Spindle module, pick-and-place machine and method

A method of assembly comprising:

• providing a pick-and-place machine having a first movement axis;
• providing a spindle bank attached to the pick and place machine such that the spindle bank is movable along the first movement axis:
• providing a first pick-and-place spindle module including:
• a modular body structure including a first receiving location;
• a first z-axis motor;
• a first theta motor;
• an air distribution system including an air distribution port;
• an electrical distribution system including an electrical distribution port;
• and
• a mechanical attachment mechanism;
• attaching, using the mechanical attachment mechanism, the first pick-and-place spindle module to the spindle bank such that the air distribution port is connected to receive air from an element of the spindle bank and the electrical distribution port is connected to receive electricity from an element of the spindle bank;
• receiving, by the receiving location of the modular body structure, a first spindle;
• moving, by the first z-axis motor, the received first spindle in a z-axis;
• rotating, by the first theta motor, the received first spindle;
• delivering, by the air distribution system, received air from the air distribution port to the received first spindle;
• delivering, by the electrical distribution system, received electricity from the electrical distribution port to the received first spindle;
• moving the spindle bank along the first movement axis;
• and
• at least partially assembling, by the attached first pick-and-place spindle module, at least one unfinished product.

A pick-and-place machine comprising:

• a feeder location configured to present electronic components for picking;
• a placement location configured to receive an unfinished product to place the electronic components;
• a first movement axis;
• a spindle bank movable along the first movement axis;
• and
• a pick-and-place spindle module attached to the spindle bank including:
• a modular body structure including a first receiving location configured to receive a spindle;
• a first z-axis motor configured to move a spindle received in the first receiving location in a z-axis;
• a first theta motor configured to rotate a spindle received in the receiving location;
• an air distribution system including an air distribution port, the air distribution system configured to deliver received air from the air distribution port to a spindle received in the first receiving location;
• an electrical distribution system including an electrical distribution port, the electrical distribution system configured to deliver received electricity from the electricity distribution port to the first z-axis motor and the first theta motor;
• and
• a mechanical attachment mechanism, the mechanical attachment mechanism attaching the modular body structure to the spindle bank such that the air distribution port is connected to receive air and the electrical distribution port is configured to receive electricity.