Component alignment apparatuses

• US 6,463,653 B1
• Filed: 12/17/1999
• Issued: 10/15/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: Gamel, Darryl L., Hines, Kreg W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Arbes, Carl J.
• Application Number:
  US09/466,518
• Time in Patent Office: 1,033 Days
• Field of Search: 298/32, 297/40, 298/33, 297/59, 298/40
• US Class Current: 29/740
• 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

An electronic component pick and place machine is provided. The pick and place machine comprises a pick station, first and second pick heads, a component alignment detector and a controller. The pick station is connected to a component feed source. The first pick head has access to the pick station and a component transfer area and the second pick head has access to the component transfer area and a component mounting position. The component alignment detector is furthermore directed toward the component transfer area. The controller is coupled to the feed source, the first pick head, the second pick head and the detector, the controller containing instructions which, when executed, cause the controller to compare the detected component alignment with a known component alignment and control the feed source, the first pick head, and the second pick head in response to the comparison.

Claims

1. An electronic component pick and place machine comprising:

a component feed source having a pick station;

a first pick head operatively associated with the component feed source and having access to said pick station and a component transfer area;

a nest located in said component transfer area, wherein said nest includes a nest surface and defines an asymmetrically shaped recess;

a second pick head operatively associated with and having access to said component transfer area and a component mounting position;

a component alignment detector operatively associated with said component transfer area and directed toward said nest, said the detector comprising an emitter positioned to direct radiation parallel and adjacent to said nest surface and a receiver positioned on a side of said recess opposite said emitter and directed toward said emitter; and

a controller coupled to said feed source, said first pick head, said second pick head, and said detector, said controller containing instructions which, when executed by said controller, cause said controller to compare the detected component alignment with a known component alignment and control said feed source, said first pick head, and said second pick head in response to said comparison.

2. An electronic component pick and place machine, comprising:

a component feed source having a pick station;

a component transfer area having a nest, wherein said nest includes a surface and defines an asymmetric recess;

a first pick head operatively associated with and having access to said pick station and said component transfer area;

a second pick head operatively associated with and having access to said component transfer area and a component mounting position;

a component alignment detector operatively associated with and directed toward said component transfer area; and

a controller coupled to said feed source, said first pick head, said second pick head, and said detector, said controller containing instructions which, when executed by said controller, cause said controller to compare the detected component alignment with a known component alignment and control said feed source, said first pick head, and said second pick head in response to said comparison.

3. The pick and place machine of claim 2, wherein said component alignment detector is focused on said surface of said nest.

4. The pick and place machine of claim 2, wherein said recess corresponds to a fiducial marker of a component.

5. The pick and place machine of claim 4, wherein said detector contains instructions which, when executed by said detector, cause said detector to detect an orientation of said fiducial marker.

6. The pick and place machine of claim 4, wherein said fiducial marker includes a shape of the component.

7. The pick and place machine of claim 6, wherein said shape includes a beveled edge of the component.

8. The pick and place machine of claim 2, wherein a component does not extend beyond said surface of said nest when the component is properly aligned in said nest.

9. The pick and place machine of claim 8, wherein said alignment signal corresponds to the presence or absence of a portion of a component extending beyond said nest surface.

10. An electronic component pick and place machine, comprising:

a component feed source having a pick station;

a first pick head operatively associated with and having access to said pick station and a component transfer area;

a second pick head operatively associated with and having access to said component transfer area and a component mounting position;

a component alignment detector operatively associated with and directed toward said component transfer area and having an alignment signal output;

an alignment signal present at said alignment signal output;

a nest defining an asymmetric recess and positioned adjacent said component transfer area, wherein said alignment signal corresponds to whether the component is properly aligned in said recess of said nest; and

a controller coupled to said feed source, said first pick head, said second pick head, and said detector, said controller containing instructions which, when executed by said controller, cause said controller to compare the detected component alignment with a known component alignment and control said feed source, said first pick head, and said second pick head in response to said comparison.

11. An electronic component pick and place machine, comprising:

a component feed source having a pick station;

a component transfer area having a nest, wherein said nest includes a surface and defines an asymmetric recess;

a first pick head operatively associated with and having access to said pick station and said component transfer area;

a second pick head operatively associated with and having access to said component transfer area and a component mounting position;

a component alignment detector operatively associated with the component transfer area and at least partially positioned within said recess of said nest; and

a controller coupled to said feed source, said first pick head, said second pick head, and said detector, said controller containing instructions which, when executed by said controller, cause said controller to compare the detected component alignment with a known component alignment and control said feed source, said first pick head, and said second pick head in response to said comparison.

12. The pick and place machine of claim 11, wherein said detector includes a contact sensor at least partially positioned within said recess of said nest.

13. The pick and place machine of claim 11, wherein said detector includes a vacuum sensor at least partially positioned within said recess of said nest.