Variable-pitch pick and place device

A method for moving electronic devices from a first location to a second location with a plurality of electronic-device grippers arranged in a row and spaced apart from each other along the row, the method comprising:

• picking up respective electronic devices with the electronic-device grippers at the first location and with the electronic-device grippers at a first pitch or spacing;
• selecting a value corresponding to a desired pitch or spacing for the electronic-device grippers from a look up table;
• and
• adjusting the pitch between the electronic-device grippers to a desired pitch based upon the value obtained from the look up table.

A method for moving electronic devices, comprising:

• providing a plurality of electronic-device grippers arranged in a row and a frame supporting said plurality of electronic-device grippers for movement along the row;
• picking up respective electronic devices with said plurality of electronic-device grippers;
• and
• adjusting the spacing between adjacent electronic-device grippers to adjust the spacing between adjacent electronic devices while maintaining the center of the row of electronic-device grippers at a fixed position relative to the frame and maintaining equal spacing between adjacent electronic-device grippers.

A method for moving electronic devices with a plurality of gripper mechanisms, the method comprising:

• moving at least one of the gripper mechanisms downward toward a down position for gripping a respective electronic device;
• detecting whether the at least one of the gripper mechanisms is in the down position;
• activating the at least one gripper mechanism to grip a respective electronic device;
• moving the at least one gripper mechanism upward toward an up position;
• and
• adjusting the spacing between gripper mechanisms.

A method for moving electronic devices comprising:

• providing a plurality of gripper mechanisms arranged in a row and carried by a pantograph linkage for movement along the row;
• picking up the electronic devices with a respective gripper mechanism;
• and
• applying a moving force to the pantograph linkage adjacent to one end of the row in a first direction and applying a moving force to the pantograph linkage mechanism adjacent to the other end of the row in a second direction opposite the first direction for varying the length of the pantograph linkage and thereby changing the spacing between the gripper mechanisms along the row.

A method of supporting electronic-device grippers so as to be of variable pitch or spacing, the method comprising:

• supporting a plurality of electronic-device grippers on a pantograph having first and second ends at spaced apart locations;
• extending the pantograph in a first direction to increase the pitch between the electronic-device grippers and retracting the pantograph in a second direction opposite of the first direction to decrease the pitch between the electronic-device grippers;
• and
• restricting a first location of the pantograph from movement in the first and second directions, the first location being intermediate the first and second ends of the pantograph.

A method of extending and retracting a pantograph supporting a plurality of electronic-device grippers to vary the pitch or spacing between the electronic-device grippers, the method comprising:

• coupling a tensile force transmitting member to the pantograph at first and second spaced apart locations;
• driving the tensile force transmitting member in a first direction to extend the pantograph and increase the spacing between the electronic-device grippers;
• driving the tensile force transmitting member in a second direction opposite to the first direction to retract the pantograph and decrease the spacing between the electronic-device grippers;
• and
• electronically and selectively controlling the driving of the tensile force transmitting member.