Patent ID: 6260261
Filing Date: 2001-07-17
Classification: H01R,Y10T

Abstract:
An apparatus for attaching component to an edge of a printed circuit board, the apparatus comprising:a printed circuit board support plate for supporting a printed circuit board in a first plane;a sensor to verify proper printed circuit board alignment in said first plane;a sliding member being movable relative to the support plate between a first position and a second position along a second plane that is parallel to the first plane;a first actuator connected to the sliding member, the first actuator moving the sliding member between the first position and the second position;a robotic arm for carrying the component;a component holder pivotally connected to one end of the sliding member, the component holder adapted to receive a component to be attached from the robotic arm and carry the component to a printed circuit board;a vision system to verify proper alignment of said component on the robotic arm for receipt by said component holder;a second actuator mounted on the sliding member and connected to the holder, the second actuator rotating the holder between a component receiving position and a component mounting position relative to the sliding member, whereby when the component holder is in the component mounting position, the component being carried by the component holder is in mounting alignment with an edge of a printed circuit board on the printed circuit board support plate; anda controller for controlling proper alignment of the component for attachment to the edge of the printed circuit boards;wherein the second actuator is connected to a mount on the holder that is offset from a pivot axis of the holder.