Abstract: An electronic component mounting apparatus includes a head unit, component supply device, camera unit, and controller controlling the head unit and component supply device. The component supply device has a holder holding electronic component accommodating tapes, each having storage cells arranged in a row, the storage cells storing electronic components, and a feeder forwarding the electronic component accommodating tapes and moving the storage cells to a suction area where the electronic component can be suctioned by the nozzle. The camera unit is fixed to a head support, and captures an image of the suction area. The controller analyzes the image of the suction area obtained by the camera unit. When the controller determines that a portion of the electronic component accommodating tape in the suction area is a spliced portion based on a result of the analysis, the controller determines that the electronic component accommodating tape is changed.

Abstract: The disclosure relates generally to methods and devices for taking care of elderly, disabled, or other dependents. The devices and methods may be useful for dependents that are not willing or able to live in an environment which has a caretaker physically present. Example devices and methods can facilitate communication between a caretaker and a dependent. Devices and methods can optionally facilitate disbursing medications remotely.

Abstract: An assembly system and method for assembling an aircraft wing box or other structure that may define an interior area accessible through at least one access opening are provided. The method includes inserting a robot having an assembly tool mounted thereto into the interior area through the at least one access opening. The assembly tool may be positioned at a fastener location, and may be clamped to the structure. A hole may be made through the structure, and a fastener may be installed in the hole.

Abstract: A termination tool assembly for terminating a fiber optic cable to a fiber optic connector includes a cam and a base for receiving the cam. The cam serves to rotationally activate a mechanical splice on a mechanical splice connector and thereby terminate the fiber optic cable. The fiber optic connector and fiber optic cable are axially received by the termination tool and are laterally removed from the termination tool after termination as a terminated fiber optic cable assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pin-less registration and inductive heating system involving the use of a pre-alignment station for imaging an initial position of a laminate element, an imaging and computer operation control system for determining a required correction factor between an alignment of the laminate element at the pre-alignment station and a preferred stack orientation for the laminate element, and an alignment and transfer system for securely gripping, transferring, and repositioning a laminate element from a top position to the preferred stack orientation employing a preferred four-axis orientation.

Abstract: A technique for processing an electronic apparatus (e.g., manufacturing an assembled circuit board, treating an assembled circuit board, etc.) involves applying encasement material to an area of the circuit board assembly while leaving at least a portion of the circuit board assembly exposed. The technique further involves causing the applied encasement material to harden (e.g., heating the encasement material in a curing oven, applying radiation, providing a chemical catalyst, etc.). Application and hardening of the encasement material may take place shortly after circuit board assembly (e.g., by automated equipment at a manufacturing facility in order to treat newly assembled boards) or at some later time in the field (e.g., by a technician servicing a legacy board).

Abstract: A circuit-substrate-related-operation performing apparatus for performing a circuit-substrate-related operation which is an operation on a circuit substrate, including: a plurality of heads including at least one work head and at least one detection head; a head holding device configured to hold, at a holding portion thereof, one of the plurality of heads; a moving device configured to move the head holding device; a head stock device in which the plurality of heads are stocked; and a controller configured to control the circuit-substrate-related-operation performing apparatus, wherein the controller includes a head attachment control portion configured to control the moving device and the head holding device such that the head holding device is moved to a set position which is set with respect to the head stock device and such that an arbitrary one of the plurality of heads is held by the head holding device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for aligning one or more components while attaching the component to a substrate. The component is positioned over the substrate. An alignment tool is attachable to the component. The alignment tool includes a tool alignment element, an optical tool, and a substrate alignment element attached to the substrate. The tool alignment element being alignable with the substrate alignment element such that the components are positioned at specified locations on the substrate for attachment to the substrate. Further, in the method according to the disclosure, the tool alignment element aligning with the substrate alignment element to position one or more components at a specified location on the substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting semiconductor chips as flip chips on a substrate includes a chip supply, a pick-and-place system with a bonding head having a chip gripper, a flipping apparatus operable to rotate the chip from a first position to a second (flipped) position through an angle with a gripper and two cameras. The first camera determines a position of the chip before the flipping apparatus receives the chip and also determines a position of the flipped chip received by the chip gripper of the bonding head once the flipping apparatus has transferred the chip to it. The apparatus also comprises an optical switch, e.g., a rotatable mirror located in the field of view of the first camera. The mirror operates to rotate with the gripper of the flipping apparatus but at half the angle.

