WO2002028161A1

WO2002028161A1 - Component placement machine and method thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2002028161A1
Application number: PCT/SG2001/000191
Authority: WO
Inventors: Cheng Sheng Chai; Pei Wee Stephen Chan; Kiyoshi Imai
Original assignee: Matsushita Technology (S) Pte Ltd.
Priority date: 2000-09-26
Filing date: 2001-09-26
Publication date: 2002-04-04

Abstract

A tool (10) for a component placement machine with a placement member that provides a plurality of air conduits. The tool (10) has three nozzles (14a, 14b, 14c) and is movably coupled and detachably mounted to the placement member. Within the tool (10) is a plurality of tool conduits that is respectively coupled to the plurality of air conduits. The tool (10) has three nozzle holders (12a, 12b, 12c) to respectively hold three nozzles(14a, 14b, 14c). Each of the nozzles (14a, 14b, 14c) is movably retained by each of the nozzle holders (12a, 12b, 12c). Varying air pressure within each of three chambers, respectively coupled to the nozzles (14a, 14b, 14c), enables each of these nozzles (14a, 14b, 14c) to be set to either a retracted position or a standby position.

Description

COMPONENT PLACEMENT MACHINE AND METHOD

THEREOF

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to component placement machines with nozzles for picking and placing components onto circuit substrates to form circuit assemblies. More particularly, the present invention relates to a component placement machine having a plurality of nozzles for each tool and method thereof.

Background

Pick and placement of components to form circuit assemblies in manufacturing processes is known. One way of performing pick and placement of components is with a component placement machine having a placement member, at which nozzles that operate by suction force are detachably mounted. In existing component placement machines, each of the nozzles is mounted to the placement member via a nozzle mount. The nozzle mount, known in the art as a tool, typically has a nozzle holder in which a single nozzle is movably retained.

Other than nozzles, a component placement machine also provides for air conduits that operably couple to the nozzles by means of a chamber within each nozzle holder. Control of air pressure within the chamber to provide negative air pressure or a vacuum via the air conduit provides a suction force at the tip of a nozzle that is coupled to that chamber. Consequently, setting a negative air pressure or vacuum within the chamber provides the suction force to pick and hold a component. Conversely, when air pressure is normalized or slightly positive, the component is released from the tip of the nozzle for placement.

In component placement machines of the type described in the above, spacing between nozzles mounted on adjacent tools of a placement member is fixed relative to each other. Usually, this spacing depends on the size of components to be picked. However, a problem with a fixed spacing between nozzles mounted on adjacent tools is that picking is restricted to components smaller than a particular size that depends on the fixed spacing. Consequently, components that are larger than the particular size cannot be appropriately held at the tips of such nozzles. Furthermore, changing the tools of such components placement machines to pick components with different sizes requires a tedious process of dismantling existing tools from a placement member to replace with other tools that are appropriately spaced apart to pick such components.

With continuing efforts to reduce manufacturing cycle time of circuit assembli es, enabling tool s of existing component placement machines to be easily changed to thereby pick components of different sizes is desired. Furthermore, such existing component placement machines have limited placement capabilities in that each tool is mounted with a single nozzle. Consequently, the number of components that can be picked for placement in these existmg component placement machines is limited to the number of tools available. Thus, manufacturing cycle time for circuit assemblies with many components can be reduced when more nozzles are available for a fixed number of tools.

Therefore, in view of the above limitations of existing component placement machines, a need clearly exists for a component placement machine that can pick and place more components with a fixed number of tools. Further, a need clearly exists for a method of using such a novel component placement machine to reduce manufacturing cycle time to form circuit assemblies.

Summary

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is disclosed a tool for a component placement machine having a placement member with a plurality of air conduits, the tool being movably coupled to the placement member and comprising:

means for detachably mounting the tool to the placement member; a plurality of tool conduits formed within the tool, each of the plurality of tool conduits being respectively coupled to each of the plurality of air conduits;

a plurality of nozzle holders, each of the plurality of nozzle holders having a chamber, the chamber being respectively coupled to each of the plurality of tool conduits:

and

a plurality of nozzles, each of the plurality of nozzles being movably coupled to respective the chamber and movably retained by each of the plurality of nozzle holders.

Generally, each of the plurality of nozzle holders can comprise a spring mounted within the chamber.

