Abstract: In an apparatus for mounting electronic components, punched out from film carriers to a substrate, there is disclosed an upper die for punching the electronic components through a hole formed in a lower die. A take out nozzle is located under the through hole for sucking the punched out electronic component from the hole in the lower die. A transfer nozzle is provided for receiving the electronic component from the take out nozzle and for transmitting the electronic component to a substrate mounted on a movable table. Before any leadwires of the component are bonded to the electrodes of the substrate, the table is finely positioned to property align the leadwires and the electrodes.

Abstract: The invention relates to an automatic connection machine having at least two connecting devices for connecting connexion elements equipping the ends of electrical conductors into connector housings. The device (5) comprises:a body (7) which can be displaced in the direction of the connector (4);an insertion member (8) provided with means for grasping the connexion element (2) to be inserted into the corresponding housing of the connector (4);removable means for fixing the insertion meet (8) to said body ( 7 ); and,means for controlling said grasping means, associated with the body (7) and capable of assuming, when the insertion member (8) is locked, a first position, in which the grasping means hold the connexion element (2) and enable it to be inserted into the corresponding housing of the connector, and a second position, in which the grasping means release the connexion element which is then connected in the connector housing.

Abstract: An eyewinder system 10 has stations 100-108 for straightening, bending, measuring and transporting a wire 11 to form an eyewire 109. A controller 120 controls each station. Using information from tension and length measuring stations 104, 105, the controller 120 can accurately operate the second bending station 107. The eyewire 109 is inspected for accurate bends by an inspection system 140 that compares the bends in the eyewire 109 to predetermined radii of curvature.

Abstract: The assembly guiding apparatus for wiring harness subassemblies facilitates assembly work by indicating the connector to be used and displaying the terminal insertion position in the connector. The apparatus comprises: a plurality of connector boxes 3 containing connectors, each of which is provided with an indicator lamp 4 and a light interception sensor 5 facing a connector pick-up opening 14; an incrementing sensor 8 installed on the pick-up side of terminated wires 7 that are arranged in line on a wire supporting device 6; an indicator 10 that indicates with light a contour of the connector 2 and positions of terminal accommodating chambers in the connector 2; and a controller 13 incorporating a CPU and a memory, both connected to the indicator lamp, the light interception sensor, the incrementing sensor and the indicator.

Abstract: A tooling and procedure for installing a plurality of throttle plates onto a single throttle shaft all at the same time, using arbors/plungers secured to a tool holder, each of the arbors having a lower face surface with a suction provision for retaining a throttle plate against it for transport into one of several bores in a throttle body while allowing the throttle plates to be aligned with and attached to a flat on the throttle shaft. Limited lateral movement between the arbors/plungers provides for independent centering of each arbor/plunger relative to its bore, allowing simultaneous installation of a number of throttle plates.

Abstract: A pick and place machine (30) having morphing vacuum tip (10) comprises a chamber (24) having a sealed first port (25), a filter (22) on a second port (27), and a vacuum (12) on a third port (23), a needle (28) pierced through the sealed first port and through the filter on the second port, wherein a vacuum (14) is placed on the portion of the needle piercing through the sealed first port. Finally, the morphing vacuum tip additionally comprises a non-porous bag (18) having a plurality of fine particles (16) within the bag and an external portion of the bag surrounding a periphery of a portion of the needle pierced through the filter on the second port, the non-porous bag having an open portion being exposed to an external side of the filter on the second port of the chamber, wherein the vacuum on the third port sucks air out of the non-porous bag and the filter prevents the plurality of fine particles from entering the chamber.

Abstract: An automated pick-and-place apparatus for assembling a printed circuit board includes a housing portion for housing a plurality of electronic component dispensing mechanisms. A packaging portion is included in which selected component dispensing units are placed from which components are individually picked by a mounting device and mounted on the printed circuit board in predetermined locations. Each of the component dispensing units is provided with a data storage unit for reading and writing type and quantity information concerning the respective electronic components. A production manager determines the types and quantities of electronic components needed for production of a variety of printed circuit boards and generates a production schedule depending upon the type of board to be assembled. A control device controls operation of the mounting device, read write means and transfer means for controlling assembly of the printed circuit board in accordance with the production manager.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing suture-needle assemblies in which the suture thread is connected to the needle shank through the provision of heat shrinkable tubing. The apparatus for securing the heat shrink tubing to the shank of the needle essentially comprises a needle holder, a heat source, a video camera and monitor device and means for insuring heating of the tubing only at the shank. An apparatus is also disclosed for securing the suture thread to the needle shank where the needle shank is already provided with the heat shrink tubing secured thereon. The apparatus for securing the suture thread to the needle shank includes a needle holder, a heat source, a heat cover to create a heating chamber, as well as video camera and monitor means to enlarge the image for an operator, as well as temperature regulating equipment.

