WO2003022023A1

WO2003022023A1 - Method and apparatus for mounting a component

Info

Publication number: WO2003022023A1
Application number: PCT/US2002/028069
Authority: WO
Inventors: Koenraad A. Gieskes
Original assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
Priority date: 2001-09-05
Filing date: 2002-09-05
Publication date: 2003-03-13
Also published as: US20030041450A1; EP1468591B1; EP1468591A1; CN100544552C; US6625878B2; CN1582606A; US7040137B1; EP1468591A4

Abstract

An apparatus includes a rotatable frame (14); a plurality of pick and place heads (16) mounted on the rotatable frame (14); each of the pick and place heads (16) being movable by rotation of the rotatable frame (14) from a first position to a second position; a first actuator (30) for actuating the spindle (34) of a respective one of the plurality of pick and place heads (16) from the retracted configuration to the extended configuration when the pick and place head (16) is at the first position; and a second actuator (28) for actuating the spindle (34) of the pick and place head (16) from the retracted configuration to the extended configuration when the pick and place head (16) is at the second position so that the position of the component that has been picked up by the spindle (34) is ascertained when the spindle (34) is in the extended configuration.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MOUNTING A COMPONENT

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for ascertaining the position of an electronic component in a system for mounting the electronic component on a circuit board.

Description of Related Art

In the description of the background of the present invention that follows reference is made to certain structures and methods, however, such references should not necessarily be construed as an admission that these structures and methods qualify as prior art under the applicable statutory provisions. Applicants reserve the right to demonstrate that any of the referenced subject matter does not constitute prior art with regard to the present invention.

As used herein, the term "component position" refers to ascertaining both the angular orientation of a component as well as the X-Y position of the component.

Many types of equipment exist today for mounting electronic components on a circuit board, such as a printed circuit board. One such type of equipment includes a pick and place machine that has one or more pick and place heads mounted thereon. Each pick and place head includes a spindle. At one end of the spindle is located a device for picking up the component. Such pick-up devices might include a vacuum nozzle or some other type of mechanical grabbing system. At the other end of the spindle is some type of actuating mechanism. The actuating mechanism moves the spindle from a retracted position to an extended position. In operation, the pick and place head is moved to a pick-up position above the component to be picked-up. When the pick and place head is in the pick-up position, the actuating mechanism is actuated so as to extend the spindle so that the pick-up device contacts and grabs the component. The actuating mechanism then moves the spindle to its retracted position so that the selected component may be withdrawn from the surface on which it rests. After the spindle is retracted, the pick and place head can be moved to another location so that the component can be placed at its intended location.

Due to the increased miniaturization of the components, and the miniaturization of the contact points on each component, it is important to ensure that the component is properly positioned before it is placed or deposited at its intended location. Accordingly, at some point between the pick-up and the placing of the component, the pick and place head must interact with a component position system to ensure the proper positioning of the component when placed at its intended location.

In the past, such component position may have been accomplished with a mechanical process in which the component was literally moved with respect to the pick and place head so that the component is properly positioned with respect to the pick and place head. More recently, the component position is effected with a visual inspection system. Specifically, at some point after the component has been picked up by the pick and place head, the spindle is moved to a location adjacent a camera or imaging system. If it is ascertained that the component position is misaligned with respect to its intended location, a system may be used to move the spindle to ensure proper positioning of the component at its intended location.

After the component is picked up by the pick and place head, the spindle is retracted so that the pick and place head can be moved without contacting other components. Some prior art systems, particularly those which include the vision system camera on the pick and place head, have performed the positioning analysis when the spindle is in a retracted position. However, when the component is deposited at the intended location, the spindle is extended. An inherent feature of the spindle assemblies is that when the spindle moves from the retracted position to the extended position, some shifting of the spindle and/or pick-up nozzle may occur. In other words, it is difficult to make a spindle assembly that is so precise in operation that there is no change in position of the pick-up nozzle as the spindle moves from the retracted position to the extended position.

Thus, in the above-mentioned prior art systems, even if the component position is exactly accomplished, as the spindle moves from the retracted position to the extended position, some shifting of the component may occur due to errors in the spindle movement. Because the component position was effected when the spindle was in the retracted position, the changes in positioning of the component as the spindle moves from the retracted position to the extended position cannot be easily anticipated or compensated. Accordingly, such systems may result in inexact placement of the component, even though precise component position at its intended location was initially ascertained.

Some systems utilize a preprocessing analysis to calibrate the spindles. In such a system, the pick and place head is run through a complete cycle, wherein a vision system monitors each spindle as it moves from a retracted position to an extended position. The vision system monitors the extent of wobble or misalignment that occurs with regard to each spindle as it moves from the retracted position to an extended position, and records this information. Then, during routine processing, the recorded information concerning the wobble or misalignment of the spindle is used to adjust each spindle during component positioning to minimize the extent of misalignment as the spindle moves from the retracted position to an extended position.