More generally, the detachably mounting means can comprise at least one ball bearing for complementary releasable engagement of the at least one tool with a sleeve of the placement member.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is disclosed a component placement machine for picking and placing components onto a circuit substrate, the component placement machine comprising:

a plurality of air conduits;

and a placement member having at least one tool movably coupled thereto, each of the at least one tool comprising:

a plurality of tool conduits formed within the tool, each of the plurality of tool conduits being respectively coupled to each of the plurality of air conduits;

a plurality of nozzle holders, each of the plurality of nozzle holders having a chamber, the chamber being respectively coupled to each of the plural ity of tool conduits;

and

Generally, each of the at least one tool can further comprise means for detachably mounting to a placement member of the component placement machine.

More generally, the component placement machine can further comprise at least one shaft for mounting respective the plurality of air conduits for each of the at least one tool.

Yet more generally, the component placement machine can further comprise at least one tablet, each of the at least one tablet having a plurality of tablet conduits for coupling respective the plurality of air conduits to respective the chamber of the plurality of nozzle holders for each of the at least one tool. In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, there is disclosed a component placement machine to pick and place components onto a circuit substrate, the component placement machine comprising:

means for picking at least one component, the picking means having at least one tool detachably mounted thereto and movable relative to the circuit substrate, each of the at least one tool having a plurality of nozzles, each of the plurality of nozzles being movable relative to the each of the at least one tool;

means for setting each of the plurality of nozzles to one of a plurality of positions, the plurality of positions including a retracted position and a standby position;

and

means for placing, for each of the at least one tool, one of the at least one component onto the circuit substrate, the one of the at least one component being held at the standby position by one of the plurality of nozzles of the each of the at least one tool.

Generally, the picking means can comprise means for simultaneously picking the at least one component.

Generally, the setting means can comprise means for varying air pressure within each of a plurality of chambers, the plurality of chambers being respectively coupled to the plurality of nozzles.

Optionally, the placing means can comprise means for simultaneously placing one or more of the at least one component by one or more of the at least one tool. Optionally, the component placement machine can further comprise means for retracting the one of the plurality of nozzles of the each of the at least one tool to the retracted position after the placing step.

More optionally, the component placement machine can further comprise means for extending another one of the plurality of nozzles holding another one of the at least one component to the standby position after the retracting.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, there is disclosed method for using a component placement machine to pick and place components onto a circuit substrate, the method comprising the steps of:

picking at least one component using a placement member of the component placement machine, the placement member having at least one tool detachably mounted thereto and movable relative to the placement member, each of the at least one tool having a plurality of nozzles, each of the plurality of nozzles being movable relative to the each of the at least one tool;

setting each of the plurality of nozzles to one of a plurality of positions, the plurality of positions including a retracted position and a standby position;

and

placing, for each of the at least one tool, one of the at least one component onto the circuit substrate, the one of the at least one component being held at the standby position by one of the plurality of nozzles of the each of the at least one tool.

Generally, the picking step can comprise the step of simultaneously picking the at least one component Generally, the setting step can comprise the step of varying air pressure within each of a plurality of chambers, the plurality of chambers being respectively coupled to the plurality of nozzles.

Optionally, the placing step can comprise the step of simultaneously placing one or more of the at least one component by one or more of the at least one tool

Optionally, the method can further comprise the step of retracting the one of the plurality of nozzles of the each of the at least one tool to the retracted position after the placing step.

More optionally, the method can further comprise the step of extending another one of the plurality of nozzles holding another one of the at least one component to the standby position after the retracting step.

Brief Description of the Drawings

A preferred embodiment of the invention is described hereinafter with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a tool in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is another isometric view of the tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating three of the tool of FIG. 1 in relation to a placement member of a component placement machine;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the tool of FIG. 1 when mounted to a tool- mounting portion of the placement member of FIG. 3; FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method for picking and placing components using the placement member of FIG. 3;

FIGs. 6a to 6m are a sequential illustration of placement of components by the method of FIG. 5;

FIGs. 7a to 7c illustrate use of the placement member of FIG. 3 to pick one component at a time;

FIG. 8 illustrates use of the placement member of FIG. 3 to pick components with varying sizes;

and

FIG. 9 illustrates selective use of nozzles of the placement member of FIG. 3.

Detailed Description

A tool with a plurality of nozzles, a component placement machine having such a tool and a method for using the component placement machine to pick and place components onto a circuit substrate in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention are described. In the following, numerous details are provided for a more thorough description. It shall be apparent to one skilled in the art, however, that the invention may be practised without such details. In other instances, well-known details have not been described at length so as not to obscure the invention.

The advantages of the preferred embodiment of the invention are manifold.

