CN114472191B

CN114472191B - Sorting machine for electronic component processing and method for confirming whether an insert is defective

Info

Publication number: CN114472191B
Application number: CN202111090961.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 吴珍择; 李东昱; 权赫陞
Original assignee: Techwing Co Ltd
Current assignee: Techwing Co Ltd
Priority date: 2020-11-12
Filing date: 2021-09-17
Publication date: 2025-01-07
Anticipated expiration: 2041-09-17
Also published as: TW202218754A; TWI820488B; CN118417181A; CN114472191A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sorting machine for electronic component processing and a method for confirming whether an insert has defects. According to the present invention, the brightness difference of each part of the insert is used to confirm whether the insert has defects, and the operation of confirming whether the insert has defects during the tray standby period is improved by improving the transfer logistics of the tray, thereby improving the reliability of the equipment without increasing the production cost.

Description

Sorting machine for electronic component processing and method for confirming whether or not there is defect in insert

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a technique for confirming whether or not an electronic component loading insert is defective.

Background

The produced electronic component is shipped after a test process or a sorting process, etc. In this process, a sorting machine for electronic component processing (hereinafter referred to as "sorting machine") for processing electronic components is used.

For example, a handler provided in a test process of electronic parts performs an operation of moving electronic parts to be tested loaded on a customer tray to a test tray, then electrically connecting the electronic parts loaded on the test tray to a tester, and sorting the tested electronic parts by grade and moving them again to the customer tray. In connection with this, reference may be made to the technology disclosed in korean laid-open patent No. 10-2017-0108703 (hereinafter referred to as "prior art").

That is, the electronic components in a state of being loaded on the customer tray are supplied to the sorting machine, but generally, the electronic components are moved from the customer tray and loaded on a processing tray (hereinafter simply referred to as "tray") required for a process such as testing or sorting, and then subjected to a processing process.

Trays are often equipped with inserts for loading electronic components.

Although the interposer may have various structures according to the size, loading form, and the like of the electronic component, defects may occur due to breakage caused by use, detachment caused by impact, and the like.

If the insert is defective, defects may occur in the loading work of the electronic parts, so that the process cannot be normally performed, and furthermore, the reliability of the equipment may be reduced due to damage of the expensive electronic parts during the loading process.

Accordingly, various techniques for inspecting the insert for defects have been proposed.

However, it is difficult to apply any one inspection technique to various sorters due to factors such as the structure of the insert, the moving path of the insert, peripheral structures, and illumination.

Further, since a good normal image is compared with a captured image, a time load may be increased, thereby reducing the processing capacity of the apparatus. Of course, if a scanning camera that photographs a fine and a computing device having a high computing speed are applied, the time required for inspecting defects can be slightly shortened. However, since expensive scanning cameras and computing devices are required to be equipped, the production cost of the apparatus increases accordingly.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention has been made in consideration of the technology for accurately confirming the defect of an interposer while using an inexpensive area camera.

A sorting machine for electronic component handling according to the present invention includes a picker that loads electronic components on a tray located at a loading position or unloads electronic components from a tray located at an unloading position, a processor that processes electronic components loaded on a tray when the tray loaded with electronic components by the picker reaches a handling position, a plurality of movers that circulate the tray on a circulation path that is connected to the loading position again after passing through the loading position, the handling position, and the unloading position, a camera that is arranged to photograph an insert of a tray on which electronic components are not loaded on the circulation path, and a controller that controls the picker, the processor, the plurality of movers, and the camera to confirm whether or not there is a defect in the insert by comparing an image photographed by the camera with information possessed by a good normal insert.

The camera is arranged to capture an insert of a tray that is not loaded with electronic components between the loading position and the unloading position.

The specific transfer device for moving the tray located at the unloading position to the loading position through the standby position includes a first clamp for clamping the tray located at the standby position or releasing the clamping of the tray, a second clamp for clamping the tray located at the unloading position or releasing the clamping of the tray, and performing clamping operation independently of the first clamp, and a mover for moving the tray located at the standby position to the loading position or moving the tray located at the unloading position to the standby position through the first clamp and the second clamp by moving the first clamp from the unloading position to the loading position or moving the tray located at the standby position in the opposite direction, wherein the controller stops the movement of the tray located at the standby position to the loading position when the tray located at the standby position is moved to the unloading position, and stops the movement of the tray located at the standby position to the loading position, and stops the movement of the tray located at the standby position.

The camera may be disposed between the unloading position and the standby position or between the standby position and the loading position, with a standby position where a tray, in which no electronic component is loaded, is located between the loading position and the unloading position.

The sorting machine for electronic component processing according to the present invention further includes a soaking chamber that applies thermal stress to the electronic components loaded by the tray from the loading position, and a heat removing chamber that removes thermal stress of the electronic components loaded by the tray before the tray moves to the unloading position, wherein the camera may be disposed between the unloading position and the soaking chamber or between the heat removing chamber and the unloading position.

