Component test apparatus and component transport method

A component transport method carried out by a component test apparatus that performs a test on an electronic component, the component test apparatus including a component loading device that loads the electronic component to a loading position, a transport hand capable of holding the electronic component so as to transport the electronic component from the loading position to a plurality of functional stations located at a test position, and to transport the tested electronic component from the functional stations to an unloading position, and a component unloading device that unloads the electronic component from the unloading position, the method comprising:

• arranging the functional stations having mutually different functions to be spaced apart at equal intervals along a movement direction of the transport hand;
• providing, in the transport hand, a plurality of index units that are capable of holding the electronic component independently from one another and operating independently from one another;
• arranging a first electronic component held by a first index unit of the index units in a first functional station of the functional stations;
• performing the test on the first electronic component arranged in the first functional station;
• moving the transport hand along the movement direction by a distance equal to the interval between each adjacent pair of the functional stations after the test;
• and
• arranging a second electronic component held by a second index unit adjacent to the first index unit in the first functional station, and arranging the first electronic component held by the first index unit in a second functional station adjacent to the first functional station.

A component transport method carried out by a component test apparatus that performs a test on an electronic component, the component test apparatus including a component loading device that loads the electronic component to a loading position, two transport hands each capable of holding the electronic component so as to transport the electronic component from the loading position to a plurality of functional stations located at a test position, and to transport the tested electronic component from the functional stations to an unloading position, and a component unloading device that unloads the electronic component from the unloading position, the method comprising:

• arranging the functional stations having identical functions to be spaced apart at equal intervals along a movement direction of the transport hands;
• providing, in each transport hand, a plurality of index units that are capable of holding the electronic component independently from one another and operating independently from one another, the index units of each transport hand being spaced apart at intervals equal to the intervals at which the functional stations are spaced apart along a transport direction of the electronic component from the loading position to the test position;
• assigning the electronic components held by the two transport hands to the functional stations;
• and
• arrange the electronic components held by the two transport hands in the functional stations to which the electronic component have been assigned through cooperation of the two transport hands.

A component transport method carried out by a component test apparatus that performs a test on an electronic component, the component test apparatus including a component loading device that loads the electronic component to a loading position, a transport hand capable of holding the electronic component so as to transport the electronic component from the loading position to a plurality of functional stations located at a test position, and to transport the tested electronic component from the functional stations to an unloading position, and a component unloading device that unloads the electronic component from the unloading position, the method comprising:

• arranging the functional stations having identical functions to be spaced apart at equal intervals along a movement direction of the transport hand;
• providing, in the transport hand, a plurality of index units that are capable of holding the electronic component independently from one another and operating independently from one another;
• holding a greater number of electronic components than the functional stations by means of the index units;
• and
• arranging, through independent operations of one or more of the index units that correspond to one or more of the functional stations, the electronic components held by said one or more of the index units in the corresponding functional stations.