One advantage of the preferred embodiment of the invention is that tools of the component placement machine can pick up components of different sizes. Hence, a change of the tools is necessary only when there is a substantial change in the size of components. Consequently, another advantage of the preferred embodiment of the invention is that manufacturing cycle time is reduced for circuit assemblies that require components of different sizes as the tools may not need changing to accommodate the different sizes of such components.

A further advantage of the preferred embodiment of the invention is that varying air pressure within chambers respectively coupled to nozzles of the tools enables a plurality of positions for the nozzles. Hence, these nozzles can be set to a plurality of positions for pick and place operations.

Yet another advantage of the preferred embodiment of the invention is that more components can be picked at any one time with each of the tools of the component placement machine. Simultaneously picking more than one component in a single component pick cycle further helps to reduce manufacturing cycle time of a circuit assembly. Fuπhermore, depending on the layout of components on a circuit substrate for the circuit assembly, it is also possible to simultaneously place more than one component in a single placement cycle.

Referring now to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, two isometric views of a tool 10 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention are shown. The tool 10 has three nozzle holders 12a, 12b, 12c for respective three nozzles 1 a, 14b, 14c. Each of the nozzles 14a,14b,14c is movably retained, respectively, by each of the nozzle holders 12a,12b,12c

A placement member 20 of a component placement machine (not shown) for mounting the tool 10 is illustrated in FIG. 3. Three tools 10a, 10b, 10c are shown in close proximity to a tool mounting portion 22 of a tool housing 24 of the placement member 20. Details of how each of the tools 10a, 10b, 10c is mounted to the tool housing 24 are shown FIG. 4 using the tool 10a as an illustrative example. A cross-sectional view of the tool 10a when mounted to the tool-mounting portion 22 is shown in FIG. 4. The tool mounting portion 22 is coupled to a shaft 26 by means of screws 28,30.The shaft 26 houses a plurality of air conduits 32 and abuts a tablet 34 that has a plurality of tablet conduits 36.

Each of the tablet conduits 36 has an end 38 that connects to a respective air conduit 32. An opposite end 40 of each of the tablet conduits 36 respectively couples, via a tool conduit 42, to a chamber 44 within each of the plurality of nozzle holders 12. Each of the three nozzles 14a,14b,14c respectively has a tool conduit 42. Preferably, the tablet 34 is made with an elastic material to enable better contact against the shaft 26 and the tool conduit 42 than is possible with non-elastic materials.

The tool-mounting portion 22 has a sleeve 46 that is resiliently bias towards complementary releasable engagement with a ball bearing^'48 by a spring 50. In other words, the spring 50 biases the sleeve 46 in a direction towards the three nozzle holders 12a,12b,12c and thereby causes the ball bearing 48, mounted to the tool housing 24, to engage a groove 52 of the tool 10a and thereby provide a tool locking position as illustrated in FIG. 4.

Disengaging the tool 10a from the tool locking position is achieved by moving the sleeve 46 in an opposite direction that is away from the three nozzle holders 12a, 12b, 12c. This can be accomplished by applying a force against the sleeve 46 in that opposite direction. For example, a disengagement device (not shown) can be inserted into a slot 54 between the sleeve 46 and a flange 56 of the tool 10a and then applying the force, via the disengagement device, in the opposite direction.

A nozzle spring 58 is mounted within each of the three nozzle holders 12a, 12b, 12c. The nozzle spring 58 movably couples each of the three nozzles 14a, 14b, 14c to the chamber 44. A nozzle end 60 of the three nozzles 14a, 14b, 14c is slidable within the chamber 44. Control of air pressure within the chamber 44 enables either a retraction or an extension of each of the three nozzles 14a, 14b, 14c to a retracted position or a standby position, respectively, as described in the following.

In both the retracted and standby positions, air pressure within the chamber 5 44 can be varied to provide a suction force that is sufficient to hold a component. However, air pressure within the chamber 44 when the nozzle in the retracted position is more negative than that of the standby position. Consequently, in the retracted position, the more negative air pressure within the chamber 44 pulls the nozzle end 60 of the nozzles 14b,14c further inwards within the nozzle holder 12. 1_.0 This therefore provides a stronger compression force that acts against the nozzle spring 58 compared to that at the standby position to thereby enable the retracted position.

When placing components onto a circuit substrate, the suction force provided

15 to each of the nozzles 14a,14b,14c is reduced to an extent or is turned off so that components held at the tip of the nozzles 14a, 14b, 14c are released for placement. Placement as such requires control of the air pressure within the chamber 44 such that, for example, the nozzle 14a is extended to the standby position as shown. In addition, the tool 10a, as a whole, is moved closer towards the circuit substrate.

