Method and device for filling carrier tapes with electronic components

A device comprising:

• a carrier tape comprising a plurality of pockets;
• a turret having at least one component holder configured to load an electronic component into one of the plurality of pockets of the carrier tape;
• a plurality of component holders disposed in the turret;
• a motor coupled with the carrier tape and configured to move the carrier tape backward and forward;
• an inspection system to automatically detect that an electronic component located within one of the plurality of pockets of the carrier tape is defective, and in response to detecting that an electronic component located within one of the plurality of pockets of the carrier tape is defective initiates the motor to rotate the turret in a first direction and move the carrier tape backwards if the electronic component is detected as being defective;
• an unloading system, to be presented above the pocket of the carrier tape and distinct from the component holder, to remove the defective electronic component from the pocket of the carrier tape;
• and
• a loading system on the turret, to be presented above the pocket of the carrier tape after the turret rotates in a second direction opposite the first direction, to fill the pocket of the carrier tape with a new electronic component.

A method for filling a carrier tape with electronic components and for removing and replacing defective electronic components from the carrier tape, the method comprising:

• loading an electronic component from one or a plurality of component holders disposed in a turret, into a pocket of a carrier tape;
• moving the carrier tape forward;
• performing a visual inspection of the electronic component in the carrier tape;
• automatically detecting that the electronic component in the carrier tape is defective based on the visual inspection;
• rotating the turret in a first direction to allow an unloading device to be presented above the pocket of the carrier tape;
• moving the carrier tape backward;
• unloading the defective electronic component from the carrier tape using the unloading device;
• rotating the turret in a second direction opposite to the first direction to allow a loading system on the turret to be presented above the pocket of the carrier tape;
• and
• filling the pocket of the carrier tape with a new electronic component using the loading system.

A method comprising

• loading an electronic component from one or a plurality of component holders disposed in a turret, into a pocket of a carrier tape;
• moving the carrier tape forward;
• performing a visual inspection of the electronic component in the carrier tape;
• automatically detecting that the electronic component in the carrier tape is defective based on the visual inspection;
• rotating the turret in a first direction to allow a vacuum system to be presented above the pocket of the carrier tape;
• moving the carrier tape backward;
• unloading the defective electronic component from the carrier tape using the vacuum system;
• rotating the turret in a second direction opposite to the first direction to allow a loading system on the turret to be presented above the pocket of the carrier tape;
• and
• filling the pocket of the carrier tape with a new electronic component using the loading system, wherein the loading system is distinct from the component holder and distinct from the vacuum system.