Robert G Bertz

US Patent:

RE38880, Nov 22, 2005

Filed:

Jul 15, 1998

Appl. No.:

10/122372

Inventors:

Merlin E. Behnke - Grafton WI, US
Michael L. Schneider - Wauwatosa WI, US
Donald P. McGee - Oconomowoc WI, US
Robert G. Bertz - Wauwatosa WI, US
William Fusco, Jr. - Pewaukee WI, US
Todd K. Pichler - Muskego WI, US
Jon P. Ubert - New Berlin WI, US
Steven J. Bilodeau - Setauket NY, US
Frank L. Jacovino - Plainview NY, US

Assignee:

Robotic Vision Systems, Inc. - Canton MA

International Classification:

B07C005/02

US Classification:

209540, 209541, 209556, 4147886, 4147887

Abstract:

An apparatus for processing electronic circuit devices includes an infeed station, a first inspection station, an inverter station, a second inspection station, a sorting station, and an outfeed station. A linear transport mechanism having side edges transports a first work piece containing a plurality of electronic circuit devices through the stations along a linear path. The inverter station holds an empty second work piece above the transport mechanism in an inverted orientation. The inverter station also includes an elevator for lifting the first work piece vertically into an abutting relationship with the second work piece, and an inverting mechanism for inverting the first and second work pieces while maintaining them in the abutting relationship to position the electronic devices in the second work piece in the inverted orientation. The inverter station executes the work piece inverting action while maintaining the work pieces above the linear transport mechanism and between the side edges of the linear transport mechanism. Thus, the electronic circuit devices are inspected at the first inspection station in a first orientation in the first work piece, and are inspected at the second inspection station in an inverted orientation in the second work piece.

US Patent:

20030044056, Mar 6, 2003

Filed:

Jun 13, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/171466

Inventors:

Dallin Katt - Waukesha WI, US
Mark Shires - Glendale WI, US
Robert Bertz - Wauwatosa WI, US
Michael Reilly - New Berlin WI, US
Merlin Behnke - Grafton WI, US

Assignee:

Robotic Vision Systems, Inc. - Canton MA

International Classification:

G06K009/00

US Classification:

382/143000

Abstract:

A method for inspecting composite tape including cover tape bonded to carrier tape comprises capturing a digital image of the composite tape, dividing the seal tracks within the image into a plurality of fragments or segments. The method also provides for analyzing each segment of the seal track for the presence or absence of the seal and for the width of the seal, and assigning a failing grade to the segment if the seal is not continuous within the segment or if the seal has a width less than a minimum width within the segment. The method further provides for notifying a machine operator of a defective seal if the number consecutively-failed segments in the seal track exceeds a defect tolerance. The method also provides for measuring the spacings of the carrier tape edge, cover tape edge, and seal tracks from each other and comparing those spacings to acceptable values.

US Patent:

62934082, Sep 25, 2001

Filed:

Sep 27, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/142338

Inventors:

Merlin E. Behnke - Grafton WI
Michael L. Schneider - Wauwatosa WI
Donald P. McGee - Oconomowoc WI
Robert G. Bertz - Wauwatosa WI
William Fusco - Pewaukee WI
Todd K. Pichler - New Berlin WI
Jon P. Ubert - New Berlin WI
Steven J. Bilodeau - St. James NY
Frank L. Jacovino - Plainview NY

Assignee:

Robotic Vision Systems, Inc. (RVSI) - Canton MA

International Classification:

B07C 502

US Classification:

209540

Abstract:

An apparatus for processing electronic circuit devices includes an infeed station, a first inspection station, an inverter station, a second inspection station, a sorting station, and an outfeed station. A linear transport mechanism having side edges transports a first work piece containing a plurality of electronic circuit devices through the stations along a linear path. The inverter station holds an empty second work piece above the transport mechanism in an inverted orientation. The inverter station also includes an elevator for lifting the first work piece vertically into an abutting relationship with the second work piece, and an inverting mechanism for inverting the first and second work pieces while maintaining them in the abutting relationship to position the electronic devices in the second work piece in the inverted orientation. The inverter station executes the work piece inverting action while maintaining the work pieces above the linear transport mechanism and between the side edges of the linear transport mechanism. Thus, the electronic circuit devices are inspected at the first inspection station in a first orientation in the first work piece, and are inspected at the second inspection station in an inverted orientation in the second work piece.