Device and Method for Product-Related Adjustment of an Apparatus for Processing a Carrier with Electronic Components

• US 20070251084A1
• Filed: 11/15/2004
• Published: 11/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fico International BV (Be Semiconductor Industries NV)
• Original Assignee: Fico International BV (Be Semiconductor Industries NV)
• Inventors: Harmsen, Wilhelmus Hendrikus
• Granted Patent: US 7,676,900 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 29/740
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 13/0061 Tools for holding the circuit boards during processing; handling transport of printed circuit boards
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 Electrical device making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49133 with component orienting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/5136 Separate tool stations for selective or successive operation on work
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/5137 including assembling or disassembling station
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/5142 and means to sever work from supply
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53048 Multiple station assembly or disassembly apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53052 including position sensor
• 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

The invention relates to an apparatus for processing electronic components mounted on a carrier, comprising at least two engaging elements which co-act when engaging on a carrier. The invention also relates to a processing element for processing electronic components mounted on a carrier, which processing element can be coupled interchangeably to an apparatus according to the invention. The invention furthermore relates to a method for product-related adjustment of such an apparatus.

Claims

1-15. -15. (canceled)

16. An apparatus for processing electronic components mounted on a carrier, comprising at least two engaging elements which co-act for engaging on a carrier, which engaging elements, depending on the dimensioning of the carrier for engaging, can be positioned in a relative orientation in adjustable manner, wherein the engaging elements are provided with at least one reference position for co-action with reference means defining the relative orientation.

17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the engaging elements are provided with securing means for securing a set relative orientation of the engaging elements.

18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the apparatus is also provided with an interchangeable processing element for processing the carrier with electronic component, which processing element is provided with integrated reference means.

19. The apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the apparatus also comprises a frame relative to which the engaging elements are displaceable.

20. The apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein the engaging elements are coupled to the frame such that the displacement of a first engaging element relative to the frame results in a forced displacement of at least a second engaging element.

21. The apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the engaging elements are formed by components of a conveyor.

22. The apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the engaging elements are formed by components of a supply container.

23. The apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the reference position is formed by a stop surface.

24. The apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the reference position is formed by a reference pin.

25. The apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the reference position is formed by a reference opening.

26. A processing element for processing electronic components mounted on a carrier, which processing element can be coupled interchangeably to an apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the processing element is provided with integrated reference means.

27. A method for product-related adjustment of an apparatus for processing electronic components mounted on a carrier as claimed in claim 16, comprising the processing steps of:

A) selecting a reference means required for a determined adjustment of the apparatus, and

B) displacing an engaging element for the product until the position of the engaging element is determined by the reference means.

28. The method as claimed in claim 27, wherein the selection of the reference means according to processing step A) takes place by selecting an interchangeable processing element for processing the carriers with electronic components with integrated reference means.

29. The method as claimed in claim 27, wherein the relative position of at least two co-acting engaging elements is adjusted during processing step B).

30. The method as claimed in claim 27, wherein after displacing at least one engaging element according to processing step B), the position of the displaced engaging element is secured in a subsequent processing step C).