Component alignment methods

• US 7,017,262 B1
• Filed: 12/17/1999
• Issued: 03/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: Hines, Kreg W., Gamel, Darryl L.
• Primary Examiner(s): TUGBANG, ANTHONY D
• Application Number:
  US09/466,545
• Time in Patent Office: 2,293 Days
• Field of Search: 298/32, 298/33, 298/34, 297/12, 297/20, 297/40, 297/59, 295/93, 314/468.28, 314/468.21, 314/390, 356/394, 356/399, 356/614, 356/623
• US Class Current: 29/833
• 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

A method of placing a component having leads and an alignment indicating fiducial marker is provided. The method includes detecting the alignment of the fiducial marker on the component, comparing the detected fiducial alignment with a predetermined fiducial alignment and placing the component to a substrate when the detected fiducial alignment corresponds to the predetermined fiducial/alignment.

Claims

1. A method of placing a component, the method comprising:

placing a component into a nest, said component having leads and an alignment-indicating physically asymmetric fiducial marker, said physically asymmetric fiducial marker defining a portion of a bottom surface of said component that is asymmetric with respect to a top surface of said component, said nest having an asymmetrically shaped recess corresponding to the physically asymmetric fiducial marker on the component;

detecting whether the physically asymmetric fiducial marker on the component mates with the asymmetrically shaped recess; and

placing the component on the substrate when mating of the physically asymmetric fiducial marker with the asymmetrically shaped recess is detected.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said detecting further comprises distinguishing when the component is in a predetermined alignment.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said detecting further comprises sensing when a component contacts a surface of said recess.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting further comprises:

directing a pattern of radiation above and parallel to the recess in the nest;

receiving the radiation pattern that passes the recess;

comparing the received radiation pattern to a predetermined radiation pattern; and

determining whether the fiducial marker is mated with the asymmetrically shaped recess.

5. A method of placing a component, the method comprising:

placing a component in a nest, said component having an alignment-indicating physically asymmetric fiducial marker, said asymmetric fiducial marker defining a portion of a bottom surface of said component that is asymmetric with respect to a top surface of said component, said nest having a surface and an asymmetric recess defined therein;

detecting alignment of the component in the recess;

comparing a detected alignment with a predetermined alignment; and

placing the component to a substrate when the detected alignment corresponds to the predetermined alignment.

6. A method of placing a component, the method comprising:

forming a recess in a nest for mating with an alignment-indicating physical shape of a fiducial marker;

placing a component in the recess, said component having leads and the fiducial marker, said fiducial marker defining a portion of a bottom surface of said component that is asymmetric with respect to a top surface of said component, the fiducial marker of said component comprising the alignment-indicating physical shape for indicating alignment of said leads upon mating with the recess;

detecting whether the alignment-indicating physical shape of the fiducial marker mates with the recess; and

placing the component on the substrate when mating of the alignment-indicating physical shape of the fiducial marker with the recess is detected.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said detecting further comprises determining whether the component extends beyond the surface of the nest.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein said recess corresponds to a beveled edge of the component.