in particular by means of laser irradiation, from a mass which is located on a mount ( 3 ),

having a holding unit ( 19 ) for holding at least one collecting means ( 21 ) for collecting an object which is released from the mass, and

having adjustment means ( 13 ) for adjusting the holding unit ( 19 ) in order in this way to position the holding unit ( 19 ),

characterized

in that control means ( 7 , 50 ) are provided for automatic production of adjustment signals for the adjustment means ( 13 ),

in that the adjustment means ( 13 ) are designed such that they automatically adjust the holding unit ( 19 ) in accordance with the adjustment signals from the control means ( 7 , 50 ),

in that input means ( 51 ) are provided for detecting any movement applied by a user, and

in that the control means ( 7 , 50 ) are designed such that they convert any movement applied by a user, as detected by the input means ( 51 ), to corresponding adjustment signals for the adjustment means ( 13 , 25 , 26 ), in order to move the holding unit ( 19 ) in a corresponding manner to the movement applied by the user.

31. The collecting apparatus as claimed in claim 30 ,

characterized

in that retaining means ( 24 ) are provided for holding the holding unit ( 19 ),

in that the retention means ( 24 ) have a first retaining part ( 32 ) with the holding unit ( 19 ) held thereon and a second retaining part ( 31 ), and

wherein the adjustment means ( 13 , 25 , 26 ) acts on the first retaining part ( 32 ) in the working position in order to adjust the holding unit ( 19 ), to move with respect to the second retaining part ( 31 ), the first retaining part ( 32 ) together with the holding unit ( 19 ) that is held by it, and

in that the control means ( 7 , 50 ) drive the adjustment means ( 13 , 25 , 26 ) as a function of any movement applied by the user, as detected by the input means ( 51 ), such that the first retaining part ( 32 ), together with the holding unit ( 19 ) held by it, is shifted with respect to the second retaining part ( 31 ) in a corresponding manner to the movement applied by the user.