Abstract: A method of picking a top component reel from a stack of component reels includes lowering a picking arm over a rod extending through the stack of component reels to above a top component reel of the stack, the arm comprising a plurality of alignment tabs and a gripper positioned such that, with the picking arm lowered the rod extends through the gripper and between the alignment tabs of the picking arm. The method includes actuating the alignment tabs to engage the rod and align the rod with respect to the picking arm, inserting a portion of the gripper into a hole of the top component reel, actuating the gripper to engage opposing inner surfaces of the top component reel at the hole of the top component reel, and with the gripper engaged, raising the picking arm to lift the top component reel from the stack of component reels.

Abstract: Implementations of the present disclosure include a component storage and retrieval system that includes a storage stack, an operator access station, and an automated elevator. The storage stack defines discrete tray storage locations. The operator access station includes a surface adapted to support a tray. The automated elevator moves a tray from the access station surface to a designated one of the discrete tray storage locations, and retrieves a selected tray from the storage stack and brings the selected tray to the access station. The access station includes a camera positioned such that a tray supported on the surface is within a field of view of the camera. The camera generates data representing an image of the tray, from which the system identifies a component on the tray, and determines where on the tray the component is located. The system communicates the identified location to an operator.

Abstract: A system for labeling a reel of electrical components includes an automated robotic manipulator movable between a reel grasping position and a reel releasing position; a sensor positioned to scan a label on a reel as the reel is moved by manipulator from the reel grasping position to the reel releasing position, to gather initial reel information; a label generator configured to generate a new label with information based at least in part on the initial reel information; and a label actuator positioned to affix the new label to the reel as the reel remains held by the manipulator. The sensor may be a barcode scanner. The label generator may be a label printer. The label actuator may be a pneumatic actuator. The system may also have a stack of reels to be labeled. Also included is output receptacle to receive the reel after the new label is affixed.

Abstract: A system for labeling a reel of electrical components includes an automated robotic manipulator movable between a reel grasping position and a reel releasing position; a sensor positioned to scan a label on a reel as the reel is moved by manipulator from the reel grasping position to the reel releasing position, to gather initial reel information; a label generator configured to generate a new label with information based at least in part on the initial reel information; and a label actuator positioned to affix the new label to the reel as the reel remains held by the manipulator. The sensor may be a barcode scanner. The label generator may be a label printer. The label actuator may be a pneumatic actuator. The system may also have a stack of reels to be labeled. Also included is output receptacle to receive the reel after the new label is affixed.

Abstract: A method of picking a top component reel from a stack of component reels includes lowering a picking arm over a rod extending through the stack of component reels to above a top component reel of the stack, the arm comprising a plurality of alignment tabs and a gripper positioned such that, with the picking arm lowered the rod extends through the gripper and between the alignment tabs of the picking arm. The method includes actuating the alignment tabs to engage the rod and align the rod with respect to the picking arm, inserting a portion of the gripper into a hole of the top component reel, actuating the gripper to engage opposing inner surfaces of the top component reel at the hole of the top component reel, and with the gripper engaged, raising the picking arm to lift the top component reel from the stack of component reels.

Abstract: An electronic component sequencing and insertion machine includes a set of component tape carrier holders each configured to receive a respective carrier containing a length of tape holding leads of a series of electronic components in spaced relation along the tape, and a set of component dispensers for sequentially dispensing individual electronic components for insertion into a printed circuit board, each component dispenser arranged to receive a corresponding tape from a corresponding one of the tape carrier holders, each component dispenser having an exposed input slot for threading a free end of the tape into the component dispenser at machine setup. Each component dispenser includes a tape color sensor downstream of the input slot, for verifying by tape color a polarity of components held by the tape as threaded into the component dispenser.

Abstract: In one aspect, detecting a splice connection along a component carrier tape extending from a component carrier tape feeder in a feeder slot on a pick-and-place machine having a pickup head is accomplished by scanning a section of a component carrier tape with a sensor, the sensor attached to the pick-and-place machine and positioned above or below a path of the component carrier tape, and detecting a splice connection with the sensor, the sensor generating a signal in response to detecting the splice connection such that the detection of the splice connection indicates the component carrier tape splice and such that the sensor is mounted such that relative position of the sensor with respect to the component carrier tape path is not affected by removal of the component carrier tape feeder slot or movement of the pickup head.

Abstract: In one aspect, detecting a splice connection along a component carrier tape extending from a component carrier tape feeder in a feeder slot on a pick-and-place machine having a pickup head is accomplished by scanning a section of a component carrier tape with a sensor, the sensor attached to the pick-and-place machine and positioned above or below a path of the component carrier tape, and detecting a splice connection with the sensor, the sensor generating a signal in response to detecting the splice connection such that the detection of the splice connection indicates the component carrier tape splice and such that the sensor is mounted such that relative position of the sensor with respect to the component carrier tape path is not affected by removal of the component carrier tape feeder slot or movement of the pickup head.

Abstract: Loading a component carrier strip carrying a series of discrete components to be assembled onto circuit boards is accomplished by first inserting a free end of the component carrier strip into a slot defined by a housing (e.g., a blind slot). Then, with the component carrier strip positioned in the slot, a physical orientation of a component marking that indicates polarity is indicated to a component placement machine, e.g., by manipulating a switch, or scanning a barcode. Thereafter, the component carrier strip is removed from the slot and loaded into the component placement machine, e.g., by splicing a leading edge of the component carrier strip onto a trailing edge of a previously loaded component carrier strip.

