Robotic system for optically inspecting workpieces

A method for testing workpieces comprising:

• causing one or more robotic arms to move a set of workpieces from a source of workpieces to a first tester;
• inspecting said workpieces with said first tester;
• causing said one or more robotic arms to place inspected workpieces in either a first, second or third output container in response to said inspecting, said first output container containing acceptable workpieces, said second output container containing workpieces to be further evaluated and/or re-worked, said third output container being a reject container;
• causing one or more robotic arms to place workpieces that would otherwise be placed in said second output container to be placed in said third output container when said second output container is full;
• and
• continuing to operate said first tester and said one or more robotic arms when said second output container is full.

A method for testing workpieces comprising:

• causing one or more robotic arms to move a set of workpieces from a source of workpieces to a first tester;
• inspecting said workpieces with said first tester;
• causing said one or more robotic arms to place inspected workpieces in either a first, second or third output container in response to said inspecting, said first output container containing acceptable workpieces, said second output container containing workpieces to be further evaluated and/or re-worked, said third output container being a reject container;
• causing one or more robotic arms to place workpieces that would otherwise be placed in said second output container to be placed in said third output container when said second output container is full;
• causing said one or more robotic arms to move workpieces from said source of workpieces to a second tester;
• inspecting the workpieces placed in said second tester;
• causing said one or more robotic arms to move said workpieces from said second tester to said first, second or third output containers or a fourth output container in response to said inspection by said second tester, said fourth output container receiving workpieces for further evaluation and/or re-working.

A method for testing workpieces comprising:

• causing one or more robotic arms to move a set of workpieces from a source of workpieces to a first tester;
• inspecting said workpieces with said first tester;
• causing said one or more robotic arms to place inspected workpieces in either a first, second or third output container in response to said inspecting, said first output container containing acceptable workpieces, said second output container containing workpieces to be further evaluated and/or re-worked, said third output container being a reject container;
• and
• causing one or more robotic arms to place workpieces that would otherwise be placed in said second output container to be placed in said third output container when said second output container is full, wherein a first one of said one or more robotic arms provides said workpieces to said first tester and a second one of said one or more robotic arms provides said workpieces to said first, second or third output containers.

A method for testing workpieces comprising:

• causing one or more robotic arms to move a set of workpieces from a source of workpieces to a first tester;
• inspecting said workpieces with said first tester;
• causing said one or more robotic arms to place inspected workpieces in either a first, second or third output container in response to said inspecting, said first output container containing acceptable workpieces, said second output container containing workpieces to be further evaluated and/or re-worked, said third output container being a reject container;
• causing one or more robotic arms to place workpieces that would otherwise be placed in said second output container to be placed in said third output container when said second output container is full, wherein said one or more robotic arms, said first tester, said source of workpieces, and said first, second and third output containers are within a safety enclosure, and said second output container is in a drawer, said method further comprising replacing said second output container by:
• opening said drawer to thereby withdraw said second output container from said safety enclosure;
• replacing said second output container in said drawer;
• and
• closing said drawer.

An apparatus comprising:

• a source of workpieces to be tested;
• a tester for inspecting said workpieces;
• a plurality of output containers for receiving workpieces from said tester;
• one or more robotic arms for transferring workpieces from said source to said tester and from said tester to said output containers;
• a safety enclosure surrounding said tester and said one or more robotic arms,
• wherein at least a first one of said output containers comprises a drawer that can be withdrawn from said safety enclosure without removing said safety enclosure and without shutting down said apparatus.

A method for operating a testing apparatus comprising:

• moving workpieces from a source of workpieces to a tester using one or more robotic arms;
• testing said workpieces with said tester;
• moving said workpieces from said tester with said one or more robotic arms to one of a plurality of output containers depending upon said testing, wherein said robotic arms, tester and output containers are within a safety enclosure, at least a first one of said output containers comprising a drawer;
• opening said drawer and removing said workpieces therein without opening said safety enclosure;
• and
• continuing to operate said testing apparatus while said drawer is open.