Abstract: An assembly facilitation apparatus for assembling and seating bearings on a gearbox pinion. The apparatus includes a bearing cup support for holding a bearing for assembly onto a pinion and an arm operatively connected to the bearing cup support. The arm is configured to engage the pinion and seat a bearing on a first portion of the pinion by moving the pinion axially in a first direction relative to the bearing.

Abstract: A positioning apparatus for transferring at least one electronic component, in particular a chip, from a first flat support to at least one predetermined location on a second flat support which extends parallel to the first support, comprising an ejection device for removing the component from the first support by means of an ejection movement, wherein a camera device is provided for detecting position data of the predetermined location, of the component to be removed from the first support and optionally of the ejection device, which together with the camera device are arranged essentially on an imaginary common straight line. A positioning method is also described.

Abstract: A method and kit for confirming the position of at least one variably positionable turbine vane is disclosed herein. The method includes the step of mounting at least one camera on an exterior of an at least partially assembled turbine engine. The method also includes the step of generating visual data with the at least one camera corresponding to a position of a turbine vane actuation structure positioned on the exterior of the at least partially assembled turbine engine.

Abstract: A photovoltaic cell manufacturing method includes: forming a photoelectric converter which has a plurality of compartment elements that are separated by a scribing line and in which adjacent compartment elements are electrically connected; detecting a structural defect existing in the compartment element; specifying a position in which the structural defect exists, as distance data indicating a distance between the structural defect and the scribing line that is closest to the structural defect; and removing a region in which the structural defect exists based on the distance data.

Abstract: A method of three-dimensional object location and guidance to allow robotic manipulation of an object with variable position and orientation using a sensor array which is a collection of one or more sensors capable of forming a single image.

Abstract: Provided are an imaging device production system, an imaging device inspection system, and an imaging device inspection method. The imaging device production system includes a assembling process for assembling each components constituting an imaging device, an inspection process in which the imaging device assembled in he assembling process is continuously transferred without being stopped except for emergency when two inspection tasks adjacent to and different from each other are performed, and a packaging for packaging the imaging device which passes through the inspection tasks to confirm quality of the imaging device.

Abstract: A panel is mounted on the stage while the one end electrode of the FPC (flexible board) is mounted on the mounting part of one surface of the panel and the other surface of the panel is facing upward. A mounting method includes bending the other end side of the flexible board, after holding the other end portion including the other end electrode, which is positionally adjusted based on the position recognition result of the mounting portion the press tool recognizing the position of the other end electrode, matching the positions of the mounting portion and the other end electrode by relative positional adjusting, and mounting the other end electrode on the mounting portion by temporarily pressing the other end electrode on the mounting portion.

Abstract: A wire harness projection guidance system comprises a support stand for supporting a wire harness board used to construct a wire harness. A projector is mounted to the support stand for projecting an image onto a wire harness board supported on the support stand. A memory stores data representing wire route for each of a plurality of individual wires in a wire harness. A programmed processing system is operatively coupled to the memory and the projector for generating a series of images to be projected by the projector. Each image in the series represents one of the stored wire routes for an associated individual wire.

Abstract: An assembly system and method for assembling an aircraft wing box or other structure that may define an interior area accessible through at least one access opening are provided. The method includes inserting a robot having an assembly tool mounted thereto into the interior area through the at least one access opening. The assembly tool may be positioned at a fastener location, and may be clamped to the structure. A hole may be made through the structure, and a fastener may be installed in the hole.

