Patent ID: 6230067
Filing Date: 2001-05-08
Classification: G01R,H05K,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of automatically assembling a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) in an assembly apparatus having a conveyor system and a programming site, comprising the steps of:a) receiving, in the assembly apparatus, a programmable electronic device to be programmed;b) automatically programming the electronic device in a programming site within the assembly apparatus;c) receiving a printed circuit board in the assembly apparatus; andd) assembling the PCBA in the assembly apparatus by automatically placing the programmed electronic device on the printed circuit board so as to form the PCBA, wherein the step of automatically programming the electronic device employs at least four defined states, namely, a first state indicating that the programming site has been promised to the conveyor system; a second state indicating that the programming site is awaiting delivery of the programmable electronic device, a third state indicating that the programmable electronic device is being programmed, and a fourth state indicating that the programming site is physically empty.