Patent ID: 7127459

Claim:
A method for performing a component recognition operation, the method comprising: while using a component electronic catalog storing component text data of a plurality of components to be mounted, the component text data including shapes, dimensions, and weights of the plurality of components, selecting one of the plurality of components from the component electronic catalog; reading out from the catalog the component text data corresponding to the selected component; selecting one of a plurality of nozzles for sucking the selected component based on component text data read from the catalog corresponding to the selected component; and comparing a size of a suction face of the selected nozzle with a dimension of the selected component to be sucked by the selected nozzle, wherein, if the size of the suction face of the selected nozzle is larger than the dimension of the selected component, then performing a reflection type of component recognition operation for recognizing a posture of the selected component to be sucked by the selected nozzle with respect to the selected nozzle by illuminating the selected component from below the selected component and then receiving a light reflected by a bottom surface of the selected component, and wherein, if the size of the suction face of the selected nozzle is smaller than the dimension of the selected component, then performing a transmission type of component recognition operation for recognizing a posture of the selected component to be sucked by the selected nozzle with respect to the selected nozzle by illuminating the selected component from above to below the selected component and then receiving a light passed through a periphery of the selected component.