Abstract: Provided is a chip mounter for recognizing a Ball Grid Array (BGA) package through a chip mounter. The chip mounter includes a BGA package recognition apparatus which includes an image acquisition unit which acquires image information of a BGA package which includes a plurality of solder balls having n patterns (n?1), a pattern recognition unit which analyzes the image information and outputs information about the BGA package, and a storage unit which stores the information about the BGA package, wherein the pattern recognition unit recognizes the n patterns, selects n seeds respectively corresponding to the n patterns and performs a seed growing operation which groups solder balls which are continuously located adjacent to the seed and have the same pattern as the seed into the same group as the seed, with respect to each of the n seeds.

Abstract: A rivet tool capable of measuring size of blind rivet has a body and multiple interchangeable nosepieces. The body further has multiple rivet body measuring holes formed through the body. Diameters of the rivet body measuring holes match rivet bodies of corresponding blind rivets. Accordingly, the rivet tool of the present invention employs the rivet body measuring holes to measure a size of a rivet body of a blind rivet to rapidly, conveniently and correctly obtain a size of a rivet body of a blind rivet and further to correctly choose a nosepiece with a matching size.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide an electronic component mounting system formed by interlinking a plurality of electronic component mounting machines in series for enabling a machine operator to be prevented from mistaking the machine to which an operation section or a signal tower belongs for another. In each of machines M1 to M5 making up an electronic component mounting system formed by interlinking a plurality of machines in series, an operation section 4 placed to one direction side from a center in the board conveying direction of the machine on a machine side face MS is placed in an attitude in which the normal direction of an operation face 4a is inclined toward the center line CL side. A signal tower 22 placed to one direction side from a center line CL on the top face of the machine is placed in an attitude in which at least one portion is inclined only at an angle ? toward the center line CL side.

Abstract: A fitting head has a sleeve receptacle and a widener, the fitting head being displaceable forward/backward in the direction of the longitudinal axis of a wire. Also arranged on the fitting head are a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter generates a curtain-like beam that is positioned between the sleeve receptacle and the widener and can be measured by the receiver. Like the sleeve receptacle and the widener, transmitter and receiver are displaceable forward/backward in the longitudinal axis of the wire, during the forward movement the wire fitting or sleeve being fitted onto the wire and during the backward movement the sleeve being positionally measured. The movement of the fitting head is measured by a stationary measuring head and a scale that moves together with the fitting head. During evaluation of the measurement results, fitting faults are detected.

Abstract: A crimping tool with detachable cable connector tester includes a crimper body for crimping a signal connector to a cable, two pressing handles, and at least one cable connector tester. Therein, the two pressing handles are movably connected with the crimper body and have at least one fastening groove, the cable connector tester is detachably set in the fastening groove, and thereby construction workers can use the crimping tool to crimp the signal connector with the cable. After crimping, the signal connector can be inserted into the cable connector tester that is selectively attached with the crimping tool, so as to test the conduction between the signal connector and the cable.

Abstract: Exemplary system and process for assembling a camera module are provided. The system includes a worktable, a light intensity sensor, a lens module holding device and a controlling unit. The worktable provide placement of the image sensor module thereon, thus a center of the image sensor having a coordinate value thereof. The lens module holding device can hold and move the lens module above the worktable, and it has a light source to emit parallel light that converged at a focus point, wherein the light intensity sensor can detect the focus point location and generating a signal associated with a coordinate value of the focus point. The controlling unit can receive the signal and instruct the lens module holding device to move the lens module toward the image sensor module so that the optical axis of the lens module is aligned with the center of the image sensor.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a new and improved method and apparatus for monitoring torque and joint conditions during the manufacturing process, particularly in the automobile industry. For a desired assembly of automobile members and fasteners is encountered during manufacturing, the optimal torque data and optimal joint data are retrieved from the data storage device. The tension sensor and the rotation sensor monitor the torque condition and joint condition and direct a controller to send torque instruction until the optimal torque condition and optimal joint condition are achieved.

Abstract: A riveting system is operable to join two or more workplaces with a rivet. In another aspect of the present invention, a self-piercing rivet is employed. Still another aspect of the present invention employs an electronic control unit and one or more sensors to determine a riveting characteristic and/or an actuator characteristic.