Abstract: An electronic component observation system includes a transparent stage for supporting thereon an electronic component which is being held by a vacuum nozzle of a transfer head, a lighting unit for illuminating outer leads of the electronic component from the above, and a camera for observing the outer leads from the underside of the transparent stage. When the electronic component being held by the vacuum nozzle is placed on the state, a deformation the outer leads is rectified. The lighting unit may include a presser portion engageable with the outer leads to force the outer leads against the stage, thereby positively shaping the outer leads into a correct form.

Abstract: There is disclosed an automatic terminal crimping apparatus (1) which comprises a cable cutting station (3), a mark positioning station (4), a mark location rotating station (5), a stripping station (6) and a terminal crimping station (7). The mark positioning station (4) includes a television camera (14) for image processing which senses a discrimination mark (8) of a high-voltage resistant cable (2), and circumferentially rotates the high-voltage resistant cable (2) and stops the rotation upon detection of the discrimination mark (8). At the mark location rotating station (5), the high-voltage resistant cable (2) positioned at the mark positioning station (4) is circumferentially rotated through a predetermined angle to orient the discrimination mark 8 in a predetermined direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling mechanical components, and particularly in a mass-production line, includes a fixture to clamp and support the component and a flexible connector for supporting the combined weight of the fixture and the component. The fixture is particularly configured to position the center of gravity of the fixture and the component in substantial vertical alignment with the flexible connector so that the component is oriented for direct assembly to the structure. The apparatus is particularly useful for assembling the components of an automobile, such as the doors, to its body with little or no manual manipulation on the part of a worker.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mounting components on a substrate that insures that if the component, because of its shape can only be mounted if picked up in a specific area will not attempt mounting unless the component is picked up in that specific area. Various methods for setting and determining desirable pick up locations are disclosed.

Abstract: An electronic parts mounting apparatus includes a plurality of parallel parts feeder units each of which accommodates a plurality of electronic parts and sequentially feeds the electronic parts to a predetermined parts pickup position; the parts feeder units being arranged in parallel so as to form a parts feeding section; a positioning device for positioning a member on which the electronic parts are to be mounted; a parts mounting device which seizes each of the electronic parts at a predetermined position of the parts feeding section and which mounts each of the electronic parts on the member; and a detection device for detecting a distal end of each of the parts feeder units so as to determine whether a particular parts feeder unit deviates from a present position.

Abstract: A tightening fixture for tightening a lock nut on a chuck including a torque readout device for measuring the torque applied to tighten the lock nut. The tightening fixture includes a stationary support block having a torque transmitting collar rotatively mounted therein. The torque transmitting collar is designed to receive and hold the chuck so that the chuck is held nonrotatable with respect to the collar. When torque is applied to tighten the lock nut on the chuck, the chuck and collar rotate as a unit. A torque indicator is mounted in the stationary block and is responsive to the rotation of the torque transmitting collar to provide an indication of the torque applied to tighten the lock nut.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for substantially automatically joining front and back parts of buttons employs a turntable with retaining means that are rotated through a series of stations at which the parts are placed in the retaining means in a desired orientation, joined, and checked for defects. A human operator places button front parts at a first station, and the remaining stations carry out the assembly and quality control steps automatically. Placement at the first station determines the alignment and orientation of the two buttons.

Abstract: A machine used to populate printed circuit boards (PCB) with surface mount electrical components, wherein an elongated PCB-carrying Y table intersects an elongated turret-carrying X oriented carriage structure intermediate a Y table component placement zone. Left and right vacuum quill-carrying turrets are independently movable along the carriage structure, the quills being movable in a Z direction, and the quills in each respective turret being adapted to pick-up selected components from respective left and right multiple feeder stations while the quills in the other turret simultaneously deposits components on a PCB supported on the Y table in the placement zone.