20

A method 70 for a component placement machine to pick and place components onto a circuit substrate is described hereinafter. It is to be noted that the component placement machine, as a whole, and the circuit substrate have not been shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 4. However, persons skilled in the art can easily understand

25 and enable the application of the tool 10 and the placement member 20 in accordance with the embodiments of the invention as described in this specification. Further, in describing the method 70 below, the placement member 20 shown with the three tools 10a, 10b, 10c in FIG. 3 is used only as an illustrative example. Hence, the placement member 20 may instead be mounted with a single tool, two tools or more

30 than three tools. Regardless of the number of tools mounted to pick and place components, the placement member 20 may operate with only one tool without any remaining tools being operated. Further, in describing the method 70 using FIGs. 6a to 6m, similar elements in these FIGs. are not labelled to simplify the drawings.

Referring now to the flow chart as shown in FIG. 5, the method 70 starts at step 71 and proceeds to step 72 in which at least one component is picked using at least one of the tools 10a,10b,10c of the placement member 20. As described earlier in this specification, each of the tools 10a, 10b, 10c is detachably mounted to the tool- mounting portion 22 by means of the sleeve 46 engaging the ball bearing 48.

When engaged in the tool locking position as illustrated in FIG.4, the sleeve

46 presses the ball bearing 48 against the groove 52. In the tool locking position, each of the three nozzles 14a, 14b, 14c is movable in a direction along a placement axis relative to a circuit substrate onto which at least one component is to be placed.

Upon picking the at least one component, the method 70 proceeds to setting each of the three nozzles 14a,14b,14c for each of the tools 10a,10b,10c to one of a plurality of positions at step 73. This is possible because each of the three nozzles 14a,14b,14c is movable relative to a respective tool 10a,10b,10c at which the three nozzles 14a,14b,14c are mounted. The plurality of positions includes a retracted position and a standby position. As described hereinbefore, control of air pressure within the chamber 44 of each of the three nozzle holders 12a,12b,12c causes, respectively, each of the three nozzles 14a,14b,14c to retract or to extend relative to a respective tool 10a, 10b, 10c.

With the three nozzles 14a,14b,14c for each of the tools 10a,10b,10c set at step 73, the method 70 proceeds to step 74 in which the at least one component that is(are) held by one or more of the three nozzles 14a,14b,14c at the standby position is(are) placed. It is important to note that the number of components that have been picked affects how the three nozzles 14a, 14b, 14c are sel and the sequence in which the components are placed. Reference is now also made to FIG. 6a to FIG. 6m that sequentially illustrates placement of nine components by the tools 10a, 10b, 10c when applying the method 70. To simplify FIG. 6a to FIG. 6m, the placement member 20 and the tools 10a, 10b, 10c are shown with illustrative blocks.

FIG. 6a illustrates simultaneously picking of nine components in the step 72 of the method 70. All three tools 10a, 10b, 10c are lowered relative to the placement member such that the tips of the nozzles 14a,14b,14c of the three tools 10a,10b,10c are in contact with the nine components.

FIG. 6b illustrates the nine components being transported in the direction indicated by the arrow 81 and towards a placement position. In transporting the nine components, the placement member 20 passes by a camera 82 that checks the nine components. Checking is performed to confirm that the nine components are correctly picked and properly oriented when held by the nozzles 14a,14b,14c for subsequent placement. During the transporting, the three nozzles 14a,14b,14c for all three tools 10a,10b,10c are kept in a similar position that is at a constant distance 83 from the camera 82.

After the camera 82 has checked that the nine components are correctly picked and properly oriented, one of the nozzles 14a,14b,14c for each of the three tools 10a,10b,10c is set at the standby position as illustrated in FIG. 6c by the nozzle 14a. At the same time, the remaining two nozzles 14b,14c are set to the retracted position.