Abstract: A crimping tool with detachable cable connector tester includes a crimper body for crimping a signal connector to a cable, two pressing handles, and at least one cable connector tester. Therein, the two pressing handles are movably connected with the crimper body and have at least one fastening groove, the cable connector tester is detachably set in the fastening groove, and thereby construction workers can use the crimping tool to crimp the signal connector with the cable. After crimping, the signal connector can be inserted into the cable connector tester that is selectively attached with the crimping tool, so as to test the conduction between the signal connector and the cable.

Abstract: A window glass can be accurately and preferably mounted by correcting a displacement of a curved surface shape of the window glass in the crosswise direction even when there is a displacement of the curved surface shape of the window glass in the crosswise direction. A slit laser beam is irradiated with from slit laser beam irradiators 12c and 12d across the right and left ends of the window glass 6, the circumference of a window glass mounting opening 8, and a windshield pillar section 11; rotation adjustment of the window glass 6 is performed, based on a processed image obtained by image processing of images, which have been photographed with a CCD cameras 10c and 10d, of the slit laser beams, in such a way that clearances in the pressing direction at the right and left ends of the window glass 6 are the same as each other; and the window glass 6 is pressed onto a window glass mounting surface on the circumference of the window glass mounting opening 8 for mounting onto the surface.

Abstract: A rivet setting tool having a motor driven hydraulic pump is disclosed. The rivet setting tool incorporates a fastener setting verification system configured to monitor changes pump drive motor current to determine if a particular fastener set is acceptable.

Abstract: A component mounting apparatus includes one head unit which has a component holding member capable of holding a component and which is selected from among a plurality of types of head units according to a type of the fed component, a head moving unit which has a head fitting portion onto which the selected one head unit is removably loaded and which moves the head unit loaded on the head fitting portion in a direction extending generally along a surface of the board, and a head control unit which is provided for each of the head units and which performs control for component mounting operation by a head unit corresponding to the loaded head unit.

Abstract: A component-embedded board fabrication method includes detecting, before the board is covered with a first insulating layer, the actual position of a first electronic component formed on a surface of the board, calculating a displacement between the design position of the first electronic component on the surface of the board and holding the displacement as first displacement data, and correcting, based on the first displacement data, design data to be used for processing the board after the board is covered with the first insulating layer.

Abstract: A manual tool for inserting a clip (10) with elastic coupling in a seat, comprises a body (23) from which protrudes a pusher (32) for the clip and comprises sensor means (34) for detecting the thrust force of the pusher. An electronic controller (24) receives a force signal from this sensor means (34) and emits a signal (25, 26) reporting correct or incorrect insertion depending on the pattern of the force signal detected during the insertion of a clip. A movable gauging element is advanced during the insertion thrust of the clip to detect the correct expansion of the clip at the end of insertion.

Abstract: A valve stem installation system (10) includes a conveyor (24) for moving wheel (14). A controller (60) is adaptable for segmenting the wheel (14) into a plurality of sections (S1-S11). A detector (70) identifies and signals a general location of the aperture (12) to the controller (60) to identify a target section (S11) transmitted to the controller (60) by a first signal. A robotic manipulator (110, 112) is operably connected to the controller (60) and adaptable for inserting the valve stem into the aperture (12). A sensor (153) is connected to the robotic manipulator (110, 112) and is adaptable for visually identifying the target section (S11) and transmitting the general location of the aperture (12) within the target section by a second signal. The controller (60) generates a target signal transmitted to the robotic manipulator (110, 112) to increase the speed and accuracy of mating the valve stem into the aperture (12) in response to the target signal.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an unfailing pickup operation of an electronic component from a component storage portion at a seam of storage tapes connected even using a connection tape and prevention of reduction in a pickup rate of an electronic component. A CPU sends a feeding command to a component feeding unit to perform a component feeding operation or the like. Then, when the CPU judges that a connection tape reaches a pickup position, the CPU drives an X axis drive motor and a Y axis drive motor to move a board recognition camera to the pickup position of the feeding unit, the camera takes an image of a storage portion of a storage tape, and a recognition processing device performs recognition processing. A correction value based on a result of this recognition processing is stored in a RAM, and a suction nozzle is moved taking this correction value into account and lowers to pick up an electronic component.