The sorting machine for electronic component processing according to the present invention further includes a shielding plate for shielding a background when the insert of the tray is photographed by the camera, wherein the camera is located below the tray, and the shielding plate is located above the tray.

A method of confirming whether or not an electronic component loading interposer according to a first aspect of the present invention includes an input step of inputting information on a good normal interposer, a photographing step of photographing the interposer, a first selecting step of selecting a first region of interest from an image photographed in the photographing step based on a first portion of the interposer, a second selecting step of selecting a second region of interest from an image photographed in the photographing step based on a second portion of the interposer different from the first portion, and a confirming step of confirming whether or not the interposer has a defect based on information obtained in the first region of interest selected in the first selecting step and the second region of interest selected in the second selecting step.

The method for confirming whether the insert for loading the electronic component is defective according to the present invention further includes a third selecting step of confirming a center of the second region of interest after the second selecting step, and further selecting a third region of interest having the confirmed center as a center point, the confirming step confirming whether the insert is defective by comparing relative positional deviations of the first region of interest and the third region of interest.

The first region of interest and the third region of interest are selected to be rectangular box shaped, with rectangular sides of the third region of interest being parallel to corresponding rectangular sides of the first region of interest.

The information inputted in the inputting step is numerical information about the structure of the insert and the brightness of each portion.

The third region of interest is different in brightness from the remaining regions of the insert.

A method for confirming whether or not a defect exists in an electronic component loading interposer according to a second aspect of the present invention includes an input step of inputting information on a good normal interposer, a photographing step of photographing the interposer, a first selecting step of selecting a first region of interest based on an image photographed in the photographing step of a first portion of the interposer, a second selecting step of selecting a second region of interest from the image photographed in the photographing step based on a second portion of the interposer different from the first portion, a third selecting step of confirming a center of the second region of interest selected in the second selecting step and selecting a third region of interest having the confirmed center as a center point, and a confirming step of confirming whether or not the interposer exists defect by comparing relative positional deviations of the first region of interest and the third region of interest.

According to the present invention, since whether or not the insert has a defect can be accurately confirmed by using a low-priced area camera and a low-specification computing device, production costs can be reduced and reliability of the apparatus can be improved.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a conceptual plan view of a sorting machine for electronic component processing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a conceptual extraction diagram for explaining movement of a tray implemented in the separator of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 to 5 are extracted perspective views of an mounter applied to the sort machine for electronic component test of fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a reference diagram for explaining the structure of the tray.

Fig. 7 is an extracted view of an insert applied to the tray of fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is an extraction perspective view of the extraction mover and the structure coupled thereto in the separator of fig. 1.

Fig. 9 is an extracted perspective view showing a part of the illustration of fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a flow chart of a method of testing for insert defects implemented in the sorter of fig. 1.

Fig. 11 to 15 are reference diagrams for explaining the flowchart of fig. 10.

Fig. 16 to 20 are reference diagrams for explaining another embodiment according to the present invention, which is implemented in a sorting machine for electronic component processing in a different form from fig. 1.

Description of the reference numerals

100 Processor 111 for handling electronic components, first pick-up

112 Second pick-up 120 processor

130. T1, T2, T3, transfer 132, first gripper

133 Second gripper 134, mover

141 To 144 camera 150, shutter

170 Controller LP loading position

UP unloading position SP stop position

WP stand-by position

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention as described above will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, and repetitive description thereof will be omitted or compressed as much as possible for the sake of brevity of description.

< General description of sorting machine for electronic component test >

Fig. 1 is a conceptual plan view of a sorting machine 100 for electronic component processing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The handler 100 of fig. 1 is provided in a test process of electronic components, and includes a supply and recovery portion SR, a first picker 111, a second picker 112, a processor 120, a plurality of movers 130, T1, T2, T3, T4, a camera 141 to 144, a shielding plate 150, a holder 160, and a controller 170.

The supply-recovery section SR is located at the forefront and is equipped to supply or recover the electronic components loaded on the customer tray CT. Such a supply recycling section SR may have a form of having a stacker as described in korean laid-open patent No. 10-2017-0033131, or may have a form of installing a supply cart as described in korean laid-open patent No. 10-2017-0103496. That is, regardless of the form, the supply and recovery section SR may be capable of storing the customer tray CT on which the electronic components to be tested are loaded and the customer tray CT on which the electronic components to be tested are loaded. The customer tray CT is movable in the front-rear direction in the area where the recovery portion SR is supplied, and the first picker 111 and the second picker 112 perform operations with respect to the customer tray CT located at the rear, and the customer tray CT completed with the operations by the first picker 111 or the second picker 112 moves forward.

