Usm Corporation

Emhart Industries, Inc.

Emhart Enterprises Corp.

Jean A McLean

Robert J Duncan

Richard B Maxner

William H Mirley, Jr

Robert J Duncen

Method and apparatus are disclosed for analyzing an image produced by a camera focused on the leads of a component that have been inserted into a printed circuit board by a component insertion machine. The method and apparatus include the construction of arrays of information pertaining to individual leads that should be present in the image produced by the camera. Individual strings of pixel information in the form of binary encoded bits within each array are analyzed for the presence of a pattern of bits that would indicate a lead. The method and apparatus are operative with respect to a pixel resolution that may only produce a single properly encoded bit per width of inserted lead.

Lead sense system for component insertion machine

A system is disclosed for verifying the proper insertion of the leads of an electrical component. The system includes a camera mounted within a component insertion machine. The camera image is stored within the system and analyzed for the absence of any leads that should have been inserted.

Electronic components are deposited in conveyor buckets in a desired sequence to define repetitive groups of components. These components are delivered to an insertion head for insertion into a circuit board. When a component is not properly inserted, the system stops and a replacement part is delivered by a replacement mechanism to an empty bucket on the conveyor. This empty bucket follows the buckets which held the group of components for the board being loaded.

Combined sequencing and insertion machine

A system is disclosed for checking on the presence or absence of inserted leads of a component into the openings of a printed circuit board. The system is utilized within a component insertion machine wherein a plurality of optical lead sensors are preferably located within the cut and clinch mechanism. A computer system associated with the optical lead sensors compares the optical readings of the lead sensors with predefined data relating to the presence or absence of leads for each particular component being inserted.

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South Hamilton, MA, United States of America

Jean A McLean