Kelsey-hayes Company

Robert P Lyons

Jeffrey E Shaya

Mark C Pinkowski

Method and apparatus are provided in a manufacturing area wherein a semiconductor having nonvolatile memory space is automatically programmed, tested, marked and mounted at a predetermined position on a circuit board to obtain a programmed electronic control unit (ECU). These functions are performed automatically based on programs downloaded from a common controller such as the appropriately programmed personal computer. A handler conveys the semiconductors loaded in micro tubes to a programming head of a memory programmer for programming and testing the semiconductors. Then the handler conveys the programmed semiconductors to a marker, such as a laser etcher, to mark a surface of the semiconductor with indicia related to a particular ABS system in which the semiconductor is to be used. Then the marked semiconductors are conveyed in a tube adapted to be loaded in an automatic mounting device such as a robot under the control of a robot controller. The robot automatically mounts the marked semiconductors at predetermined positions on circuit boards which are supported on a table which may comprise an X-Y table. Finally, each semiconductor mounted on its respective circuit board is tested by a programmable tester to ensure the proper functioning of the semiconductor on its circuit board.

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Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America

Robert P Lyons