The first picker 111 moves the electronic components supplied through the supply-recovery section SR toward a test tray TT (hereinafter, simply referred to as "tray") as a processing tray located at the loading position LP. When the electronic components are moved and loaded toward the tray TT by such a first picker 111, in the case where there is a defect in the insert of the tray TT, a defect may be caused in the loading operation of the electronic components.

The second picker 112 moves the tested electronic components from the tray TT located at the unloading position UP to the customer tray CT located at the supply recycling portion SR. Of course, during operation by the second picker 112, the electronic components are sorted by test level and moved to the customer tray CT.

For reference, in the present embodiment, the first picker 111 for loading electronic components on the tray TT and the second picker 112 for unloading electronic components from the tray TT are separately provided, but the first picker 111 and the second picker 112 may be integrated into one picker in consideration of test time or the like, and in the case where only an operation of loading electronic components on the tray TT is required, the second picker 112 may be omitted.

The processor 120 electrically connects the electronic components loaded on the tray TT moved to the test position TP as the processing position to the test socket of the tester and processes them. Obviously, the test of the electronic component is performed in a state where the electronic component is electrically connected to the test socket by the processor 120.

The plurality of movers 130, T1, T2, T3, T4 circulate the tray TT along a closed loop circulation path from the loading position LP to the loading position LP via the test position TP and the unloading position UP. In the circulation path which is one of the features of the present invention, the transfer of the tray TT formed in the section S from the unloading position UP to the loading position LP is responsible for a transfer denoted by reference numeral 130, which will be described later in detail.

The cameras 141 to 144 capture the inserts of the tray TT of the electronic parts without devices between the loading position LP and the unloading position UP. Such cameras 141 to 144 are located below the tray TT. In the present embodiment, the reason why four cameras 141 to 144 are provided is that one electronic component is supported by two interposers and four interposers are confirmed at a time to increase the processing speed. Therefore, without increasing the processing speed, only two cameras are required for confirming the two inserts paired with each other. Furthermore, if there is a structure in which electronic components are loaded on one interposer and there is no need to increase the processing speed, only one camera may be provided.

When the insert of the tray TT is photographed by the cameras 141 to 144, the shielding plate 150 may shield the background, which is present in a complicated shape due to the upper structure, so that a clear image of the insert may be acquired by the cameras 141 to 144. Thus, the shielding plate 150 is located above the tray TT. Of course, there may be a case where the cameras 141 to 144 are disposed in a narrow space where the shielding plate 150 cannot be disposed or a space where the shielding plate cannot be disposed due to interference between other devices, and thus the shielding plate 150 is of a structure that can be selectively provided.

The holder 160 is configured to hold a tray TT of a standby position WP between the loading position LP and the unloading position UP.

The controller 170 controls the composition and compares the images photographed by the cameras 141 to 144 with numerical information possessed by good normal inserts to check whether the inserts are defective.

For reference, reference numeral 180 is a mounter mounted with a buffer tray BT for temporarily storing electronic parts in various cases. Further, SC is a soaking chamber for applying thermal stress to assimilate the electronic components loaded on the tray TT from the loading position LP into a temperature based on the test conditions in advance, TC is a test chamber for testing the electronic components loaded on the housed tray TT, and DC is a heat removing chamber for removing thermal stress from the electronic components loaded on the tray TT before the tray TT loaded with the electronic components subjected to the test moves to the unloading position UP.

< Description of movement of tray moving from unloading position to loading position >

As shown in the conceptual extraction diagram of fig. 2, there are a stop position SP and a standby position WP between the loading position LP and the unloading position UP. In the present embodiment, in order to reduce the left-right width of the separator 100, the right portion of the stop position SP and the left portion of the standby position WP overlap.

The stop position SP is a position where the tray TT moved from the unloading position UP is stopped, and the standby position WP is a position where the tray TT stopped at the stop position SP is retracted in the unloading position UP and is waiting. Of course, the tray TT located at the stop position SP and the standby position WP is in a state of not loading electronic parts.

First, as shown in fig. 3, when the trays TT of the electronic parts not mounted are located at the unloading position UP and the standby position WP, respectively, the conveyer 130 moves both trays TT together toward the loading position LP. Therefore, as shown in fig. 4, the tray TT located at the standby position WP is moved to the loading position LP, and the tray TT located at the unloading position UP is moved to the stop position SP.

In the state shown in fig. 4, the conveyer 130 moves the tray TT at the stop position SP to the standby position WP by moving the tray TT backward in the direction of the unloading position UP as shown in fig. 5. In the process, the camera 141 to 144 photograph the insert of the tray TT. In order to take an image by the cameras 141 to 144, it is preferable to perform stepwise backward movement by repeatedly moving and stopping the tray TT by the transfer unit 130. If photographing is performed while moving the tray TT backward stepwise in this manner, the cameras 141 to 144 can be constituted by low-cost area cameras, and thus the production cost can be reduced.