Abstract: A tool structure includes an outer housing formed of upper and lower tube structure coaxially mounting a punch member therebetween, with the punch member having a collar and a spring interposed between the collar and an abutment flange of a lower portion of the housing. In this manner, the punch member includes a punch head having a receiving socket to position the tool structure overlying a component of a motherboard for permitting projection of the component relative to the motherboard minimizing damage to the component.

Abstract: A wire crimping machine automatically adjusts the crimping means to the proper crimp depth for a selected size of wire and the size of the contact to be crimped onto the wire. The size of wire to be crimped is selected by the operator. As a wire is inserted into the machine for crimping, an arrangement of light emitting diodes, photo diodes, and associated circuits determine the wire's size and whether the wire is stripped. The crimping means is allowed to actuate only if the wire is stripped and the wire's size is the same as that selected by the operator.

Abstract: A machine for automatically joining front and back parts of buttons employs a turntable with nests that are rotated through a series of stations at which the parts are placed in the nests in a desired orientation, joined, and checked for defects. Orientation of the parts is achieved by video imaging of a first part as it is randomly placed in a nest, and computer-controlled placement of the second part based on the ascertained position of the first part.

Abstract: A production installation comprises carriages supporting pallet trays carrying structural components or individual parts for assembly or processing, identical couplings for detachably coupling each one of the pallet trays to a respective carriage, a container for the structural components or individual parts readily exchangeably arranged on each pallet tray, a conveyor track comprised of individual and separable conveyor track sections, each conveyor track section comprising vertical and lateral guideways for the carriages, and a feed device at each conveyor track section operable for conveying the carriages independently of each other along the vertical and lateral guideways of the conveyor track.

Abstract: A guidance type placement apparatus for placing and mounting integrated circuit (IC) components or devices, especially fine pitch integrated circuit devices (FPD), in aligned combination with printed circuit boards. The apparatus includes a mechanical positioning subsystem, an image acquisition/processing subsystem, a master control subsystem, and optionally, a heater array subsystem. The mechanical positioning subsystem is sequentially operative to position the circuit board and IC device for the generation of images thereof, to align the IC device with a designated placement site on the board, and to mount the IC device in aligned combination with the board. The image acquisition subsystem is operative to generate images of at least one pair of diagonally opposed corners of the placement site and IC device from the same optical perspective. Images generated by the image acquisition subsystem provide feedback control to regulate the placement process to attain and verify lead-to-pad alignment.

Abstract: A parts mounting device for precisely positioning parts and discriminating whether such position is proper wherein a recognition member recognizes parts and mounting lands on a printed circuit board and such information is processed to achieve a properly mounted part.

Abstract: Two parts to be bonded together, such as a circuit board and a chip, are brought into one-above-the-other relationship, and before bonding is performed, a detecting device with an upper opening and a lower opening is set between the two parts, and by the use of optical system that is lights which passes through the openings, a positional alignment between the two parts is performed by correcting any discrepancy between the two so that the two parts are properly set one on the other and accurate bonding is executed to the two parts.

Abstract: An electronic parts mounting apparatus, has a part mounting head on which nozzles for holding different sized electronic parts can be exchangeably mounted; the suction nozzles each having a reflection member thereon for receiving light from below a suction end of the nozzle and reflecting it past the suction end of the nozzle; a recognizing device below the part mounting head for receiving light from the direction of the part mounting head; a first illuminating device adjacent the recognizing device for directing illuminating light to a reflection member on a nozzle on the part mounting head for causing the reflecting member to reflect the illuminating light past a part held on the suction nozzle to direct a transmitted light image of the part to the recognizing device; a shutter movable toward and away from the part mounting head adjacent a position of a nozzle thereon for, when the shutter moves toward a nozzle, engaging the nozzle and blocking light from the first illuminating device from reaching a reflec

