Abstract: Apparatus for placement of an optical component on a substrate. The apparatus includes a machine vision system for locating the optical component on the substrate, a contact determiner for determining contact therebetween, and a robot for contacting the optical component and the substrate with one another, and for moving the optical component and the substrate relative to one another under guidance from the machine vision system toward a desired position, wherein the optical component and the substrate contact one another for a portion of the movement. A method includes contacting the optical component with the substrate, locating the optical component on the substrate, and moving the optical component and the substrate relative to one another toward a desired position of the optical component on the substrate, wherein the optical component and the substrate contact one another for a portion of the moving.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for precision placement of an optical component on a substrate and precision assembly thereof into a fiber optic telecommunication package. An apparatus is disclosed comprising a machine vision system; contact determiner means; and a robot. A method is disclosed comprising contacting the optical component and the substrate with one another; locating the optical component relative to a fiducial point on the substrate; and moving the optical component and the substrate relative to one another toward a desired position of the optical component relative to the fiducial point on the substrate; wherein the optical component and the substrate contact one another for at least a portion of the step of moving the optical component and the substrate.