However, such a system may not provide enough precision or accuracy for modern needs. Accordingly, a more precise system is necessary if higher levels of precision are desired.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY

It is an object of the present invention to provide a system that is fast and efficient for ascertaining component position. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a system that is able to properly position a component with respect to its intended location, while taking into account any eccentricity or irregularities caused by movement of the spindle as the spindle moves from its retracted position to its extended position. According to the present invention, one embodiment of the invention includes a pick and place apparatus having a housing; a rotatable frame; a plurality of pick and place heads mounted on the rotatable frame, each of the pick up heads including a spindle that is actuatable from a retracted configuration to an extended configuration for picking and placing a component; each of the pick and place heads being movable by rotation of the rotatable frame from a first position at which a component is picked-up or placed by the spindle to a second position at which a position of the component that has been picked up by the spindle is ascertained; a first actuator for actuating the spindle of a respective one of the plurality of pick and place heads from the retracted configuration to the extended configuration when the respective pick and place head is at the first position; and a second actuator for actuating the spindle of the respective pick and place head from the retracted configuration to the extended configuration when the respective pick and place head is at the second position so that the position of the component that has been picked up by the spindle is ascertained when the spindle is in the extended configuration.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a method of ascertaining a position of a component includes extending a spindle on a pick and place head from a retracted position to an extended position, wherein the pick and place head is one of a plurality of pick and place heads mounted on a rotatable frame; picking up a component with the spindle while the spindle is in the extended position; retracting the spindle to the retracted position while the component is held by the spindle; rotating the rotatable frame to move the pick and place head with the component held by the spindle to a component position ascertation position; extending the spindle to the extended position; ascertaining the position of the component while the pick and place head is at the component position ascertation position; retracting the spindle to the retracted position; rotating the rotatable frame to move the pick and place head with the component held by the spindle to a component placing position; and extending the spindle and placing the component while the pick and place head is at the component placing position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a front elevational schematic view of a pick and place head according to the present invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of a pick and place head acccording to the present invention.

Fig. 3 is sectional view of the pick and place head and a portion of an activating mechanism according to the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a front elevational view of a cam according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the electronics industry, robotic systems are used to pick up a component from one location and deliver the component with a high degree of accuracy to an intended location so that the component can be soldered or otherwise attached to a circuit board. Such systems are sometimes referred to as pick and place machines.

A pick and place machine may include a plurality of pick and place heads, each of which are used to pick up one or more of the components for delivery to intended locations. Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a pick and place machine 10 according to the present invention, on which is mounted a plurality of pick and place heads 16, only one of which is actually shown in the drawing. The pick and place turret 10 illustrated in the Fig. 1 includes a circular frame 14 that is rotatable with respect to housing 100 for rotating the frame 14 about its axis. The plurality of pick and place heads 16 (only one of which is shown) is secured to the outer face of the circular frame 14. The pick and place turret 10 is mounted on a conventional translating mechanism (not shown) which enables the pick and place turret 10 to be moved in the X, Y axes. The housing 100 includes an actuating mechanism 30 located at a lower portion thereof. The housing 100 also includes a camera 18, which is part of a vision system, at another location thereof for ascertaining component position for a component that has been picked up by the pick-up nozzle on a spindle.

Figs. 2 and 3 illustrate a pick and place head 16 for use with the present invention. The pick and place head 16 includes a spindle 34, and the spindle 34 includes a pick-up device, such as a vacuum nozzle 44, for picking up the component 45 to be placed. The spindle 34 is slidable within a receiving bore 42. A flanged or enlarged head 38 at one end of the spindle 34 is intended to be contacted by the activating system 30. A spring 35 is arranged concentrically with respect to the spindle 34 so as to exert a biasing force between the underside of the head 38 and a fixed portion of the pick and place head 16. A gear mechanism 54 is provided to adjust the angular orientation of the spindle 34 and the component 45 held thereby. The gear mechanism 54 is driven by a motor 58 through a drive train 56.

The activating assembly 30 includes an arm 48 that is pivotably mounted about a shaft 50. At one end of the arm 48, a contacting surface is provided which makes contact with the head 38 of the spindle 34. At some point, a driving lever 105 is attached to bearing 106 to pivot the arm 48 back and forth about the shaft 50. The activating mechanism is fixed to a lower portion of the housing 100. However, other types of activating mechanisms can be used with the present invention, instead of the disclosed activating mechanism. In operation, a translating mechanism (not shown) moves the pick and place turret 10 to a location above a component to be picked up. The actuating mechanism 30 then actuates the spindle 34 in the pick and place head 16, wherein the spindle 34 is extended down until the pick-up nozzle 44 contacts and picks up the component 45. The actuating mechanism 30 then enables the spindle 34 to be retracted.

