Cyberoptics Corporation

Bruce Peterson

Carl E Haugan

Steven K Case

Eric P Rudd

Jeffrey A Jalkio

Jan T A Van De Ven

Methods and apparatus for improving the efficiency of using optical sensors with component placement machines for the placement of components onto a circuit board. One of the improved methods involves the placement of a projection or notch at a selected position on the quill. The projection or notch is detected by the light based component sensor system on the placement head to indicate that it is safe to begin moving the placement head. A second improved method uses a constant, high angular velocity to rotate the component when the sensor is using the shadow cast by the body of the component to align the component. The use of a constant angular velocity allows for the correction for the rotation in determining the orientation to give very accurate results even though the velocity is relatively high. In a further improvement, the information used to determine the position of the component on the quill is used to calculate the dimensions of the component for comparison with expected dimensions of the component. Also, measurements taken without a component in the light path can be used to monitor the condition of the sensor to determine if maintenance is required or recommended.

Methods and apparatus for using optical sensors in component replacement heads

High speed high precision alignment sensor systems for use on surface mount component placement machines. Light systems are used to correctly align and position component parts. The sensor system consists of a light source and an optical lens system causing more of the light from a light source to pass the component in order to obtain a sharper component image on a sensor array. Due to the optical lens systems disclosed, either low powered lasers, light emitting diodes, or other suitable light sources can be used in the system since optical efficiency is substantially increased over prior systems since more of the radiated light is collected from the light source for measurement at the detector. The sensor system is mounted directly on the carrying mechanism for the surface mount component placement machine. During transit of the component between the bin of components and the circuit board upon which the component is to be placed, the component is rotated and the sharp shadow which falls on the detector array is monitored. Several processing algorithms are disclosed for determining correct component angular orientation and coordinate (X,Y) location of the component on the quill. Thereafter, the sensor sends correcting signals to the component placement machine.

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Plymouth, MN, United States of America

Bruce Peterson