Abstract: A spindle assembly drive system that includes a rack unit, a drive gear, a motor, and a plurality of bearings, such that said rack unit laterally moves in a first axis with little or no movement in or rotation about any other axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for moving a spindle along a longitudinal axis, the apparatus includes a spindle; a drive member for moving said spindle over a range of travel along said longitudinal axis in a first direction; a spring for applying a first force in combination with a second force to the spindle in the first direction; a stop element arranged so as to disengage the second force, such that when said spindle is within a first portion of said range of travel, said first force is applied to said spindle in combination with said second force, and when said spindle is within a second portion of said range of travel, said stop element disengages said second force so only said first force is applied to said spindle.

Abstract: A spindle assembly for a component pick and place machine includes a housing containing a spindle for movement therein along a longitudinal axis of the spindle; the housing accommodating a valve for controlling the flow of air to an inner bore of the spindle; the inner bore of the spindle having an opening at one end for communicating the flow of air for picking and placing the components; and the flow of air from the valve to the inner bore of the spindle is internal to the housing through passageways.

Abstract: A spindle assembly for a component pick and place machine includes a housing containing a spindle for movement therein along a longitudinal axis of the spindle; the housing accommodating a valve for controlling the flow of air to an inner bore of the spindle; the inner bore of the spindle having an opening at one end for communicating the flow of air for picking and placing the components; and the flow of air from the valve to the inner bore of the spindle is internal to the housing through passageways.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for compound angle illumination of items such as electronic components and features on those components that are within a field of view of a camera. Illumination assemblies are provided on opposite sides of the components, where illumination criss-crosses the component and its features. The illumination assemblies are also tilted at a vertical angle relative to the component. Light emitting diodes are used as a light source and, in one embodiment, refracting prisms are provided to refract the light from the LED's to provide the criss-cross illumination.

Abstract: An optical sensor for use on an electronic component placement machine. A spindle tip on a placement head for the machine holds the electronic component to be placed on a printed circuit board by means of, for example, a vacuum. A spindle driver housing is mounted surrounding the spindle-spindle tip combination such that the spindle tip can move relative to the spindle driver housing vertically, due to bias mounting. A light beam from an optical emitter passes through an opening in the spindle driver housing to a first mirror mounted at 45.degree. on a first inside surface of the spindle driver housing. The light is reflected from the first mirror to a second mirror on a second inside surface of the spindle driver housing. The second mirror is also at 45.degree.. The light beam is then reflected from the second mirror through a second opening on the other side of the spindle driver housing to an optical receiver.

Abstract: A replaceable nozzle tip for the vacuum spindle of a pick and place machine is provided with mechanical fingers for gripping a component. Vacuum normally supplied to the spindle for acquiring components by suction is used to actuate a plurality of mechanical fingers to acquire components by gripping that are not suitable for acquisition by suction.

Abstract: An apparatus including a vacuum nozzle including an elongated inner bore that defines an elongated vacuum conduit that is coaxial with the inner bore; a nozzle tip connected to the end of the vacuum nozzle and adjacent the vacuum conduit; a reciprocally movable sleeve located within the vacuum conduit and retained by the vacuum nozzle and extendable beyond the nozzle tip; and structure for applying a restorative force to the movable sleeve, the structure for applying a restorative force to the movable sleeve being located within the vacuum conduit and in contact with the movable sleeve.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing station includes a pneumatic clamp for easy and secure mating and un-mating of a supply syringe to the dispensing nozzle from which dots of fluid are selectively dispensed according to displacement of a plunger of the syringe. A syringe cover seals the distal end of the syringe during mating and provides access of pressurized air to the sealed syringe in order to displace the plunger. The piston rod of a pneumatic cylinder protrudes through the cover and into the syringe and serves as a follower which is maintained in engagement with, and follows the displacement of, the syringe plunger. The follower may be used to supplement the primary plunger displacement force, which is supplied by the pressurized air applied to the clamped and sealed syringe via the cover, by applying air at the same or a different pressure to the piston of the follower cylinder. The follower also can be used in indicating a low level state of the adhesive to an attendant.