Steven C Alexander

US Patent:

6481187, Nov 19, 2002

Filed:

Apr 7, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/462555

Inventors:

Merlin E. Behnke - Grafton WI
Steven J. Alexander - Milwaukee WI
Donald P. McGee - Oconomowoc WI
Todd K. Pichler - New Berlin WI
John Novak - Hartford WI

Assignee:

Robotic Vision Systems, Inc. - Canton MA

International Classification:

B65B 728

US Classification:

53471, 53473, 53 51, 53250, 53281

Abstract:

A carrier tape drive used in conjunction with a pick and place module. The drive advances carrier tape to a desired position in two steps. The first step includes substantially stopping a carrier tape compartment short of a loading position, and the second step includes moving the compartment into the loading position.

US Patent:

6735927, May 18, 2004

Filed:

Oct 1, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/262245

Inventors:

Merlin E. Behnke - Grafton WI
Steven J. Alexander - Milwaukee WI
Donald P. McGee - Oconomowoc WI
Todd K. Pichler - New Berlin WI
John Novak - Hartford WI

Assignee:

International Product Technology, Inc. - New Berlin WI

International Classification:

B65B 504

US Classification:

53473, 53 64, 53250

Abstract:

A drive for a carrier tape used in conjunction with a pick and place module of a machine for inspecting and handling advances the carrier tape to its desired position in two steps. Using the number of sprocket holes between compartments in the tape (n holes), the first step is n-1 sprocket holes. The second step takes the carrier tape the remaining distance to complete the advance to the distance equal to n sprocket holes. The tape is driven by friction rollers not by the use of the sprocket holes. The presence of a device in a compartment and its proper positioning in the compartment is also inspected.

US Patent:

63118866, Nov 6, 2001

Filed:

Nov 4, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/434116

Inventors:

Steven J. Alexander - Milwaukee WI
Jon Ubert - New Berlin WI

Assignee:

Robotic Vision Systems, Inc. - Canton MA

International Classification:

B65H 2600

US Classification:

226 45

Abstract:

The invention provides a pick and place system having a taper module that determines both placement and direction of the carrier tape by optically counting sprocket holes as they move in either direction. Compartments in a carrier tape are serially spaced along the longitudinal axis of the tape. The tape also includes a plurality of sprocket holes serially spaced along a line that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tape. The distance between compartments corresponds to a predetermined number of sprocket holes. Two optical couplers are set at a predetermined distance smaller than the s pacing between consecutive sprocket holes. Signals from the couplers will have a unique sequence depending on the direction of the tape. By using direction and number of sprocket holes, the exact position of the tape can be determined.