Abstract: A method of identifying electrical components picked from trays stacked in a tray tower of an electrical component placement machine includes placing identification tags on each tray. The tags contain data correlated to component part and lot number. As the stack of trays is moved into position for component picking, the tag of the upper tray is read by a tag reader. Gathered data is employed for component tracking, inventory control and setup verification.

Abstract: A method of monitoring electrical component moisture exposure includes calculating a remaining floor life value for a group of electrical component containers and a first container, based on an associated first moisture sensor's exposure to moisture; removing the first container from the group; creating an association between the removed first container and a second moisture sensor; and transferring the calculated remaining floor life value from the first moisture sensor for use with the second moisture sensor.

Abstract: A method of assembling multiple electronic components to a circuit board includes securing one electronic component to the circuit board, then, creating an association between that electronic component and an environmental condition recorder. The method further includes recording data from the environmental condition recorder. The recorded data indicates exposure of the secured electronic component to an environmental condition over time. The method also includes determining, based on the stored data, whether the secured electronic component is suitable for exposure to conditions associated with securing a second electronic component to the circuit board.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of monitoring an environmental condition associated with a container with a set of electronic components including attaching a moisture recorder to the container, the moisture recorder comprising a sensing element responsive to atmospheric moisture content, a memory storage device, and a processor electrically coupled to the sensing element and the memory storage device, the processor being configured to periodically receive information from the sensing element indicative of atmospheric moisture content and to store data in the memory storage device based on the received information.

Abstract: A method of assembling multiple electronic components to a circuit board includes securing one electronic component to the circuit board, then, creating an association between that electronic component and an environmental condition recorder. The method further includes recording data from the environmental condition recorder. The recorded data indicates exposure of the secured electronic component to an environmental condition over time. The method also includes determining, based on the stored data, whether the secured electronic component is suitable for exposure to conditions associated with securing a second electronic component to the circuit board.

Abstract: An electronic component placement machine is disclosed that includes a series of feeders adapted to supply discrete electronic components for subsequent placement onto a destination circuit board; at least one data module coupled to each feeder, each data module comprising a memory storage device; at least one communications module coupled to each feeder, each communications module comprising a data module-transceiver coupled to a memory storage device of the associated data module; a pick head, movable between selected feeders for sequentially picking the discrete electronic components from a respective feeders for subsequent placement onto a destination circuit board; and a pick head-transceiver secured to the pick head for movement therewith between feeders, the pick head-transceiver arranged to communicate over a duplex communications channel with a data module-transceiver of a selected feeder when the pick head is positioned to pick from the selected feeder.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of monitoring an environmental condition associated with a container with a set of electronic components including attaching a moisture recorder to the container, the moisture recorder comprising a sensing element responsive to atmospheric moisture content, a memory storage device, and a processor electrically coupled to the sensing element and the memory storage device, the processor being configured to periodically receive information from the sensing element indicative of atmospheric moisture content and to store data in the memory storage device based on the received information.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of associating a component source with a destination circuit board in a component placement machine equipped with a component carrier tape having a first portion positioned to deliver components for subsequent placement onto the destination circuit board and a second portion attached to the first portion by a splice. The method includes sequentially removing a plurality of components from the component carrier tape for subsequent placement onto a destination circuit board, beginning with the first portion of tape, scanning a section of the component carrier tape associated with each removed component using a scanner that is responsive to the splice and, finally, creating an association between the destination circuit board and the second portion of tape in response to the scanner detecting the splice.

Abstract: An electronic component placement machine is disclosed that includes a series of feeders adapted to supply discrete electronic components for subsequent placement onto a destination circuit board; at least one data module coupled to each feeder, each data module comprising a memory storage device; at least one communications module coupled to each feeder, each communications module comprising a data module-transceiver coupled to a memory storage device of the associated data module; a pick head, movable between selected feeders for sequentially picking the discrete electronic components from a respective feeders for subsequent placement onto a destination circuit board; and a pick head-transceiver secured to the pick head for movement therewith between feeders, the pick head-transceiver arranged to communicate over a duplex communications channel with a data module-transceiver of a selected feeder when the pick head is positioned to pick from the selected feeder.

Abstract: An electronic component pick and place machine has a series of key readers adjacent its component holder receptacles. The component holders (e.g., feeders) each have a machine-readable holder identification key attached on a flexible cable. When the holders are installed, their keys are inserted into the appropriate readers to be read by a controller to identify and locate the component holders. The controller initiates a holder placement verification check each time a new circuit board enters the machine to be populated, and updates a system component inventory database after each board build. The system database tracks the number and part number of the components loaded on each holder, as well as holder maintenance data.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of monitoring an environmental condition associated with a container with a set of electronic components including attaching a moisture recorder to the container, the moisture recorder comprising a sensing element responsive to atmospheric moisture content, a memory storage device, and a processor electrically coupled to the sensing element and the memory storage device, the processor being configured to periodically receive information from the sensing element indicative of atmospheric moisture content and to store data in the memory storage device based on the received information.