Abstract: There is provided a container for transporting objects. The container has an interior to hold at least one object. An exemplary container comprises an inner box and an outer box. The exemplary container also comprises at least one sensor for detecting measured data relating to the object, the at least one sensor being located between the inner box and the outer box. The exemplary container additionally comprises at least one transponder connected to the at least one sensor.

Abstract: A tool is disclosed for remotely inspecting and/or treating welds, pipes, vessels and/or other components used in reactor coolant systems or other process applications to, among other things, mitigate stress corrosion cracking in the welds, pipes, vessels and/or other components. The tool is placed at the entrance to a pipe or vessel and walks into the pipe or vessel to a pre-selected weld, pipe or vessel location or other component. Upon reaching the pre-selected weld, pipe or vessel location or other component, the tool anchors itself, then advances an end effector to inspect and/or treat the pre-selected weld, pipe or vessel location or other component.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to realize a hold posture inspection of a plurality of components sucked by a plurality of nozzle rows provided on a head with a single scanning operation, thereby reducing the time for the hold posture inspection and improving the accuracy thereof. In order to achieve such objections, the present invention includes: a head on which at least two nozzle rows are disposed, each of which includes at least one nozzle; a circuit board holding unit for holding a circuit board on which components conveyed by the head are mounted; and an inspection unit, provided on a moving path of the head from a supplying unit to the circuit board holding unit, for inspecting hold postures of the components held by the nozzles of the head and including sensors for posture inspection independent for the respective nozzle rows.

Abstract: Regarding a singulation apparatus for singulating a resin encapsulated substrate to manufacture an electronic component, the present invention brings about shortening the delivery period, reducing the footprint, and reducing the cost in compliance with a specification requested by a user. A singulation apparatus for an electronic component has: a basic unit including a receiving unit, singulation unit, and delivery unit; a cleaning unit mounted between the singulation unit and the delivery unit; and an examination unit mounted on the cleaning unit. The singulation unit is appropriately selected in accordance with the requested specification by the user, and a cutting mechanism used in the singulation unit has a rotary blade, water jet, laser light, wire saw, band saw, etc. The cleaning unit and examination unit, both mounted on the basic unit, are each appropriately selected and mounted in accordance with the requested specification by the user.

Abstract: In a linear driving mechanism for electronic component mounting apparatus that performs mounting operation for mounting an electronic component on a substrate and linearly drives a transfer beam 8 in a Y direction using a linear motor, an object to be driven and the linear motor are disposed such that a position P of thrust generated by the linear motor for driving the transfer beam 8 in the Y direction approximately corresponds to a central position D1 of inertial resistance of the object to be driven comprising movable portions such as transfer beam 8, loading head 9, and transfer plate 12. Accordingly, twisting moment applied to the transfer beam 8 due to inertial force is eliminated in acceleration/deceleration, and loading position accuracy is ensured and a component life can be lengthened.

Abstract: A novel method and apparatus useful for the installation of a flame cone within a respective throughbore in the head of an ICE having a pre-ignition system without removal of the head from the ICE, followed by threading a spark plug into the outboard end of the flame cone. This installation is effected from a location external of the head and while the head is affixed in covering relationship to one or more combustion chambers of the internal combustion engine. The installation further comprises employing unique interconnection between the flame cone and an installation tool. The flame cone includes a rotational position indicator which is aligned with an exit port in the flame cone and which contributes to the exclusivity of mating interconnection with the tool in a manner which converts rotational movements of the tool to like rotational movements of the flame cone, hence like rotation of the location of the exit port.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention improve upon component level inspection performed by pick and place machines. Such improvements include using a position sensitive device that measures the position of the placement head relative to the workpiece as the placement head travels towards and away from the workpiece during a placement cycle. The output of this sensor is used to selectably trigger the acquisition of the images used to measure a placement characteristic of the component placement machine.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for facilitating validation of component feeder exchanges in pick and place machines are provided. A pre-exchange image of a component from a feeder is acquired and compared with an image a component from the exchanged feeder placed after the feeder exchange. A comparison of the pre-exchange image with the post-exchange image facilitates simple and quick feeder exchange validation. Aspects of the present invention are practicable with different types of pick and place machines, and are able to advantageously use sensors and/or technician supplied information to generate automatic indications of feeder exchange validity.

