Abstract: A system for transferring electrical components. The system may comprise a plurality of electrical components. Each of the components may include leads and a physically asymmetric fiducial marker that structurally alters a physical appearance of the components. The system may also comprise a nest having a nest surface that defines a recess shaped to receive any one of the plurality of components only when the component is oriented such that the component's fiducial marker is received by a corresponding asymmetric portion of the nest surface. In addition, the system may comprise a component feed assembly for feeding the plurality of components to the nest, a component alignment detector, and a pick and place machine having a movable pick head. The movable pick head may have access to the component feed assembly and the recess of the nest.

Abstract: A method of placing a component having leads and an alignment indicating fiducial marker is provided. The method includes detecting the alignment of the fiducial marker on the component, comparing the detected fiducial alignment with a predetermined fiducial alignment and placing the component to a substrate when the detected fiducial alignment corresponds to the predetermined fiducial/alignment.

Abstract: A component transfer apparatus is provided. The component transfer apparatus comprises a pick and place machine having a component feed source and a movable pick head having access to the component feed source. A component alignment detector is directed toward the component feed source and a controller is coupled to the component alignment detector. The controller contains instructions which, when executed by the controller, cause the controller to compare the detected component alignment with a known component alignment.

Abstract: A method of picking a component having an alignment indicating fiducial marker according to a predetermined alignment is provided. The method includes detecting the alignment of the fiducial marker of the component, comparing the detected fiducial alignment with a predetermined fiducial alignment, determining an alignment offset and picking the component in accordance with the alignment offset.

Abstract: A method of attaching a component having a fiducial marker to a substrate is provided. The method includes detecting alignment of the fiducial marker, aligning the component such that the fiducial marker matches a predetermined fiducial alignment, and attaching the component to a substrate.

Abstract: A method of picking a component having an alignment indicating fiducial marker according to a predetermined alignment is provided. The method includes detecting the alignment of the fiducial marker of the component, comparing the detected fiducial alignment with a predetermined fiducial alignment, determining an alignment offset and picking the component in a manner that corrects the alignment offset when the offset has a predetermined value.

Abstract: An electronic component pick and place machine is provided. The pick and place machine comprises a pick station, first and second pick heads, a component alignment detector and a controller. The pick station is connected to a component feed source. The first pick head has access to the pick station and a component transfer area and the second pick head has access to the component transfer area and a component mounting position. The component alignment detector is furthermore directed toward the component transfer area. The controller is coupled to the feed source, the first pick head, the second pick head and the detector, the controller containing instructions which, when executed, cause the controller to compare the detected component alignment with a known component alignment and control the feed source, the first pick head, and the second pick head in response to the comparison.

Abstract: A method of verifying a predetermined lead alignment of a component having a physical asymmetry corresponding to an alignment of the leads is provided. The method includes placing the component in a recess in a surface of a nest, wherein the recess corresponds to and mates with the physical asymmetry on the component and detecting whether the physical asymmetry has mated with the recess.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for determining the alignment of leads on components. Physical and/or superficial fiducial markers on components are used to distinguishes the alignment of leads on the component. The alignment of fiducial markers on the component are detected. A predetermined fiducial alignment is provided that corresponds to a predetermined lead alignment. The detected fiducial alignment is compared to a predetermined fiducial alignment to determine the lead alignment. When used in conjunction with a pick and place machine, the methods and apparatuses provide a means for verifying and correcting the lead alignment of components prior to placement and attachment to a substrate.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for determining the alignment of leads on components. Physical and/or superficial fiducial markers on components are used to distinguishes the alignment of leads on the component. The alignment of fiducial markers on the component are detected. A predetermined fiducial alignment is provided that corresponds to a predetermined lead alignment. The detected fiducial alignment is compared to a predetermined fiducial alignment to determine the lead alignment. When used in conjunction with a pick and place machine, the methods and apparatuses provide a means for verifying and correcting the lead alignment of components prior to placement and attachment to a substrate.