In FIG. 6d, the tool 10a is lowered and a component that is held by the nozzle 14a of the tool 10a is placed onto the circuit substrate. Thereafter, FIG. 6e and FIG. 6f illustrates placement of two other components 85,86 held by the two nozzles 14a of the tools 10b, 10c, respectively. In addition, FIG. 6e also illustrates, for the tool 10a, the nozzle 14a retracted to the retracted position and the nozzle 14b extended to the standby position. Similarly, FIG. 6f illustrates, for the tool 10b, the nozzle 14a retracted to the retracted position and the nozzle 14b extended to the standby position. In FIG. 6g to FIG. 61, the remaining components are sequentially placed to attain the placement of the nine components as illustrated in FIG. 6m. It is important to note that sequentially placing the nine components, as illustrated in FIG. 6d to FIG. 61, is not restricted to this sequence and can be in any order depending on layout of the circuit substrate as well as how the three nozzles 14a, 14b, 14c for the three tools 10a, 10b, 10c are controlled by the component placement machine. For example, when appropriate, all nine components can be simultaneously placed if placement locations on the circuit substrate for the nine components correspond to relative disposition of the three nozzles 14a,14b,14c for all the three tools 10a,10b,10c

Referring once again to the flow chart of the method 70 shown in FIG. 5, FIG. 6g to FIG. 61 illustrates the setting step 73 and the placing step' 74 of the method 70. In addition, the step 75 of retracting each of the three nozzles 14a,14b,14c for each of the tools 10a,10b,10c after placement of a component and the step 76 of extending another one of the three nozzles 14a,14b,14c with a component for placement is similarly illustrated in FIG. 6g to FIG. 61.

Upon placement of the components as illustrated in FIG. 6c to 61, the method 70 provides for a determination at decision step 77 whether is there another component, picked at the picking step 72, for placement onto the circuit substrate. With a 'Υes", the method 70 returns to step 74 in which the another component is placed. Otherwise, the method 70 ends at step 78.

FIGs. 7a to 7c illustrate use of the placement member 20 to pick one component at a time. In FIG. 7a, the tool 10a has been lowered towards a component pick-up location 100 to pick a first component 101 using the nozzle 14a of the tool 10a. The nozzle 14a is extended to the standby position to enable picking of the first component 101. The other two nozzles 14b, 14c of the tool 10a is retracted in the retracted position. Thereafter, FIG. 7b illustrates, for the tool 10a, the nozzle 14a raised and the nozzle 14b extended to the standby position. At the same time, for the tool 10b, the nozzle 14a is lowered to pick a second component 102.

FIG. 7c illustrates the tool 10c when lowered to pick a third component 103 using the nozzle 14a of the tool 10c. FIG. 7c also illustrates respective nozzles 14a of the tools 10a,10b holding the first component 101 and the second component 102.

As shown in FIGs. 7a to 7c, the tools 10a,10b,10c can be applied with a different sequence to pick components. Hence, use of the tools 10a, 10b, 10c allows variations in picking components.

FIG. 8 illustrates use of the placement member 20 to pick components with varying sizes. For example, the tool 10a has three components 110, 111, 112 respectively held by the three nozzles 14a, 14b, 14c. The component 111 has a different size compared with the components 110,112.

FIG. 8 illustrates use of the placement member 20 to pick components with varying sizes. For example, the tool 10a has three components 110,111,112 respectively held by the three nozzles 14a,14b,14c. The component 111 has a different size compared with the components 110,112.

FIG. 9 illustrates selective use of the nozzles 14a,14b,14c of the tools 10a,10b,10c of the placement member 20. Only two of the nozzles 14a,14c of each of the tools 10a, 10b, 10c are used to pick components. Hence, for example, referring to the tool 10a, the nozzles 14a, 14c are holding components 120,121 respectively while the nozzle 14b is not holding any component.

Also illustrated in FIG. 9 are the remaining two tools 10b, 10c holding two other components 122,123 respectively. As shown, the nozzle 14c of the tool 10b is holding the component 122. However, for the tool 10c, the nozzle 14b is holding the component 123 that is of a different size to the components 120,122. Hence, the tools 10a, 10b, 10c can be separately controlled to vary in picking different components using different ones of the nozzles 14a, 14b, 14c for each of the tools 10a, 10b, 10c.

The preferred embodiment of the invention provides for the tool 10 with a plurality of nozzles 14a, 14b, 14c, a component placement machine having the tool 10 and a method 70 for using the component placement machine to pick and place components onto a circuit substrate. Accordingly, the preferred embodiment of the invention overcomes the limitations of existing component placement machines as more components can be picked with a fixed number_^ for example three, of the tools 10a, 10b, 10c mounted to the placement member 20. Furthermore, use of the component placement machine having at least one of the tools reduces manufacturing cycle time to form circuit assemblies compared to existing component placement machines.