According to the present embodiment, the interval between the loading position LP and the unloading position UP is set to have the separate stop position SP and standby position WP, so that one tray TT can be moved and stopped or standby between the loading position LP and the unloading position UP during the time when the trays TT at the loading position LP are all filled and the time when the trays TT at the unloading position UP are all unloaded. Further, since the defect confirmation operation of the insert can be performed during this time, the defect confirmation operation of the insert does not reduce the operation rate of the separator 100.

< Description of tray >

Before the description of the transporter 130 responsible for transporting the tray TT from the unloading position UP to the loading position LP and the description of the method of confirming the insert defect, the structure of the tray TT will be first described.

As shown in fig. 6, the tray TT has a setting frame IF and a plurality of inserts IT.

The setting framework IF is used for setting a plurality of inserts IT. Further, clamping grooves GG are formed on left and right sides of the setting frame IF so as to be capable of clamping and unclamping by the transfer 130.

The plurality of interposers IT are provided such that a pair of interposers IT facing each other in the front-rear direction can carry one electronic component ED. As shown in fig. 7, the insert IT has a fixing body B and a clamping member G.

The fixing body B is formed of a black resin material as a portion to be fixed to the mounting frame IF.

The holding member G has a shape in which a lower end portion of the electronic component ED can be inserted and held therein, and is made of a metal material. Accordingly, the fixing body B and the clamping member G have different brightness from each other, and in the images acquired by the cameras 141 to 144, the fixing body B and the clamping member G have a brightness difference. Of course, if the fixing body B and the sandwiching member G are configured to have different brightness, the material or color of the fixing body B and the sandwiching member G is not limited to the reason of the present embodiment.

< Description of the transporter >

Fig. 8 is a schematic perspective view of the transporter 130 for transporting the tray TT from the unloading position UP to the loading position LP, and a structure coupled to the transporter 130.

The mover 130 is disposed substantially between the loading position LP and the unloading position UP, and includes a pair of transfer rails 131a, 131b, a first gripper 132, a second gripper 133, and a mover 134 in the drawing with reference to fig. 9.

The pair of transfer rails 131a, 131b are fixedly provided on the substrate BP, and include a plurality of rollers R to guide movement of the tray TT moving in the left-right direction.

The first gripper 132 may grip or release the right side of the tray TT located at the standby position WP, and is equipped with a grip pin 132a and a lifter 132b.

The clamp pin 132a is inserted into the clamp groove GG of the tray TT to clamp the tray TT when ascending, and is disengaged from the clamp groove GG of the tray TT to release the clamp of the tray TT when descending.

The lifter 132b lifts the clamp pin 132a to enable the clamp pin 132a to clamp the tray TT or release the clamp.

The second gripper 133 may grip or release the left side of the tray TT, which is located at the unloading position UP, and has the same structure as the first gripper 132. Since such a second gripper 133 and the above-described first gripper 132 are provided with lifters 132b, respectively, the second gripper 133 and the first gripper 132 can perform gripping operations independently of each other.

The mover 134 moves the first gripper 132 and the second gripper 133 from the unloading position UP to the loading position LP or vice versa, thereby moving the tray TT located at the standby position WP to the loading position LP or moving the tray TT located at the unloading position UP to the standby position WP. Such a mover 134 includes a transfer motor 134a and a transfer belt 134b, and the first gripper 132 and the second gripper 133 are coupled to the transfer belt 134 b. Therefore, when the transfer motor 134a is operated in the forward or reverse direction, the transfer belt 134b is rotated in the forward or reverse direction, and the first gripper 132 and the second gripper 133 coupled to the transfer belt 134b are also advanced and retracted in the left-right direction. Of course, when the tray TT is held by the first holder 132 and the second holder 133, the tray TT advances and retreats accordingly.

Next, an operation of the transfer unit 130 will be described.

First, if empty trays TT are located at the standby position WP and the unloading position UP, respectively, the first gripper 132 and the second gripper 133 are moved in the loading position LP direction located on the left side by the conveyer 130 in a state where both trays TT are gripped at the same time. Thereby, when the tray TT located at the standby position WP is moved to the loading position LP and the tray TT located at the unloading position UP is moved to the stop position SP, the first gripper 132 releases the gripping of the tray TT located at the loading position LP, and the second gripper 133 holds the gripping of the tray TT located at the stop position SP. In this state, the tray TT held by the second gripper 133 moves toward the standby position WP while the first gripper 132 and the second gripper 133 are retreated toward the right direction of the unloading position LP. As such, during the rearward movement of the tray TT at the stop position SP to the standby position WP, the cameras 141 to 144 capture images of the insert IT at a point in time when the insert IT is located directly above the cameras 141 to 144. For this reason, the conveyer 130 repeatedly moves and stops the retracted tray TT while gradually retracting, and the cameras 141 to 144 are controlled by the controller 170 to perform shooting at each time point when the tray TT is stopped. In this case, the cameras 141 to 144 may be implemented to photograph only one insert IT, or may be implemented to photograph a plurality of adjacent inserts IT at the same time. Further, since photographing is performed at the point of time when the tray TT is stopped, the cameras 141 to 144 may be provided as inexpensive area cameras. Of course, if the performance of the cameras 141 to 144 is good, the cameras 141 to 144 may be implemented to perform photographing while continuously backing up, instead of performing photographing while repeating stepwise backing up of moving and stopping.