Abstract: The geometric features of a supported component in a machine for mounting surface mount electronic components are either frontlighted or backlighted for inspection purposes. To backlight the features a fluorescent surface above the component is excited with UV light. Since UV light reflected from the component is invisible to the camera system, the features will appear black with a bright background. To frontlight the features, a light source is used which generates light outside the UV range and a) having a wavelength corresponding to the wavelength of the UV fluorescing surface so that no fluorescent is created or b) having a wavelength substantially different from the UV fluorescing surface that is absorbed by the surface without causing fluorescing to take place. This light when reflected from the features is seen by the camera and the features will appear bright in a dark background.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an apparatus for packaging a semiconductor flip chip on a substrate by face-down bonding in which coherent light is used to irradiate a bonding head and the substrate, and the light reflected by the bonding head and the substrate form interference patterns. Adjustment of the inclination of the bonding head against the substrate is performed by observation of the interference fringes caused by the interference between the light reflected by the bonding head and the light reflected by the substrate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for semi-automating the termination of randomly selected conductors (50) of a harness (48) into the correct cavities (44) of a connector (46) is disclosed and includes a fixture (34) to hold the connector (46), a light device (30) for positioning a spot of light (42) on a designated cavity (44) which is to receive either a moisture plug (87) or a randomly selected conductor (50) for termination, a computer (26) to provide control signals to move the spot to the correct cavity (44) and a voice data-link (28) connected to the computer (26) to verbally transfer information, including direction and confirmation, between the computer (26) and the operator.

Abstract: A parts mounting apparatus includes a structure (34) on which a spindle (31) is supported to be movable up and down, and the spindle has a vacuum suction path (36). Either a normal nozzle (50) or a nozzle for image recognition (141) can be attached to a lower end of the spindle. When the normal nozzle is attached to the spindle, parts positioning jaws (61a-62b) supported on the structure performs a centering operation of the parts sucked to the normal nozzle in accordance with vertical movement of the spindle by a cam device (90) and a motor (93). When the nozzle for image recognition is attached to the spindle, a CPU (201) controls the motor so that rise of the spindle can be stopped before the nozzle for image recognition enters an operating region of the jaws.

Abstract: A hand-operated device for the precise positioning of electronic components on a printed circuit board (PCB) to assist in the assembly, repair or rework of PCB's. The device has a base ring with three adjustable-length legs which rest on or straddle the PCB. An x-ring is slidably mounted to the base ring and is moved in the direction of the x-axis by an actuator. A y-ring is slidably mounted to the x-ring and is moved in the direction of the y-axis by an actuator. A .theta.-ring is removably mounted on the y-ring and can rotate about the z-axis. A hub, which houses the z-actuator, is supported within the .theta.-ring by one or more arms. A grasping device, such as a vacuum gripper, is mounted on the z-actuator. In use, the device is positioned over a bonding site on the PCB, and the z-.theta. assembly is lifted off of the x-y base. An electronic component, such as an integrated circuit (IC), is picked up with the vacuum gripper and the z-.theta. assembly is replaced on the x-y base.

Abstract: An electronic part mounting apparatus enables reduction of the time required for attracting and mounting of a part and is reduced in cost and occupies comparatively little space as composed to conventional electronic part mounting apparatus. The mounting apparatus comprises a mounting head, an attracting nozzle mounted for vertical movement, an image pickup camera mounted in parallel to the attracting nozzle, and a mirror unit mounted for horizontal movement and including a plurality of reflecting mirrors disposed in opposing relationship to lower ends of the attracting nozzle and camera to define a light path from an electronic part attracted to the part attracting nozzle to the camera.

Abstract: A tool device for use in replacing an instrument (12) or another device which, in the operative position thereof, is surrounded by an instrument housing which may be coupled into a fluid line, especially at a critical location and/or in a place difficult to get at, e.g. under water, and/or within risky surroundings, and wherein said instrument (12), in the operative position thereof, is locked against extraction/pushing-out with respect to the instrument housing. Also, the invention comprises an instrument housing and a locking tool for use together with such an instrument (12), as well as a method for replacing the instrument.

Abstract: Alignment of each of a plurality of depending first conductive members (16), in an array of orthogonal rows and columns on an article (12), with a corresponding second conductive member (18) arranged in a like array on a substrate (14), is accomplished by positioning the article in spaced relationship from the substrate. The arrays of first and second conductive members (16,18) are first angularly aligned by rotating the article (12) so that the offset between a first column of first and second conductive members on the article and substrate, respectively, as seen by a television camera (32) at a first end of the article and substrate is the same as the offset between a second column of first and second members on the article and substrate, respectively, at the other end thereof as seen by a second camera (30).

Abstract: A tapered surface is formed on a nozzle for picking up an electrical component and placing it on a printed circuit as a light diffusing surface. When a light is radiated to the tapered surface, the light is scattered, and the tapered surface becomes bright. Therefore, the electrical component is clearly observed as a black contour in the bright tapered surface by an observing unit.