In the foregoing description, a tool with a plurality of nozzles, a component placement machine having such a tool and a method for using the component placement machine to pick and place components onto a circuit substrate in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention are described. Although the preferred embodiment is described, it shall be apparent to one skilled in the art in view of this preferred embodiment that numerous changes and/or modifications can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims

Claims:

.1. A tool for a component placement machine having a placement member with a plurality of air conduits, said tool being movably coupled to said placement member and comprising:

means for detachably mounting said tool to said placement member;

a plurality of tool conduits formed within said tool, each of said plurality of tool conduits being respectively coupled to each of said plurality of air conduits;

a plurality of nozzle holders, each of said plurality of nozzle holders having a chamber, said chamber being respectively coupled to each of said plurality of tool conduits;

and

a plurality of nozzles, each of said plurality of nozzles being movably coupled to respective said chamber and movably retained by each of said plurality of nozzle holders.

2. The tool as claimed in Claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of nozzle holders comprises a spring mounted within said chamber.

3. The tool as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein said detachably mounting means comprises at least one ball bearing for complementary releasable engagement of said at least one tool with a sleeve of said placement member.

. A component placement machine for picking and placing components onto a circuit substrate, said component placement machine comprising:

a plurality of air conduits;

and

a placement member having at least one tool movably coupled thereto, each of said at least one tool comprising:

and

5. The component placement machine as claimed in Claim 4, wherein each of said at least one tool further comprises means for detachably mounting to a placement member of said component placement machine.

6. The component placement machine as claimed in Claim 4, and further comprising at least one shaft for mounting respective said plurality of air conduits for each of said at least one tool. 19

7. The component placement machine as claimed in Claim 4, and further comprising at least one tablet, each of said at least one tablet having a plurality of tablet conduits for coupling respective said plurality of air conduits to respective said chamber of said plurality of nozzle holders for each of said at least one tool.

. A component placement machine to pick and place components onto a circuit substrate, said component placement machine comprising:

means for picking at least one component, said picking means having at least one tool detachably mounted thereto and movable relative to said circuit substrate, each of said at least one tool having a plurality of nozzles, each of said plurality of nozzles being movable relative to said each of said at least one tool;

means for setting each of said plurality of nozzles to one of a plurality of positions, said plurality of positions including a retracted position and a standby position;

and

means for placing, for each of said at least one tool, one of said at least one component onto said circuit substrate, said one of said at least one component being held at said standby position by one of said plurality of nozzles of said each of said at least one tool.

The component placement machine as claimed in Claim 8, wherein said picking means comprises means for simultaneously picking said at least one component.

10. The component placement machine as claimed in Claim 8, wherein said setting means comprises means for varying air pressure within each of a plurality of chambers, said plurality of chambers being respectively coupled to said plurality of nozzles.

11. The component placement machine as claimed in Claim 8, wherein said placing means comprises means for simultaneously placing one or more of said at least one component by one or more of said at least one tool.

12. The component placement machine as claimed in Claim 8, and further comprising means for retracting said one of said plurality of nozzles of said each of said at least one tool to said retracted position after said placing step.

13. The component placement machine as claimed in Claim 12, and further comprising means for extending another one of said plurality of nozzles holding another one of said at least one component to said standby position after said retracting.

4. A method for using a component placement machine to pick and place components onto a circuit substrate, said method comprising the steps of:

picking at least one component using a placement member of said component placement machine, said placement member having at least one tool detachably mounted thereto and movable relative to said placement member^ each of said at least one tool having a plurality of nozzles, each of said plurality of nozzles being movable relative to said each of said at least one tool;

setting each of said plurahty of nozzles to one of a plurality of positions, said plurality of positions including a retracted position and a standby position;

and

placing, for each of said at least one tool, one or more of said at least one component onto said circuit substrate, said one of said at least one component being held at said standby position by one of said plurality of nozzles of said each of said at least one tool.

15. The method as claimed in Claim 14, wherein said picking step comprises the step of simultaneously picking said at least one component.

16. The method as claimed in Claim 14, wherein said setting step comprises the step of varying air pressure within each of a plurality of chambers, said plurality of chambers being respectively coupled to said plurality of nozzles.

17. The method as claimed in Claim 14, wherein said placing step comprises the step of simultaneously placing one or more of said at least one component by one or more of said at least one tool.

18. The method as claimed in Claim 14, and further comprising the step of retracting said one of said plurality of nozzles of said each of said at least one tool to said retracted position after said placing step.

19. The method as claimed in Claim 18 and further comprising the step of extending another one of said plurality of nozzles holding another one of said at least one component to said standby position after said retracting step.