Lead inspection and straightener apparatus and method with scanning

A method for scanning the lead to lead integrity of electronic devices having an axial length and lead extending from the side thereof, comprising the steps of:

• moving individual devices axially along a path;
• stopping each of said devices at a predetermined location on said path and positioning said device in a scanning orientation;
• scanning axially along the length of said device and providing a signal upon intersection of leads extending from said device;
• and
• comparing actual signals from said scanning means with predetermined signals to determine the existence and spacing of each lead with respect to a predetermined pattern, and providing a signal based on said comparison for each device.

A system for inspecting and straightening the lead integrity and coplanarity of electronic devices having an axial length and leads extending therefrom, comprising:

• track means for defining a path for said devices along said axial length from an inlet, sequentially to a first station for lead to lead scanning, a second station for coplanarity scanning, a third station for lead to lead straightening, and a fourth station for coplanarity adjustment and to an output station;
• clamping rail means aligned with said track for cooperatively holding said devices at any location on said track;
• stop means for stopping said devices along said track at each of said stations and activating said clamping rail means;
• and
• controller means for sequentially activating said first and second station to provide first and second signals indicating acceptance, repair or rejection of individual devices, said controller means activating both of said third and fourth station upon generation of a repair signal from either or both of said first and second stations, said outlet station adapted to separate devices upon receipt of a signal indicating acceptance or repair from devices upon receipt of a reject signal.

Lead scanning apparatus for scanning the lead to lead integrity of electronic devices having a body portion and a plurality of lead extending from opposite sides thereof, comprising:

• track means for moving individual electronic devices axially along a path;
• a scanning station on said path, including stop means for stopping and positioning each of said devices to align each device at a predetermined fixed location on said path and also including holding means for positioning and maintaining said device in a scanning orientation and prevent axial and lateral movement at said predetermined location to prevent lateral and axial shift errors;
• scanning means movably positioned at said station for scanning axially close to said body portion and on both sides along the length of said device with an encoded digital output not dependent on velocity to eliminate a velocity variation between individual electronic devices to provide a signal relative to a fixed point in space with respect to said stop means upon intersection with each lead extending from said device;
• and
• comparator means for comparing actual signals form said scanning means with predetermined signals based on said fixed point to determine the existence and spacing of each lead with respect to a predetermined pattern, said comparator means providing a signal based on said comparison for each device.

A system for inspecting and straightening the lead integrity of electronic devices having an axial length and leads extending therefrom, comprising:

• track means for defining a path for said devices along said axial length from a inlet, sequentially to a first station for lead to lead scanning and a second station for lead to lead straightening, and to an output station;
• clamping rail means aligned with said track for cooperatively holding said devices at any location on said track;
• stop means for stopping said devices along said track at each of said stations and activating said clamping rail means;
• and
• controller means for sequentially activating said first station to provide first signals indicating acceptance, repair or rejection of individual devices, said controller means activating said second station upon generation of a repair signal from said first station, said outlet station adapted to separate devices upon receipt of a signal indicating acceptance or repair from devices upon receipt of a reject signal.