Further, according to the present embodiment, two shielding plates 150 are coupled to the substrate BP in a spaced-apart manner toward the upper side. Further, the cameras 141 to 144 are disposed below the shielding plate 150 in a combined structure with the substrate BP. Here, the cameras 141 to 144 may be constituted by a camera CAM, an illumination element L, a diffusion plate D, and the like.

The transfer of the tray TT and the inspection of the insert IT are extended based on the transfer unit 130 of fig. 8 as described above, in which the empty tray TT positioned at the unloading position UP is transferred from the unloading position UP to the loading position LP through the transfer section TS, is transferred to the stop position SP, and thereafter, is gradually retracted in the first retraction section R1, and the photographing and the inspection of the insert IT are performed in the first inspection section TE1 and the second inspection section TE 2. The tray TT, which has been inspected in the first retraction section R1, is retracted in the second retraction section R2, transferred to the standby position WP, and then transferred to the loading position LP.

< Method of checking whether an insert is defective >

Whether the insert IT is defective can be confirmed by comparing the numerical information inputted from the good normal insert IT with the numerical information obtained from the images obtained from the cameras 141 to 144. This is described with reference to the flowchart of fig. 10 and the image of fig. 11.

1. Input step (S11)

First, an administrator inputs information (structure of the insert or brightness of each site, etc.) about good normal insert IT. This is achieved by an input window as shown in fig. 11 being displayed in the screen of the display M.

The information SD about the structure is information including the mechanical form and the dimensions of the insert IT, such as bending, which can be confirmed from the bottom surface.

The information BD concerning brightness is information on brightness on an image obtained from a mechanical form, a curve, a color, a material, and the like. For example, when the fixing body B is made of a black resin material and the sandwiching member G is made of a metal material of a metal color, the fixing body B and the bottom surface of the sandwiching member G have a clear difference in brightness, and also have a difference in brightness due to bending or the like according to the structure. Accordingly, the controller 170 is inputted with the values of the luminance values of the respective portions on the image, such as the luminance value of the bottom surface of the fixed body B (which may have a predetermined range) and the luminance value of the bottom surface of the grip member G (which may have a predetermined range). Such input may be implemented using an input device (touch screen or mouse or keyboard, etc.) provided with the sorter 100. Of course, a method of inputting the relative luminance difference between the fixed body B and the sandwiching member G as a numerical value may be considered. The region of the fixing body B and the region of the clamping member G are set, and the external form, length, and the like thereof are coordinated to be inputted as numerical values.

At this time, the inputted numerical value may be inputted to have a predetermined range. This is because the difference in brightness is considered in consideration of the diffuse reflection by illumination, other diffuse reflection, or surrounding structures, even with the same material and color.

The input method may be of various embodiments, and for example, as shown in fig. 11, a value according to a length, inclination, or the like corresponding to the bottom surface shape of the fixed body B or the bottom surface shape of the clamping member G, a value according to the brightness of the fixed body B region or the brightness of the clamping member G region, or the like may be input through an input window displayed on the display M by taking an image of the bottom surface of the normal insert IT.

2. Shooting procedure (S12)

The bottom surface of the normal insert IT is photographed. At this time, the normal insert IT is adjusted by the administrator to be located on the upper side of a predetermined camera 141, 142, 143, 144 among the cameras 141 to 144. Of course, in the subsequent automation process, as previously described, when the tray TT is moved backward stepwise, the cameras 141 to 144 photograph the bottom surface of the insert IT.

3. Step of setting extraction region (S13)

The administrator selects the extraction area ES by dragging a mouse over the photographed image. For example, as shown in fig. 12, when the normal insert IT is used as a reference, the extraction area ES may include the entire area of the clamping member G and the partial area of the fixing body B. At this time, the administrator needs to set the extraction area ES so as to exclude a portion that may be confused with the luminance value of the grip member G. More specifically, the frame F portion of the tray TT is of the same silver color as the clamping member G including the same metal, and thus if the frame F portion of the tray TT is included in the extraction area ES, confusion may occur in the computer during the automated inspection.

