Apparatus for processing a carrier with electronic components

• US 7,676,900 B2
• Filed: 11/15/2004
• Issued: 03/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fico International BV (Be Semiconductor Industries NV)
• Original Assignee: Fico International BV (Be Semiconductor Industries NV)
• Inventors: Harmsen, Wilhelmus Hendrikus Johannes
• Primary Examiner(s): ARBES, CARL J
• Application Number:
  US10/579,839
• Publication Number:
  US 20070251084A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,947 Days
• Field of Search: 295/64, 295/641, 295/646, 297/11, 298/27, 297/12
• US Class Current: 29/564.1
• 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. An apparatus for processing electronic components mounted on a carrier, comprising:

at least two engaging elements having a distance therebetween that is adjustable depending on the dimensions of the carrier, the at least two engaging elements engage the carrier and transport the carrier to an interchangeable processing element for processing the electronic components mounted on the carrier;

reference means provided on the interchangeable processing element; and

support structures for supporting the at least two engaging elements, the support structures configured to be urged counter to a bias into a position that corresponds to the interchangeable processing element,

wherein the engaging elements are provided with at least one reference position that co-acts with the reference means to define a relative orientation.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the engaging elements are provided with securing means that co-act with the reference means for securing a set relative orientation of the engaging elements.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a frame with the engaging elements mounted thereon,

wherein the engaging elements are displaceable relative to the frame.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, 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.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the engaging elements are formed by components of a conveyor.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the engaging elements are formed by components of a supply container.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reference position is formed by a stop surface.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reference position is formed by a reference pin.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reference position is formed by a reference opening.

10. 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 1, wherein the processing element is provided with integrated reference means.

11. A method for product-related adjustment of an apparatus for processing electronic components mounted on a carrier as claimed in claim 1, 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.

12. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the selection of the reference means according to processing step A) takes place by selecting the interchangeable processing element for processing the carriers with electronic components with integrated reference means.

13. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the relative position of at least two co-acting engaging elements is adjusted during processing step B).

14. The method as claimed in claim 11, 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.