Component alignment apparatus and methods

• US 20050138802A1
• Filed: 03/03/2005
• Published: 06/30/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: Gamel, Darryl L., Hines, Kreg W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,222,414 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 29/834
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/0269 for visual or optical inspection
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 13/022 with orientation of the elements
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/09918 Optically detected marks used for aligning tool relative to the PCB, e.g. for mounting of components
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/10689 Leaded Integrated Circuit [IC] package, e.g. dual-in-line [DIL]
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2203/0195 Tool for a process not provided for in H05K3/00, e.g. tool for handling objects using suction, for deforming objects, for applying local pressure
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2203/166 Alignment or registration; Control of registration
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/303 Surface mounted components, e.g. affixing before soldering, aligning means, spacing means H05K3/32 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/50 Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49004 including measuring or testing of device or component part
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4913 Assembling to base an electrical component, e.g., capacitor, etc.
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49131 by utilizing optical sighting device
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49133 with component orienting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49137 Different components
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49144 by metal fusion
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53022 with means to test work or product
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53052 including position sensor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53091 for work-holder for assembly or disassembly
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53174 Means to fasten electrical component to wiring board, base, or substrate
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53178 Chip component
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53183 : Multilead component
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53261 : Means to align and advance work part

Abstract

Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for determining the alignment of leads on components. Physical and/or superficial fiducial markers on components are used to distinguishes the alignment of leads on the component. The alignment of fiducial markers on the component are detected. A predetermined fiducial alignment is provided that corresponds to a predetermined lead alignment. The detected fiducial alignment is compared to a predetermined fiducial alignment to determine the lead alignment. When used in conjunction with a pick and place machine, the methods and apparatuses provide a means for verifying and correcting the lead alignment of components prior to placement and attachment to a substrate.

Claims

1-43. -43. (canceled)

44. A system for transferring electrical components, comprising:

a plurality of electrical components, wherein each component includes a fiducial marker that structurally alters a physical appearance of the component;

a nest having a nest surface that defines a recess shaped to mate with the fiducial marker of any one of the plurality of components only when the component is oriented in a desired orientation;

a component feed assembly for feeding the plurality of components to the nest;

a component alignment detector, wherein the detector includes;

a receiver located at a first side of the recess; and

an emitter located at a second side of the recess opposite the receiver and configured to direct a pattern of radiation toward the receiver above the nest surface such that the radiation pattern is disrupted when any of the fed components are misaligned in the nest; and

a pick and place machine having a movable pick head, the movable pick head having access to the component feed assembly and the recess of the nest.

45. The system of claim 44, wherein the fiducial marker is physically asymmetric.

46. The system of claim 44, wherein the recess is physically asymmetric.

47. The system of claim 46, wherein the recess includes a beveled edge.

48. The system of claim 44, wherein the feed assembly includes a feed source.

49. The system of claim 48, wherein the feed assembly includes a continuous reel tape.

50. The system of claim 48, wherein the feed assembly includes a plurality of serial feed tracks.

51. The system of claim 44, wherein the receiver is configured to compare the radiation pattern to a known radiation pattern.

52. A system for transferring electrical components, comprising:

a plurality of electrical components, wherein each component includes a fiducial marker that structurally alters the physical appearance of the component;

a nest having a nest surface that defines a recess shaped to mate with the fiducial marker of any one of the plurality of components only when the component is oriented in a desired orientation;

a component feed assembly for feeding the plurality of components to the nest;

a component alignment detector configured to direct a pattern of radiation above and parallel to the nest surface such that the radiation pattern is disrupted when any of the fed components are misaligned in the nest; and

a pick and place machine having a movable pick head, the movable pick head having access to the component feed assembly and the recess of the nest.

53. The system of claim 52, wherein the fiducial marker is physically asymmetric.

54. The system of claim 52, wherein the recess is physically asymmetric.

55. The system of claim 52, wherein the feed assembly includes a feed source.

56. The system of claim 52, wherein the detector includes a plurality of receivers corresponding to a plurality of pick heads.

57. A system for transferring electrical components, comprising:

a plurality of electrical components, wherein each component includes a fiducial marker that structurally alters the physical appearance of the component;

a nest having a nest surface that defines a recess shaped to mate with the fiducial marker of any one of the plurality of components only when the component is oriented in a desired orientation;

conveying means for conveying the plurality of components to the nest;

means for moving at least one of the plurality of components from the conveying means to the recess; and

means for detecting the alignment of the at least one of said plurality of components in the recess.

58. The system of claim 57, wherein the fiducial marker is physically asymmetric.

59. The system of claim 57, wherein the recess is physically asymmetric.

60. The system of claim 57 further comprising means for comparing a detected alignment of the component in the recess with a predetermined alignment of the component in the recess.

61. The system of claim 57 further comprising signal means indicative of whether a detected alignment of the component in the recess corresponds to a predetermined alignment of the component in the recess.