Abstract: An optical module for use in an optical device is provided. The module includes an optical component and relative reference mount. The optical component is fixed spacially relative to a registration feature. The registration feature is configured to couple to a fixed reference mount. A thermal conductor dissipates heat from the optical component.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention includes a novel method of providing a set of vertices representative of the outline of an opaque object so that an outline of the object can be made from the set of vertices. The method includes the step of casting a shadow of the object onto a detector while the object is held at an angle and then detecting at least one edge of the shadow image. Once at least one of the edges in the shadow image is known, a data pair formed by the at least one shadow edge and its corresponding angle is preferably stored. The steps of casting and detecting are repeated until a plurality of data pairs is stored. Finally, a set of vertices is computed from the plurality of data pairs. An outline of the object can be made by plotting the set of vertices, for example, for use in viewing an outline of the object.

Abstract: A sensor for sensing placement information of a component to be placed by a pick and place machine is disclosed. The sensor includes a plurality of light sources each of which is disposed to direct illumination at different angles of incidence upon the component. Each source is further adapted to generate light based upon an energization signal. Source control electronics are provided and coupled to the plurality of light sources to successively and/or provide energization signals to each source. A detector is disposed within the sensor relative to the plurality of sources to receive at least one shadow of the component, and provide data at a detector output indicative of the shadow imaged while the component is rotated.

Abstract: An optical module for use in an optical device is provided which includes an optical component. The optical component is bonded to a relative reference mount which can be attached to couple to a fixed reference mount. The bond is formed by solder.

Abstract: An optical module for use in an optical device is provided which includes an optical component. The optical component is bonded to a relative reference mount which can be attached to couple to a fixed reference mount. The bond is formed by solder.

Abstract: An optical device includes a fixed reference. A first optical module has a first optical component prealigned with respect to a reference feature, the first optical module is subsequently mounted to a first predetermined location on the fixed reference. A second optical module has second optical component prealigned with respect to a reference feature, the second optical module mounted to a second predetermined location on the fixed reference.

Abstract: An optical alignment system is provided for aligning an optical module of the type which is suitable for use in an optical device. The system includes a reference base having a registration feature that aligns with a registration feature of the optical module. An optical sensor senses an optical characteristic of the optical element and optical element manipulator moves the optical element relative to the registration features of the optical module. A controller operates the optical element manipulator.

Abstract: An optical device is provided which includes a plurality of optical modules. Each optical module includes an optical component fixedly coupled to a relative reference mount. The relative reference mount is configured to attach to a substrate. A plurality of optical modules mount on the substrate to form the optical device.

Abstract: An optical module for use in an optical device is provided. The module includes an optical component and relative reference mount. The optical component is fixed spacially relative to a registration feature. The registration feature is configured to couple to a fixed reference mount.

Abstract: An automated assembly apparatus for assembling opto-electronic devices includes a pick and place machine adapted to receive at least one opto-electronic component and place the component in one of a plurality of a nano-precision assembly cells. The nano-precision assembly cells are adapted to receive components from the pick and place machine, and position or align the components with sub-micron accuracy.

Abstract: The present invention includes a system for providing a signal related to a physical condition of an object, such as an electronic component. Various types of electronic components may be used with the present invention, including leaded components, column, pin or grid array packages, and the like. The system includes a quill for releasably holding the object. The object has a major surface defining a plane, and a motion control system for rotating the quill about a central axis. Control electronics in the invention provide a plurality of trigger signals to each of two detectors, each detector adapted to view the same stripe in the plane upon receipt of a trigger signal and to output an image of the stripe. The detectors view a plurality of stripes while the motion control system rotates the quill, and the output from the detectors is received by processing circuitry for processing the plurality of images of the stripes to provide the signal related to the physical condition of the object.

Abstract: The present invention is a light based detection system for providing a low cost, very fast and very accurate measurements of lead positions and heights for integrated circuit board components. The alignment detections systems of the present invention are preferably located on a component placement head. The detector is a linear or rectangular array of pixels. The light path between the light source and the detector array is directed by the optical components across one or more leads in a plane that is neither parallel to nor perpendicular to the seating plane of the component. The light path is directed across the relevant leads without substantial interference from the body of the component or the other leads not being measured. A digital processor analyzes the measurements of the light sensitive detector to determine positions and/or coplanarity of the leads.

Abstract: High speed high precision alignment sensor systems for use on surface mount component placement machines. Light systems are used to correctly align and position component parts. The sensor system consists of a light source and an optical lens system causing more of the light from a light source to pass the component in order to obtain a sharper component image on a sensor array. Due to the optical lens systems disclosed, either low powered lasers, light emitting diodes, or other suitable light sources can be used in the system since optical efficiency is substantially increased over prior systems since more of the radiated light is collected from the light source for measurement at the detector. The sensor system is mounted directly on the carrying mechanism for the surface mount component placement machine.

