Pick and place apparatus for transferring objects

A pick and place apparatus of an IC test handler for picking and placing an object by controlling a suction force, comprising:

• a negative pressure source using a vacuum elector for generating said suction force for picking or releasing said object;
• a suction pad provided with said negative pressure source through a hose to contact said object for picking and placing said object by said suction force from said negative pressure source;
• a pressure switch for opening a path in said hose to supply said suction force to said suction pad or closing said path to prevent said suction force from supplying to said suction pad;
• a first pressure detector for detecting first predetermined negative pressure in said hose in a process for picking up said object;
• a second pressure detector for detecting second predetermined negative pressure in said hose in a suction-release process for placing said object on a predetermined position;
• and
• a controller for controlling a switching operation of said pressure switch and an overall operation of the pick and place apparatus to proceed to the next procedure immediately upon receiving a suction detection signal from said first pressure detector or a suction-release detection signal from said second pressure detector.

A pick and place apparatus for picking and placing an object by controlling a suction force, comprising:

• a negative pressure source for generating said suction force to be applied to said object;
• a first pressure detector for detecting first predetermined negative pressure in said hose in a process for picking up said object;
• a second pressure detector for detecting second predetermined negative pressure in said hose in a release process for releasing said object on a predetermined position;
• a timer for generating an end signal at predetermined time after receiving a detection signal from said first pressure detector or said second pressure detector;
• a controller for controlling an overall operation of the pick and place apparatus to proceed to the next operational procedure upon receiving said end signal from said timer.