Abstract: A misgrip sensor cooperates with a support member, the support member being of the type having an arm for supporting a workpiece during a plurality of forming operations. The sensor detects improper engagement of a workpiece by the support arm and includes a support housing, a contact rod journaled in the front and rear walls of the housing for rectilinear movement and having a collar mounted thereon, a proximity switch mounted on the housing adjacent to the rod for generating a signal indicating proper engagement of a workpiece by the arm, a sensor plate slidably mounted on the rod between the front wall of the housing and the proximity switch and first and second springs which act in opposition to urge the sensor plate against the contact rod collar at an equilibrium position coincident with a non-actuation position spaced from the proximity switch.

Abstract: A tightening fixture for tightening a lock nut on a chuck including a torque readout device for measuring the torque applied to tighten the lock nut. The tightening fixture includes a stationary support block having a torque transmitting collar rotatively mounted therein. The torque transmitting collar is designed to receive and hold the chuck so that the chuck is held nonrotatable with respect to the collar. When torque is applied to tighten the lock nut on the chuck, the chuck and collar rotate as a unit. A torque indicator is mounted in the stationary block and is responsive to the rotation of the torque transmitting collar to provide an indication of the torque applied to tighten the lock nut.

Abstract: A backwired, three dimensional, electronic jig board assembly comprising a table top formed with a planar, rectangular surface having a plurality of apertures for the laying up of three dimensional wire harnesses thereupon; a plug board extending downwardly at right angles from one long edge of the table top, the plug board having upwardly extending slots from the free edge thereof opposite the edge coupled to the table top, with apertures formed as extensions of each slot for the receipt of connectors and the like; a safety plate extending downwardly from each short edge of the table top and spanning the plug board, each safety plate having a central aperture and a pivot rod fixedly secured thereto; support legs coupled to the pivot rods for the pivoting of the table top and plug board with respect thereto; apertures formed in each safety plate for the receipt of a pin passing through the support legs to secure each safety plate as well as the table top and plug board in any one of a plurality of angular ori

Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting the stroke of a light projector of a button setting machine includes a rod connected at its one end to the light projector, a holder holding the opposite end of the rod and pivotably connected to one end of a pivotable actuating lever pivotally movable in response to the reciprocating movement of an upper pusher, a leaf spring acting between the actuating lever and the rod to urge the latter upwardly, a spring urging the actuating lever to turn in a direction to retract the light projector from a path of movement of a punch, and an adjustable stopper engageable with the actuating lever to limit pivotal movement of the same against the force of the spring. With this construction, the light projector has a stroke considerably shorter than the stroke of the upper pusher and can be adjusted independently of the stroke of the upper pusher.

Abstract: A discrete wire discriminator for identifying each terminal position of a connector to be terminated to a multiconductor cable comprising a plurality of identical, unmarked, insulated conductors is described. The conductors of the first end of the cable are randomly terminated. After the second end of the cable is placed in the apparatus, each wire at the second end is selected at random and its correct terminal position identified by the apparatus, in addition, the selected wire is simultaneously tested for short or open circuits.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of forming a multilayer microelectronic circuit package. According to the disclosed method, the first layer of the package has features that are brought into proximity to an optical system which is adapted for imaging a surface of the layer. The optical system images features on the surface of the first layer, and generates targets around selected ones of the features. The, the next layer of the circuit package is brought into proximity to the optical system. This next layer is moved, i.e., translated and rotated, until selected features of the layer coincide with the targets generated through the optical system. This next layer is then placed atop the previous layer. Finally, the layers are laminated to form the multilayer microelectronic circuit package.

Abstract: An electronic parts engaging apparatus is equipped with a parts feed portion having a plurality of parts feed devices disposed to feed, for each type of part, parts having marks indicating their separate type. A suction nozzle is composed of a light transmitting material. A recognition device recognizes the parts through the suction nozzle. A memory stores the types of the parts of the respective parts feed devices in the parts feed portion. A control stores in the memory the types of the parts found through the recognition of the marks of the parts of the respective parts feed devices with the recognition device. A periodical washing operation has an effect in that the control operation is simplified.

Abstract: A wire press-installing apparatus having a ram which is lowered onto the joint block to press wires into rows of receiver terminals that are erected at a specified pitches on the joint block of a wiring harness. The joint block is intermittently fed by a distance equal to the pitch of the terminal rows and only the predetermined wires are selectively taken out and seated into the associated rows of receiver terminals. This prevents wrong wires from being seated in unintended terminals or the joint block from being fed by a wrong pitch. The apparatus has a wire misinstallation detection mechanism which includes wire guides mounted vertically slidable on the lower front and back side of the vertically movable wire press-installing blade through a resilient member.