Abstract: A high speed, high precision laser-based semiconductor lead measurement system for use on surface mount component placement machines. A multi-beam laser system is used to accurately sense the position and condition of each of the many leads used on integrated circuits prior to their placement on a surface mount circuit board by a pick and place machine. Using two, three or four laser beams, the non-contact sensor system can, with the highest degree of resolution, determine lateral orientation, height, colinearity, and coplanarity of leads for integrated circuit components, even those having an ultra-fine pitch. Determination of the lead position by the invention is based on the integrated circuit leads occluding the light of one or more precisely directed and focused laser light sources. Each integrated circuit lead is passed nominally through the focal point of a laser beam. The position of each lead is determined when it blocks all or a portion of the light of the laser beam.

Abstract: A high speed, high precision laser-based semiconductor lead measurement system for use on surface mount component placement machines. A laser system is used to accurately sense the position and condition of each of the many leads used on integrated circuits prior to their placement on a surface mount circuit board by a pick and place machine. Using one, two or three laser beams, the non-contact sensor system can, with the highest degree of resolution, determine lateral orientation and coplanarity of leads for integrated circuit components, even those having an ultra-fine pitch. Determination of the lead position by the invention is based on the integrated circuit leads occluding the light of one or more precisely directed and focused laser light sources. Each integrated circuit lead is passed through the focal point of a laser beam. The position of each lead is determined when it blocks all or a portion of the light of the laser beam. A processor means is used to calculate the actual position of each lead.

Abstract: A laser based noncontact detection system is disclosed which is useful in automated manufacturing. The sensor system detects the presence or absence of an object that is either rotating or in some other continuous repetitive motion such as a rotating drill bit. This device is especially useful for detecting broken or absent drill bits used for drilling printed circuit boards. The system projects a laser beam onto the concave face of the flute near the tip of a drill bit and the amount of light which is reflected by the drill bit is sensed by a detector. The sensor is located at an angle oblique to the axis of rotation. Due to the rotation of the drill bit, fluctuating electronic signals are produced, detected and analyzed to determine the presence of the drill bit. The system automatically compensates for dust, debris and ambient light. Sensor positioning allows for greater drilling machine throughput since there is no need to fully retract the drill bit for breakage or damage detection.

Abstract: A high speed high precision laser based alignment sensor system for use on surface mount component placement machines. A laser system is utilized to correctly align and position component parts which range between 0.02 inches and 2.0 inches in size. The laser sensor system consists of a laser light source which is passed through a collimating lens and then through an aperture to create a stripe of collimated laser light which is focused past the component being aligned to strike a multi-element CCD sensor array. The sensor system is mounted directly on the carrying mechanism for the surface mount component placement machine. During transit of the component between the bin of components and the circuit board upon which the component is to be placed, the component is rotated and the shadow which falls on the detector array is monitored.

Abstract: A laser based, noncontacting measurement instrument is particularly adapted for the printed circuit board drilling industry to measure drill diameter, runout, and tip position under actual operating conditions. A laser beam is focused in space and the amount of light occluded by the drill bit as the bit is passed through the beam is sensed by a detector. Diameter, runout, and tip position are calculated by measuring the amount of occlusion, monitoring the position and angular orientation of the rotating drill, and correlating the amount of light occlusion to the position and angular orientation of the drill. The instrument automatically compensates for dust and debris in the optical path.

Abstract: High precision, non-contact sensors are disclosed which optically measure distances from the sensor head to the surface or surfaces under test. The modular design of the system allows a large selection of identically packaged sensor heads with differing ranges and resolutions. Built-in algorithms automatically adjust exposure time and process data to maximize accuracy for most applications. The sensor heads contain a laser diode source which features visible radiation as well as infrared radiation to faciltiate set-up and use of the system. A unique optical system focuses the laser beam on a detector array. That data is processed to determine distance for point range sensors and surface profile for line range sensors. High speed algorithms are employed for reducing the data from the imaging array in the sensor head to meaningful range data. To compensate for widely varying surfaces of the software can vary the exposure and laser power to yield a dynamic range of 10.sup.7.

Abstract: An optical system designed to obtain anamorphic magnification without increasing overall system package size and without diminishing post-magnification light levels. Specifically, an output light beam passes a collimating lens and enters a prism at a near normal incidence to produce slight angular minification. The prism is aligned so that the light exits the prism at a steep angle thereby providing large angular magnification. The beam may then be focused. Additional prisms, appropriate angles between prism faces or prism orientation may be used to obtain various magnification or deflection angles depending on the desired application of the prismatic anamorphic optical system.