Robotic Vision Systems, Inc.

International Product Technology,inc.

Merlin E Behnke

Donald P McGee

Todd K Pichler

Robert G Bertz

Steven J Bilodeau

Frank L Jacovino

Steven J Alexander

Jon P Ubert

William Fusco, Jr

John Novak

Michael L Schneider

Scott E Booker

Chris Urban

Martin Weiss

Troy R Beasley

Kenneth J Pikus

Michael Reilly

David J Rollmann

A vibrator module adapted for use in a taper apparatus for advancing carrier tape having a plurality of compartments and for placing parts in the compartments. The vibrator module includes a motor that includes an output shaft that rotates in response to operation of the motor. The vibrator module also includes an eccentric weight mounted to and rotatable with the output shaft. The eccentric weight causes the motor to vibrate in response to rotation of the output shaft and eccentric weight. The vibrator module further includes a vibration transferring member interconnected with the motor and operable to transfer vibrations from the motor to the carrier tape to cause the parts to settle into the bottoms of the compartments.

Carrier tape vibrator module

An apparatus for processing electronic circuit devices includes an infeed station, a first inspection station, an inverter station, a second inspection station, a sorting station, and an outfeed station. A linear transport mechanism having side edges transports a first work piece containing a plurality of electronic circuit devices through the stations along a linear path. The inverter station holds an empty second work piece above the transport mechanism in an inverted orientation. The inverter station also includes an elevator for lifting the first work piece vertically into an abutting relationship with the second work piece, and an inverting mechanism for inverting the first and second work pieces while maintaining them in the abutting relationship to position the electronic devices in the second work piece in the inverted orientation. The inverter station executes the work piece inverting action while maintaining the work pieces above the linear transport mechanism and between the side edges of the linear transport mechanism. Thus, the electronic circuit devices are inspected at the first inspection station in a first orientation in the first work piece, and are inspected at the second inspection station in an inverted orientation in the second work piece.

Inspection handler apparatus and method

A method and apparatus for packaging parts in compartments of a carrier tape and affixing a cover tape over the carrier tape to trap the parts in the compartments. The method and apparatus provide for deflecting a flange of the carrier tape and sealing the cover tape to the deflected flange. The cover tape is tightened across the carrier tape when the carrier tape flange returns to its undeflected condition.

Method and apparatus for tensioning cover tape

Method and apparatus for sealing cover tape. A sealing mechanism is connected to an actuator that moves the mechanism toward an adhesively backed cover tape and a carrier tape. The sealing mechanism applies heat and/or pressure to the cover tape to activate and bond the cover tape to the carrier tape. A biasing member biases the mechanism away from the cover and carrier tapes. The actuator is actuable to overcome the biasing force of the biasing member and to initiate contact between the sealing mechanism and the cover tape. When the actuator is disengaged, the biasing member moves the sealing mechanism away from the cover tape.

Method and apparatus for sealing cover tape to carrier tape

A drive for a carrier tape used in conjunction with a pick and place module of a machine for inspecting and handling advances the carrier tape to its desired position in two steps. Using the number of sprocket holes between compartments in the tape (n holes), the first step is n&minus;1 sprocket holes. The second step takes the carrier tape the remaining distance to complete the advance to the distance equal to n sprocket holes. The tape is driven by friction rollers not by the use of the sprocket holes. The presence of a device in a compartment and its proper positioning in the compartment is also inspected.

Position sensing system for inspection handling system

A multiple output reel module includes a reel wheel supporting a plurality of spindles. Mounted to each spindle is a reel. The reel wheel is rotatable to position one of the spindle and reel combinations in a loading position in which output media from a nearby machine is interconnected to the reel. The spindle and reel are rotated to load the reel with output media. A CPU monitors the status of the reel, and stops the loading when the reel is full. The CPU then rotates the reel wheel to position a second spindle and reel combination in the loading position. The output media is automatically positioned over a portion of the second reel, and the output media is automatically interconnected to the second reel with an over-center finger assembly. Then the output media between the two reels is cut and the second reel is loaded with output media.

Multiple output reel module

A carrier tape drive used in conjunction with a pick and place module. The drive advances carrier tape to a desired position in two steps. The first step includes substantially stopping a carrier tape compartment short of a loading position, and the second step includes moving the compartment into the loading position.

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Grafton, WI, United States of America

Merlin E Behnke