Apparatus for automatically replenishing chips

An alignment/feed mechanism includes a container for receiving a plurality of chips, and an outlet port through which the chips are fed one by one in an aligned fashion. A sensor is operable to detect whether the number of the chips within the container is reduced below a predetermined level. If below the level, additional chips are fed from a chip tank into the container through a replenishment line or pipe. The chip tank is located above the alignment/feed mechanism. An on-off valve is disposed in the replenishment line and operable to open the replenishment line in response the sensed result of the sensor and close the replenishment line when a required number of additional chips are fed to the container.