Method of validating component feeder exchanges

• US 7,555,831 B2
• Filed: 05/18/2005
• Issued: 07/07/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: CyberOptics Corporation (Nordson Corporation)
• Original Assignee: CyberOptics Corporation (Nordson Corporation)
• Inventors: Case, Steven K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Donghai D.
• Application Number:
  US11/131,925
• Publication Number:
  US 20050268460A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,511 Days
• Field of Search: 297/01, 297/02, 297/20, 297/39, 297/40, 298/32, 298/33, 294/070.4, 298/34, 206/459.5, 206/714, 206/715, 235/375, 235/376, 700 56- 59, 700/95, 700/96, 700/213, 700/221, 700/229
• US Class Current: 29/740
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 13/02 Feeding of components
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 13/0413 with orientation of the component while holding it; Drive mechanisms for gripping tools, e.g. lifting, lowering or turning of gripping tools
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 13/043 Feeding one by one by other means than belts
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 13/0486 Replacement and removal of components
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 13/0813 Controlling of single components prior to mounting, e.g. orientation, component geometry H05K13/0812 takes precedence
• 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 29/53 Means to assemble or disassemble
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53009 with comparator
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53087 with signal, scale, illuminator, or optical viewer
• 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

Abstract

A method and apparatus for facilitating validation of component feeder exchanges in pick and place machines are provided. A pre-exchange image of a component from a feeder is acquired and compared with an image a component from the exchanged feeder placed after the feeder exchange. A comparison of the pre-exchange image with the post-exchange image facilitates simple and quick feeder exchange validation. Aspects of the present invention are practicable with different types of pick and place machines, and are able to advantageously use sensors and/or technician supplied information to generate automatic indications of feeder exchange validity.

Claims

1. A pick and place machine configured to facilitate validation of a feeder exchange, the machine comprising:

a placement head having at least one nozzle for releasably holding at least one component;

a robotic system for generating relative movement of the placement head between a feeder and a workpiece;

an image acquisition system disposed to acquire an image of a placement location of the component on the workpiece;

the feeder coupled to the machine and configured to provide a plurality of components;

wherein the image acquisition system is configured to acquire and store a pre-exchange image of at least one component previously selected from the feeder and placed on the workpiece prior to feeder exchange and after the component previously selected from the feeder is placed upon the workpiece, and to acquire a post-exchange image of at least one component previously selected from a new feeder and placed on the workpiece after feeder exchange and after the component previously selected from the new feeder is placed upon the workpiece; and

wherein the image processing device is configured to process the pre-exchange image and post-exchange image to provide an indication of exchange validity.

2. The machine of claim 1, and further comprising a display device configured to display the pre-exchange image and the post-exchange image.

3. The machine of claim 1, wherein the image acquisition system is a fiducial camera.

4. The machine of claim 1, wherein the image acquisition system has an optical axis that is included with respect to the workpiece.

5. The machine of claim 1, wherein the machine is a Cartesian-type pick and place machine.

6. The machine of claim 1, wherein the machine is a split-gantry style machine.

7. The machine of claim 1, wherein the machine is a turret-style machine.