Method of and apparatus for testing a nozzle of a pick-and-place system
First Claim
1. An apparatus for testing a nozzle of a pick-and-place system, said apparatus comprising:
- a durable body forming a reservoir with an opening, said reservoir configured to carry a fluid;
a membrane covering the opening of said reservoir and sized to receive contact from the nozzle, wherein the membrane is positioned for contact with a nozzle of the pick-and-place system; and
a reservoir pressure sensor positioned to sense a pressure of the fluid within the reservoir.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus (200) and method are provided for testing a nozzle of a pick-and-place system (100). The apparatus (200) includes a reservoir (206) configured to carry a fluid, a membrane (204) covering an opening of the reservoir (206), and a reservoir pressure sensor. The apparatus may further include a processor (118) coupled to the reservoir pressure sensor (208) and an output device (116) coupled to the processor (118). The nozzle (104) is positioned to contact and displace the membrane (204), thus changing the pressure of the fluid within the reservoir (206). The reservoir pressure sensor (208) senses pressure changes within the reservoir (206) and generates a signal that varies in response to the displacement of the membrane. The signal is compared to a predetermined signal to detect whether the nozzle has the proper position, the proper alignment, sufficient vacuum, and other errors affecting pick-and-place systems.
16 Citations
24 Claims
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1. An apparatus for testing a nozzle of a pick-and-place system, said apparatus comprising:
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a durable body forming a reservoir with an opening, said reservoir configured to carry a fluid; a membrane covering the opening of said reservoir and sized to receive contact from the nozzle, wherein the membrane is positioned for contact with a nozzle of the pick-and-place system; and a reservoir pressure sensor positioned to sense a pressure of the fluid within the reservoir. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A pick-and-place system capable of testing a nozzle, comprising:
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a positioning device; at least one nozzle mounted to said positioning device; a durable body forming a reservoir with an opening, said reservoir configured to carry a fluid; a membrane covering the opening of said reservoir, said membrane positioned at or near a component presentation area of the pick-and-place system; a reservoir pressure sensor positioned to sense a pressure of the fluid within the reservoir; and a processor coupled to said reservoir pressure sensor. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of testing a nozzle of a pick-and-place system, the method comprising the steps of:
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positioning the nozzle for contact with a membrane; attempting to displace the membrane using the nozzle; and generating at least one signal that varies in response to displacement of the membrane. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of testing a nozzle of a pick-and-place system, the method comprising the steps of:
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positioning the nozzle for contact with a membrane; providing a vacuum force in the nozzle; moving the nozzle to displace the membrane; and generating at least one signal that varies in response to displacement of the membrane. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification