Abstract: An illuminated video probe in an aligning system for similtaneously viewing an object and a device acting on the object while illuminating the object and the device acting on the object directly along their respective viewing axes. A first optical beamsplitter and adjacent mirror surface act to simultaneously translate the object and device images to the video probe optical axis. A second optical beamsplitter, adjacent light source, and opaque surface act to illuminate the object along the viewing axis without causing light to project back toward the video probe.

Abstract: An aligning system includes an object to be acted upon at predetermined locations, such as a circuit board to receive solder paste. There is a device, such as a stencil, characterized by the pattern for acting upon the object. A video probe is arranged to look at both the device and the object for providing image signals representative of both. A comparator compares the image signals to provide an error signal representative of misalignment between the device and object. A positioner responsive to the error signal relatively positions the device and object to reduce the error. An operator causes the device to operate upon the object at the predetermined locations.

Abstract: A mechanism for automatically loading and unloading printed circuit boards from a electrical component insertion machine comprising an elevator for vertically moving and positioning conveyors adjacent a board storage, one of the conveyors being adapted to extract a board from the storage and convey the board to the insertion machine and the other conveyor being adapted to receive the assembled board from the insertion machine and insert the assembled board back into the storage. A conveyor is mounted on the table of the insertion machine and a bridge conveyor transfers the board from the table conveyor to the vertically movable conveyors to transport the boards onto and off from the insertion machine table.

Abstract: An aligning system includes an object to be acted upon at predetermined locations, such as a circuit board to receive solder paste. There is a device, such as a stencil, characterized by the pattern for acting upon the object. A video probe is arranged to look at both the device and the object for providing image signals representative of both. A comparator compares the image signals to provide an error signal representative of misalignment between the device and object. A positioner responsive to the error signal relatively positions the device and object to reduce the error. An operator causes the device to operate upon the object at the predetermined locations.