In one embodiment, the spring 35 biases the spindle 34 to a retracted position. Accordingly, the actuating mechanism 30 merely depresses the head 38 at one end of the spindle 34, opposite the pick-up nozzle 44, in order to extend the spindle 34. Reference numeral 38A shows the head of the spindle in its retracted position, and 38B shows the head of the spindle in its extended position. In order to retract the spindle 34, the actuating mechanism merely withdraws away from the spindle 34, enabling the spring 35 to move the spindle 34 to its retracted position. However, it should be noted that the present invention is not limited to any particular type of actuating mechanism or pick and place head. Thus, the present invention may have applicability to other systems using different types of pick and place heads and/or activating mechanisms.

After the component 45 has been picked up, and the spindle 34 is retracted, the pick and place turret 10 is then moved to another location to pick up another component with another pick and place head 16. At this time, the circular frame 14 is rotated incrementally so that a different pick and place head is in the lowermost or activating position. The activating mechanism 30 then activates the spindle in the next pick and place head to extend the spindle so that it may pick up the next component, as described above with respect to the first pick and place head and the first component. The process is repeated until as many as components as needed or as can fit on the pick and place turret 10 are picked up.

Prior to depositing the components at their intended locations, the component position is ascertained. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the component position is ascertained with a vision system 18. In the embodiment, the vision system 18 includes two different cameras 20, 22. Such vision systems capable of ascertaining component position are well known in the industry, and the details thereof are omitted from this specification.

As the circular frame 14 of the pick and place turret 10 rotates, each pick and place head incrementally moves in a circular path around the housing 100. In order to ensure a highly accurate positioning at the intended location, the housing 100 interacts with each pick and place head 16, as the pick and place head 16 passes in front of the vision system 20, so as to extend the spindle 34. In one embodiment of the present invention, the spindle 34 is extended by passing the spindle 34 over a cam 28 or a bulge in a stationary part of the housing 100.

Specifically, as the spindle 34 passes over the cam portion, the cam engages the spindle 34, and urges the spindle 34 against the biasing force of the spring 35 so that the spindle 34 is extended when it passes in front of the vision system 20. Fig. 4 is a front elevational view of the cam 28. The cam 28 includes a bulge or extended portion at point A. At point B, the cam 28 is narrower, i.e., is closer to the axis of rotation of the rotatable frame 14 than at point A. The cam 28 also includes a cut-out portion 32 at a lower portion thereof. The activating mechanism 30 fits within the cut-out portion 32.

Ideally, the cam 28 will extend the spindle 34 the same distance as the spindle is extended when the component 45 is delivered to the intended location. However, for purposes of simplicity, an average extension distance is determined, and the cam is constructed so as to extend each spindle 34 at point B the average distance determined. Thus, although each spindle 34 may be extended a different distance to place components of different thicknesses, the differences between the different extended distances are not large enough to cause any significant errors during ascertaining component position at point B on cam 28. In a preferred embodiment, it is assumed that the average extension distance is 11 millimeters. Accordingly, the bulge or cam shape portion of the cam 28 of the pick and place turret 10 is intended to extend the spindle 11 millimeters at point B. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, instead of using a cam 28 to extend the spindles 34 in front of the vision system 20, a second activating system, similar to the aforedescribed activating system 30 at the lower portion of the pick and place head 10, may be used to extend the spindle 34 in front of the vision system 20.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that additions, deletions, modifications, and substitutions not specifically described may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

IN THE CLAIMS:

1. A pick and place apparatus, comprising: a housing; a rotatable frame; a plurality of pick and place heads mounted on the rotatable frame, each of the pick up heads including a spindle that is actuatable from a retracted configuration to an extended configuration for picking and placing a component; each of the pick and place heads being movable by rotation of the rotatable frame from a first position at which a component is picked-up or placed by the spindle to a second position at which a position of the component that has been picked up by the spindle is ascertained; a first actuator for actuating the spindle of a respective one of the plurality of pick and place heads from the retracted configuration to the extended configuration when the respective pick and place head is at the first position; and a second actuator for actuating the spindle of the respective pick and place head from the retracted configuration to the extended configuration when the respective pick and place head is at the second position so that the position of the component that has been picked up by the spindle is ascertained when the spindle is in the extended configuration.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a vision system adjacent the second position for ascertaining the position of the component.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first actuator includes a pivoting lever.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second actuator includes a cam surface on the housing.

5. A method of ascertaining a position of a component, the method comprising: extending a spindle on a pick and place head from a retracted position to an extended position, wherein the pick and place head is one of a plurality of pick and place heads mounted on a rotatable frame; picking up a component with the spindle while the spindle is in the extended position; retracting the spindle to the retracted position while the component is held by the spindle; rotating the rotatable frame to move the pick and place head with the component held by the spindle to a component position ascertation position; extending the spindle to the extended position; ascertaining the position of the component while the pick and place head is at the component position ascertation position; retracting the spindle to the retracted position; rotating the rotatable frame to move the pick and place head with the component held by the spindle to a component placing position; and extending the spindle and placing the component while the pick and place head is at the component placing position.