Patent ID: 6463653
Filing Date: 2002-10-15
Classification: H05K,Y02P,Y10T

Abstract:
An electronic component pick and place machine comprising:a component feed source having a pick station; a first pick head operatively associated with the component feed source and having access to said pick station and a component transfer area; a nest located in said component transfer area, wherein said nest includes a nest surface and defines an asymmetrically shaped recess; a second pick head operatively associated with and having access to said component transfer area and a component mounting position; a component alignment detector operatively associated with said component transfer area and directed toward said nest, said the detector comprising an emitter positioned to direct radiation parallel and adjacent to said nest surface and a receiver positioned on a side of said recess opposite said emitter and directed toward said emitter; and a controller coupled to said feed source, said first pick head, said second pick head, and said detector, said controller containing instructions which, when executed by said controller, cause said controller to compare the detected component alignment with a known component alignment and control said feed source, said first pick head, and said second pick head in response to said comparison.