For reference, the extraction area is set for perfecting the information input performed in the above-described input step (11). Therefore, if the first, second, and third regions of interest, which will be described later, can be accurately selected to the extent necessary to meet the inspection by only the information input performed in the input step (11), the extraction region setting step (S13) can be omitted.

Of course, the controller 170 continuously displays the extraction area ES dragged and selected by the administrator through the display M of the separator 100. Thus, the administrator can select an accurate extraction area ES while confirming the own selected extraction area ES through the display M.

4. Test execution step (S14)

If the administrator determines that the extraction area is set as desired, a test is performed by clicking a test button on the screen of the display M.

5. First selected step (S15)

According to the test implementation command of the administrator, the controller 170 again captures an image, confirms the extraction region ES from the captured image, and then selects a first region of interest A1 containing a portion of the stationary body B of the insert IT as shown in the example of fig. 13 based on the information input in the input step (S11). Such a first region of interest A1 may be generated based on a physical specification of the fixed subject B such as a size or brightness of the fixed subject B.

In the present embodiment, a part of the region of the stationary body B observed from the first region of interest A1 is a region where the clamping member G is located, and the region where the clamping member G is located is used as a first site for setting a reference of the first region of interest A1 in order to confirm a defect of the insert IT. However, if there is another portion that can be used as a reference in addition to the stationary body B, the other portion may be selected as the first region of interest A1, which will be described later.

6. Second selected step (S16)

The controller 170 selects a second region of interest A2 from the photographed image based on a second region different from a partial region of the fixed body B as the first region, based on the information input in the input step (S11). That is, the second region of interest A2 may be a specific part of the insert IT, and in the present embodiment, the second region of interest A2 is a region of the clamping member G having a luminance value different from that of the fixed body B.

Of course, depending on the implementation, the first selection step (S15) and the second selection step (S16) may be performed simultaneously, or the second selection step (S16) may be performed before the first selection step (S15), unlike the above-described procedure.

For reference, since the first region of interest A1 is formed in the shape of a rectangular box with reference to a partial region of the fixed body B having the clamping member G, and the second region of interest A2 is formed in the shape of a rectangular box with reference to the clamping member G, sides of each rectangular box may not be parallel to each other according to a defective state of the insert IT.

In addition, as described above, in the case where the shielding plate 150 is not allowed to be provided, the second region of interest A2 on the image may not have a significant contrast with the first region of interest A1 due to diffuse reflection of light or the like. That is, there may be no contrast between the clamping member G and the partial region of the fixing body B having the clamping member G. Further, in this case, it may be difficult to select the second region of interest A2. Therefore, as shown with reference to the example of fig. 14, a position away from the clamping member G (for example, a region having a matching hole H into which a matching pin of a test socket is inserted) may also be selected as the first region of interest A1.

7. Third selected step (S17)

Further, a center O of the second region of interest A2 is obtained, and a rectangle of a predetermined area with the center O as a center point is selected as the third region of interest A3. This is related to the form in which the clamping member G protrudes downward and obliquely in the present embodiment. That is, the third selecting step (S17) is for selecting the lower end bottom surface area of the grip member G having the highest luminance value. Therefore, the third selection step (S17) may be omitted depending on the shape of the clamping member G or the like.

At this time, the third region of interest A3 may be selected by the rectangular area and the luminance value of the bottom surface region inputted in advance in the inputting step (S11) and the center point of the holding member G acquired by the second region of interest A2. Thus, the third region of interest A3 has a narrower area than the second region of interest A2. Furthermore, the third region of interest A3 in the form of a rectangular box is set such that each side of the rectangle thereof is parallel to each side of the rectangle selected as the first region of interest A1.

Likewise, the controller 170 allows the administrator to continuously confirm the test situation by displaying the first region of interest A1 selected in the first selection step (S15), the second region of interest A2 selected in the second selection step (S16), the center O acquired in the third selection step (S17), and the selected third region of interest A3 through the display M. At this time, it is preferable that the third region of interest A3 and the center O are displayed in a color different from the colors of the extraction region ES, the first region of interest A1, and the second region of interest A2, and it is preferable that the third region of interest A3 and the center O are also displayed in different colors so that the administrator can easily confirm.

8. Confirmation step (S18)

By comparing the numerical information of the first, second, and third regions of interest A1, A2, and A3 with the numerical information input in the inputting step (S11), IT is confirmed whether the insert IT is defective. At this time, the confirmation may be performed by integrating the following various ways or selectively choosing and choosing.

For example, it may be a confirmation method of analyzing whether or not the first region of interest A1 has a form or area different from the inputted value based on the information inputted in the inputting step (S11). This is a suitable means for determining whether or not the insert IT is defective, when the fixing body B of the insert IT is out of position or has a different form or area from the inputted information due to partial breakage or the like.

