Ellen Tobin Reid

US Patent:

57496145, May 12, 1998

Filed:

Dec 4, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/567012

Inventors:

Ellen Margaret Reid - Boca Raton FL
Douglas Bruce Feicht - Phoenix AZ
Dennis Brian Miller - Barrington IL
Daniel Joseph Viza - Phoenix AZ
Mark William McGarry - Tempe AZ

Assignee:

Motorola, Inc. - Schaumburg IL

International Classification:

B25J 1506

US Classification:

294 641

Abstract:

A vacuum pickup tool (10) is effective to carry balls (18) arranged in a desired pattern. The vacuum pickup tool (10) includes a manifold (12) that includes a carrier plate (22) that has a plurality of manifold bores (28) arranged in a pattern. The manifold (12) defines a vacuum chamber (20) that reduces gas pressure in the manifold (12) to allow the manifold bores (28) to retain a ball (18). The manifold (12) further includes a retaining plate (14) that overlies the carrier plate (22) and includes a plurality of retaining plate bores (30) arranged in a pattern such that each retaining plate bore (30) registers with a corresponding manifold bore (28). The retaining plate (14) is effective to secure a stencil (16) formed of a gas-impermeable sheet against the carrier plate (22) to prevent gas flow between a manifold bore (28) and a corresponding retaining plate bore (30).