Robotic Vision Systems, Inc.

International Product Technology,inc.

Steven J Alexander

Merlin E Behnke

Donald P McGee

Todd K Pichler

John Novak

Jon P Ubert

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 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.

Position sensing system and method for an inspection handling system

The invention provides a pick and place system having a taper module that determines both placement and direction of the carrier tape by optically counting sprocket holes as they move in either direction. Compartments in a carrier tape are serially spaced along the longitudinal axis of the tape. The tape also includes a plurality of sprocket holes serially spaced along a line that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tape. The distance between compartments corresponds to a predetermined number of sprocket holes. Two optical couplers are set at a predetermined distance smaller than the s pacing between consecutive sprocket holes. Signals from the couplers will have a unique sequence depending on the direction of the tape. By using direction and number of sprocket holes, the exact position of the tape can be determined.

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Milwaukee, WI, United States of America

Steven J Alexander