Abstract: Attachment of each of a pair of wires (12) in a cable (14) to each of a pair of opposed contacts (16) in a connector (20) is carried out by a connector attachment tool (10) which includes a cable clamp assembly (34) for clamping the cable in either a horizontal or vertical orientation. The clamp assembly holds the cable so that an operator can pull each of a pair of the wires along a separate one of a pair of wire guides (96,98) which each include retention springs (106,108,110) for grabbing the pulled wire. Each wire guide serves to align the wire pulled therealong with a separate one of a pair of opposed ram assemblies (86,88) located on opposite sides of a carriage (30) which carries the connector. Each ram assembly serves to force the wire aligned therewith into one of the opposed connector contacts aligned with the ram assembly.

Abstract: A method for mounting electronic parts on a printed board using a computer, an optical indicator controlled by the computer to optically indicate a position of insertion on the printed board into which an electronic part is to be inserted, and a parts locator having a plurality of pockets and controlled by the computer to rotate and open only one pocket is disclosed. Parts taken out at random from a parts box are put into opened pockets of a parts locator, or after the parts are inserted into the positions of insertion on the printed board indicated by the optical indicator, the remaining parts are put into the opened pockets of the parts locator. Subsequent mounting work can be performed only by taking out the parts from the pockets of the parts locator and inserting the parts into the optically indicated positions.

Abstract: A discrete wire discriminator for identifying each terminal position of a connector to be terminated to a multiconductor cable comprising a plurality of identical, unmarked, insulated conductors is described. The conductors of the first end of the cable are randomly terminated. After the second end of the cable is placed in the apparatus, each wire at the second end is selected at random and its correct terminal position identified by the apparatus. In addition, the selected wire is simultaneously tested for short or open circuits.

Abstract: In an apparatus for automatic component insertion in p.c. boards by means of an industrial robot, the gaging means for optically gaging the components is disposed on the outer robot arm so as to be directly associated with the range of motion of the component gripped by the robot.

Abstract: A process plate for the manufacture of molded electronic packages such as plastic pin grid array packages is provided. The process plate is a single fixture which is used to position terminal pins, align the pins for electrical interconnection and form the base of the mold during encapsulation. In one embodiment, the process plate comprises a support plate which is used for all standard terminal pin configurations and a thin cover plate which is specific for each terminal pin configuration. The process plate reduces the number of fixtures required to mold an electronic package reducing both cost and assembly error.

Abstract: A tool for repairing an improperly positioned surface mounted component on the printed circuit board consisting of a body portion with a pair of legs positioned relative to the component mounting area on the printed circuit board with an included vacuum mechanism used to seize the component and reposition it against locating cams included in a pair of vertical legs.

Abstract: An electronic parts automatic mounting apparatus wherein a plurality of removing nozzles are disposed on a removing head portion, and a tipped electronic part held on the suitable removing nozzle is recognized by a recognizing means to correct a deviation in position thereof, whereby mounting accuracy of the part on a print substrate is enhanced and the recognition of the tipped electronic part held by the removing nozzle by the recognizing means can be positively carried out.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mounting device for the automatic assembly of prefabricated parts or such as aggregates to a car body from below. For this purpose the aggregates 14 are arranged centeredly, but removably on installation plates 12, which are mounted liftably and in the lifted position floatingly yielding on a mounting frame 9. The aggregates 14 are penetrated by vertical centering journals of the installation plates 12. The protruding part 24 of the centering journal 17 is tapered in its face region and serves to enter an assigned centering bore of the car body 1 while the mounting frame is lifted. As the installation plate 12 is mounted floatingly on the mounting frame 9 in this phase, the aggregate arranged on it moves automatically into an assembly position in which an automatic process can take place.

Abstract: Are disclosed a method of detecting a hold-position of an electronic component in which the component is held by an electronic-component holding apparatus, an electronic-component holding apparatus having a hold-position detecting device, and an electronic-component mounting apparatus for mounting an electronic component on a printed-circuit board. The above method includes the steps of emitting light beams in a direction toward the electronic component (W) held by the electronic-component holding apparatus (58, 70), so as to take a projection of the component, and of detecting a position of the projection, thereby detecting the hold-position of the component.