For example, the determination may be performed by analyzing the relative positional deviation, positional relationship, or the like between the first region of interest A1 and the second region of interest A2. This is a suitable method for discriminating whether the insert IT is defective when IT is tilted or twisted, and can be applied when the third region of interest A3 is not selected. Therefore, in the case where the third region of interest A3 is selected as in the present embodiment, it is possible to switch to a confirmation method by analyzing the relative positional deviation or positional relationship between the first region of interest A1 and the third region of interest A3, and further, it is also possible to analyze the relative positional deviation or positional relationship between the second region of interest A2 and the third region of interest A3.

By selecting or mixing the above-described modes, if IT is confirmed whether the insert IT is defective, the controller 170 outputs the result thereof through the display M. Then, the administrator confirms whether the defect confirmation operation of the insert IT is normally performed by the result and the result of the self-confirmation with the naked eye.

In addition, in the subsequent automated process, as described above, when the tray TT is stepped backward, the camera 141 to 144 take the image of the bottom surface of the insert IT (S12), and then the first selection step (S15), the second selection step (S16), the third selection step (S17), and the confirmation step (S18) are sequentially performed. However, in the automated process, if it is confirmed as a defect in the confirmation step (S18), a jam (jam) occurs.

For reference, fig. 13 above shows a normal insert, and fig. 15 shows an example of an insert in a defective state.

Referring to fig. 15, a state in which the first, second, and third regions of interest A1, A2, and A3 are selected and displayed is shown. Fig. 15 shows a case where the second region of interest A2 and the third region of interest A3 protrude forward with respect to the first region of interest A1, which means that the insert IT protrudes to an extent corresponding to the extent to which the insert IT is tilted, belonging to a defective state.

Further, the method for confirming whether the insert IT is defective as described above may be performed in various cases.

First, before the sorter 100 is started to process the electronic component ED, it may be performed as a preceding operation. This will be done separately as will be described later.

Second, as described above, the photographing step (S12), the selecting step of the first region of interest A1, the selecting step of the second region of interest A2, the selecting step of the third region of interest A3, and the confirming step (S18) may be continuously or periodically performed in an automated process of processing the electronic component ED.

Third, IT may be performed in a case where the electronic components ED to be processed by the sorting machine 100 are replaced, thereby replacing the tray TT while applying the insert IT having other forms and specifications.

< Another example of a sorter for electronic component test >

Fig. 16 is a conceptual plan view of the electronic component processing sorter 200 according to another example.

In the sorter 200 of fig. 16, the tray TT also moves along the circulation path C connecting the loading position LP, the soaking chamber SC, the test chamber TC, the heat removal chamber DC, and the unloading position UP with the loading position LP. Here, the partial paths denoted by C1 and C2 are provided to realize a test of the electronic components mounted on the 2 trays TT at a time.

In addition, in the sorter 200 of fig. 16, a distance that the tray TT located between the unloading position UP and the loading position LP can be moved backward stepwise cannot be ensured. Therefore, in the separator 200 of fig. 16, there is no room for stepwise withdrawal in the circulation path C.

Further, since the sorter 200 of fig. 16 lacks a space for providing 4 cameras, only 2 cameras 241 and 242 may be provided, and the positions thereof may be varied.

For example, as shown in fig. 17, the cameras 241, 242 may be disposed between the unloading position UP and the standby position WP. In this case, the sorter 200 preferably moves the tray TT moving from the unloading position UP to the standby position WP stepwise. Similarly, in the case where the cameras 241, 242 have good performance, shooting while the tray TT is continuously moving can also be achieved.

For example, as shown in fig. 18, the cameras 241, 242 may be disposed between the standby position WP and the loading position LP.

Further, because of the narrow space, it is difficult to provide a shielding plate in the separator 200 of fig. 16, as described above, regarding the selection of the first region of interest A1, the example of fig. 14 may be employed.

In addition, the inspection of the insert IT defect may be performed during a preliminary operation performed before the test operation. Here, the preliminary operation refers to an operation for supplying empty trays TT, which are not loaded with electronic components, to the sorter 200, and then observing whether the trays TT are normally transferred or not by operating the sorter 200, and the like.

Of course, IT may be checked whether the insert IT is defective in a preliminary operation, and IT may be checked whether the insert IT is defective in a test operation. However, according to an embodiment, IT is possible to check whether the insert IT is defective only during a preliminary operation. This is because, in the case of checking whether or not the insert IT is defective in the test operation, there is a possibility that the processing speed of the sorter 200 becomes slow.

If IT is implemented to inspect the insert IT for defects only in a preliminary operation, the cameras 241, 242 may also be arranged between the loading position LP and the soaking chamber SC as shown in fig. 19, or the cameras 241, 242 may also be arranged between the heat removal chamber DC and the unloading position UP as shown in fig. 20. Of course, the arrangement of cameras 241, 242 according to this example may also employ the same arrangement in the sorter 100 of fig. 1.

