Automated apparatus and method for positioning multicontact component

A method of positioning a multi-contact component on a circuit board, comprising:

• picking up a component by a movable positioning member;
• moving said component over a first viewing means for orientation determination of the component;
• moving said positioning member to position a second viewing means mounted on said movable member to view a target on said circuit board for orientation determination of the target;
• moving said positioning member to position said component over said board, said component being positioned and oriented relative to said target from said orientation determination by said first and second viewing means;
• and
• placing said components on said board;
• and
• calibrating said first viewing means for aspect ratio, pixel dimension and angular relationship, between parallel planes, of the coordinates of the first viewing means and the positioning member.

Apparatus for positioning a multi-contact component on a circuit board, comprising:

• a movable positioning member;
• pick-up means on said positioning member for picking up and carrying a component;
• first and second viewing means cooperating with said positioning member, said second viewing means being mounted on said positioning member;
• means cooperating with said positioning member and said first viewing means for moving said positioning member to position said component over said first viewing means
• means cooperating with said positioning member and said second viewing means for moving said positioning member to position said second viewing means over a target position on a circuit board;
• means cooperating with said first viewing means and said pick up means for determining the orientation of said component relative to said first viewing means;
• means cooperating with said second viewing means and said positioning member for determining the orientation of said target relative to said second viewing means;
• and
• means cooperating with said first and second viewing means and said positioning member for moving said positioning member to position said component over said target with said component correctly oriented relative to said target.