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US 10,948,534 B2Granted
Automated test system employing robotics
AssigneeTeradyne, Inc.
InventorsDavid Paul Bowyer, Jianfa Pei, John P. Toscano, Philip Campbell, Valquirio N. Carvalho
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An example test system includes robotics configured to operate on devices at a first level of precision, and stages configured to operate at levels of precision that are less than the first level of precision. Each of the stages may include parallel paths that are configured to pass the devices between adjacent stages.
Claims67
A test system comprising:
- robotics configured to operate on devices, the robotics comprising a robot to move the devices into or out of a test carrier, the robot having a first tolerance that allows the robot to position one of the devices in the test carrier at a position that deviates from a first target position in the test carrier by a first amount;
- and
- stages comprising parallel paths that are configured to pass the devices between adjacent stages, the stages being different from the robotics, each of the stages having a second tolerance that allows a stage to position one of the devices in the stage at a position that deviates from a second target position in the stage by a second amount;
- wherein the second amount is greater than the first amount.
1 more element
A test system comprising:
- robotics comprising a robot configured to operate on devices;
- stages comprising parallel paths that are configured to pass the devices between adjacent stages;
- and a test carrier comprising a test socket for holding a device under test, the device under test being one of the devices;
- wherein the stages comprise:
- a test rack comprising a test slot;
- a test arm configured to receive the test carrier, to flip the test carrier, to rotate the test carrier, and to push the test carrier into the test slot following rotating the test carrier, the test arm comprising a pusher that is air-controlled to extend and thereby push the test carrier into the test slot;
- and
- a pneumatic system to deliver air to the pusher to push the test carrier, the pneumatic system comprising at least one rotary cable that is configured to deliver both air to move the pusher and to transmit electrical signals to and from the test arm.
5 more elements
A test system comprising:
- robotics configured to operate on devices;
- stages comprising parallel paths that are configured to pass the devices between adjacent stages;
- and
- a test carrier comprising a test socket for holding a device under test, the device under test being one of the devices;
- wherein the stages comprise:
- a test rack comprising a test slot;
- and
- a test arm configured to receive the test carrier, to flip the test carrier, to rotate the test carrier, and to push the test carrier into the test slot following rotating the test carrier;
- wherein the test arm comprises a pusher that is configured to extend and thereby push the test carrier into the test slot, the pusher comprising a head that is configured to engage a member on the test carrier to push the test carrier.
6 more elements
A test system comprising:
- robotics configured to operate on devices;
- stages comprising parallel paths that are configured to pass the devices between adjacent stages;
- and
- a test carrier to hold devices tested or to be tested, the devices tested or to be tested being among the devices passed between adjacent stages;
- wherein the stages comprise:
- a test slot;
- and
- a test arm comprising:
- a pusher that mates to the test carrier, the pusher being extendible and retractable to move the test carrier relative to the test slot;
- and
- a carrier holder to hold the test carrier on the test arm, the carrier holder comprising a gripper that is spring-loaded to hold the test carrier and to maintain the test carrier within the carrier holder.
8 more elements
A test system comprising:
- robotics configured to operate on devices;
- stages comprising parallel paths that are configured to pass the devices between adjacent stages;
- a test carrier comprising a test socket, the test socket for receiving a device for test, the test socket comprising electrical connections, the device for test being one of the devices;
- a socket cap to contact the device for test to apply pressure to cause the device for test to connect electrically to the electrical connections;
- and
- an actuator that is movable relative to the socket cap to engage the socket cap;
- wherein the stages comprise a carrier shuttle having a surface to receive the test carrier, the surface comprising ports to force air to float the test carrier or to suction air to hold the test carrier.
4 more elements
A test system comprising:
- robotics configured to operate on devices;
- stages comprising parallel paths that are configured to pass the devices between adjacent stages;
- a test socket in one of the stages, the test socket for receiving a device for test, the test socket comprising electrical connections, the device for test being one of the devices;
- a socket cap to fit over the test socket and to contact the device for test to apply pressure to cause the device for test to connect electrically to the electrical connections;
- and
- an actuator that is movable relative to the socket cap to engage the socket cap.
3 more elements
A test system comprising:
- robotics configured to operate on devices;
- stages comprising parallel paths that are configured to pass the devices between adjacent stages, the stages comprising:
- trays to hold ones of the devices that have been tested and ones of the devices that are to be tested, the trays containing cells, each cell for holding a single device;
- a device shuttle to transport the devices that have been tested, or the devices that are to be tested, between the trays and a stage of the test system configured to receive devices that have been tested or to forward devices to be tested;
- and
- a robot to move the devices that have been tested or the devices that are to be tested between the trays and the device shuttle;
- one or more cameras to image cells of the trays;
- and
- one or more processing devices to locate cells of the trays that do not contain a device based on the image data, and to control the robot to move based on locations of the cells that do not contain a device.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.