For reference, preferably, in the sorter of fig. 16, the tray TT is configured to be moved stepwise in the corresponding section so that suitable photographing can be performed even by the cameras 241, 242 of low specification.

As described above, the present invention has been specifically described by embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the above embodiments are merely illustrative of preferred examples of the present invention, and thus, the present invention should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments, and the scope of the claims should be construed as a scope and equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A sorting machine for electronic component processing, comprising:

a pickup that loads or unloads electronic parts to or from a tray located at a loading position;

A processor for processing the electronic components loaded on the tray when the tray loaded with the electronic components by the picker reaches a processing position;

A plurality of movers for circularly moving the tray on a circulation path connected to the loading position again after passing through the loading position, the processing position and the unloading position;

a camera arranged to take a photograph of a bottom surface of an insert of a tray on which electronic components are not loaded on the circulation path, and

A controller for controlling the pickup, the processor, the plurality of movers and the camera, and comparing an image photographed by the camera with information of a good normal insert to confirm whether the insert has a defect,

Wherein the controller selects a first region of interest based on a first portion of the bottom surface of the insert from an image of the bottom surface of the insert taken by the camera, selects a second region of interest based on a second portion of the bottom surface of the insert different from the first portion, confirms a center of the selected second region of interest, and selects a third region of interest having the confirmed center as a center point,

The insert includes a fixing body and a clamping member into which a lower end portion of the electronic component is inserted and clamped,

The first portion is a region where the clamping member is located, and is used to set a reference of the first region of interest for confirming a defect of the insert,

The first region of interest is selected to be a rectangular box shape based on the size and brightness of the stationary body in such a manner that a portion of the region of the stationary body including the clamping member,

The second region of interest is selected to have a rectangular box shape with a different luminance value than the luminance value of the first region of interest,

The third region of interest is selected to have a rectangular box shape of a predetermined area based on the center point, and rectangular sides of the third region of interest are parallel to rectangular sides corresponding to the first region of interest,

The controller determines that the third region of interest is prominent relative to the first region of interest as defective.

2. The electronic component handling sorter according to claim 1 wherein,

3. The electronic component handling sorter according to claim 2 wherein,

A standby position where a tray having no electronic parts loaded is located between the loading position and the unloading position,

A specific one of the plurality of movers that moves the tray located at the unloading position toward the loading position through the standby position includes:

A first gripper for gripping a tray positioned at the standby position or releasing the gripping of the tray;

A second gripper for gripping the tray at the unloading position or releasing the gripping of the tray and performing a gripping operation independently of the first gripper, and

A mover for moving the tray located at the standby position to the loading position or moving the tray located at the unloading position to the standby position by moving the first gripper or the second gripper from the unloading position to the loading position or vice versa,

The controller simultaneously clamps the tray at the standby position and the tray at the unloading position through a first clamp and a second clamp, and then releases the clamp of the first clamp when the tray at the unloading position moves to the loading position and the tray at the loading position moves to a stop position between the loading position and the standby position, then moves the tray at the stop position to the standby position, and controls the transfer device and the camera to enable the camera to shoot an insert of the tray in the process of moving from the stop position to the standby position.

4. The electronic component handling sorter according to claim 2 wherein,

The camera is arranged between the unloading position and the standby position or between the standby position and the loading position.

5. The electronic component handling sorter according to claim 1, further comprising;

a soaking chamber for applying thermal stress to the electronic components loaded by the tray from the loading position, and

A heat removal chamber for removing thermal stress of the electronic components mounted on the tray before the tray moves to the unloading position;

wherein the camera is arranged between the unloading position and the soaking chamber or between the heat removal chamber and the unloading position.

6. The electronic component handling sorter according to claim 1, further comprising:

A shielding plate for shielding a background when the insert of the tray is photographed by the camera,

Wherein the camera is positioned below the tray,

The shielding plate is located above the tray.

7. A method of confirming whether or not an electronic component loading insert is defective, comprising:

An input step of inputting information about a good normal insert;

A photographing step of photographing a bottom surface of the insert;

A first selection step of selecting a first region of interest from the image captured in the capturing step based on a first portion of the bottom surface of the insert;

A second selection step of selecting a second region of interest from the image captured in the capturing step based on a second portion of the bottom surface of the insert that is different from the first portion;

a third selecting step of confirming the center of the second region of interest selected in the second selecting step, and selecting a third region of interest having the confirmed center as a center point;

The controller judges that the third region of interest is prominent relative to the first region of interest as defective.

8. The method for confirming an electronic component loading interposer as recited in claim 7, wherein,

9. The method of confirming an electronic component loading interposer as recited in claim 7, wherein the third region of interest is different in brightness from the remaining regions of the interposer.