Abstract: This invention provides an electronic component mounting apparatus which can detects an electronic component held by a suction nozzle without fail after a mounting operation of electronic components on a printed board and perform various processes in a case where the electronic component is held by the suction nozzle.

Abstract: The invention provides a manufacturing apparatus in which inter-substrate transfer of a thin film circuit or a thin film element can automatically be performed. An apparatus for manufacturing electronic devices includes a laser device to generate laser beams, a masking unit having a masking substrate to shape beam spots of the laser beams, a first stage to place a first substrate, which carries a object to be transferred, a second stage to place a second substrate, to which the object to be transferred is transferred, an adhesive agent applying unit to apply an adhesive agent on the object to be transferred or on a transferred position on the second substrate, and a control unit to control the actions of the first and the second stages.

Abstract: In a board placement method and system, a PCB panel having multiple interconnected PCB units and a vacant space is placed on a work surface of a reference platform. The work surface has an opening corresponding to the vacant space. The reference platform has a micro-adjusting unit, which includes a support seat disposed in the opening and movable along three directions. The support seat is used for placement of a good PCB unit. The current positions of the PCB panel and the good PCB unit are measured so as to calculate a target position of the good PCB unit and an error between the target position and the current position of the good PCB unit. The micro-adjusting unit can drive the support seat to move so as to move the good PCB unit to the target position. The good PCB unit is then fixed in the vacant space.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention improve upon component level inspection performed by pick and place machines. Such improvements include inspecting the pick operation in pick and place machines by collecting images of the pick event inside the machine and identifying errors as they happen. By detecting and displaying this information as it generated on the machine, the operator or machine can take prompt and effective corrective actions.

Abstract: A hydraulic tool including a frame having a hydraulic fluid conduit system; a hydraulic pump coupled to the conduit system; and a tactile feedback system. The tactile feedback system is coupled to the conduit system and is adapted to signal a user of an occurrence of a predetermined event.

Abstract: In a board placement method and system, a PCB panel having multiple interconnected PCB units and a vacant space is placed on a work surface of a reference platform. The work surface has an opening corresponding to the vacant space. The reference platform has a micro-adjusting unit, which includes a support seat disposed in the opening and movable along three directions. The support seat is used for placement of a good PCB unit. The current positions of the PCB panel and the good PCB unit are measured so as to calculate a target position of the good PCB unit and an error between the target position and the current position of the good PCB unit. The micro-adjusting unit can drive the support seat to move so as to move the good PCB unit to the target position. The good PCB unit is then fixed in the vacant space.

Abstract: Reference marks arranged at specified intervals on a glass board are recognized, and from its recognition results, offset values for individual areas matching the board size are determined as numerical values for correction use, and further corresponding offset values for individual movement positions of a component placing head are reflected as numerical values for correction use in operation of placing position correction, mark recognition correction, or measurement of placing position offset values, respectively. Thus, high-accuracy placing is achieved. Moreover, correction of positional displacement of a component holding member due to an inclination of the component placing head is performed.

Abstract: A pressing tool (13) includes a fluid pump (4), a cylinder element (5) arranged connecting with this and a piston which can be slid forward in the cylinder element (5) by pressure fluid of the fluid pump (4) and reset by a return spring (20a). A piston rod (6) is passed out to the cylinder element (5) as an activation part. The pressing tool (13) is moreover outfitted with a position measuring device (12, 12a; 112, 212, 212a) which measures without contact which makes the piston position continuously detectable over a positioning range free of disturbance and with a presence sensor (52). The presence sensor (52) verifies the presence of a jointing clamp (51) and issues an indicator signal in the event that a jointing clamp (51) is missing or improperly fastened and shuts the pressing tool (13) off following a delay period to the extent that no orderly inserted jointing clamp (51) is yet available.