Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a method of inspecting a component (10), using an assembly comprising a camera (3) with a fixed position, and a moveable stage (5), wherein the moveable stage is configured such that it can rotate about a rotation axis (7), and, can move linearly along two linear axes (9a, 9b) wherein said two linear axes are perpendicular to one another and wherein both of said two linear axes are each perpendicular to the rotation axis, the method comprising the steps of, (a) providing a first component into a predefined orientation on the stage, such that a first side of the component is facing a camera; (b) moving the stage linearly along one or more of said two linear axes so as to bring the first side of the first component into focus of the camera; (c) capturing an image of the first side of the first component after it has been brought into focus of the camera.

Abstract: According the present invention there is provided a method for adjusting a component handling assembly, the component handling assembly comprising, a plurality of stations at least some of which have a nest which can receive a component, and a rotatable turret having a plurality of component handling heads, and wherein the turret can rotate to transport components between the plurality of stations, the method comprising the steps of, capturing a first image of a reference element located at a first station, using a camera which is located on the rotatable turret; identifying the position in the first image of the center of the reference element; rotating the turret so that the camera on the turret is in a position where it can capture a second image of nest of a second station; capturing a second image of the nest of the second station, using said camera; identifying the position in the second image of the center of the nest of the second station; superimposing a marker on the second image at the same positio

Abstract: According the present invention there is provided a method for adjusting a component handling assembly, the component handling assembly comprising, a plurality of stations at least some of which have a nest which can receive a component, and a rotatable turret having a plurality of component handling heads, and wherein the turret can rotate to transport components between the plurality of stations, the method comprising the steps of, capturing a first image of a reference element located at a first station, using a camera which is located on the rotatable turret; identifying the position in the first image of the centre of the reference element; rotating the turret so that the camera on the turret is in a position where it can capture a second image of nest of a second station; capturing a second image of the nest of the second station, using said camera; identifying the position in the second image of the centre of the nest of the second station; superimposing a marker on the second image at the same positio

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided method of handling components, the method comprising the steps of: (a) aligning a component into a predefined orientation using an alignment means; (b) placing the component onto a predefined position on a boat which is located in a loading area; (c) capturing a first image of the component after it has been placed on the boat with a first camera; (d) using the first image to identify if the component is in a predefined orientation on the boat; (e) if the component is not in said predefined orientation on the boat, then picking the component from the boat and aligning the component again using said alignment means. There is further provided a corresponding assembly for handling components.

Abstract: An inspection device, suitable for use when inspecting a component for defects, including a cluster of lights which are arranged into two or more groups of lights, wherein the cluster of lights is configured such that each group of lights can be operated asynchronously to the other group(s) of lights so that light can be directed asynchronously at a component, from different directions; an image capturing means which is configured to capture an image of a component when each of the groups of lights are lit, to provide a plurality of images, each image showing the component lit from a different direction; a processing means configured to perform arithmetic computation using the images, so as to provide a single image in which defects in the component can be more easily identified. Also, a corresponding method of inspecting a component and a lighting arrangement with a dome and a diffuser.