Title:
System and methods for automatic generation of component data
Document Type and Number:
United States Patent 7440813

Abstract:
A method of manufacturing electronic circuits including generating CAD data, a bill of materials and an approved component vendor list for an electronic circuit and employing the CAD data, the bill of materials and the approved component vendor list for automatically generating a pick & place machine-specific component loading specification, a pick & place machine-specific component placement sequence and pick & place machine-specific component data for governing the operation of at least one specific pick & place machine in a manufacturing line.

Inventors:
Elhanan, Bini (Nes Ziona, IL)
Yadin, Tovi (Maskeret Batya, IL)
Parker, Michael (Peterborough, GB)
Jurgens, Henry (Arhus N., DK)
Pilnick, Nadav (Agoura Hills, CA, US)
Puranen, Mikko (Turku, FI)
Laakso, Tero (Turku, FI)
      Plaque It!

Application Number:
11/425838
Publication Date:
10/21/2008
Filing Date:
06/22/2006
View Patent Images:
Images are available in PDF form when logged in. To view PDFs, Login  or  Create Account (Free!)
Assignee:
Valor Computerized Systems Ltd. (Yavne, IL)
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
29/739, 700/121
International Classes:
G06F19/00
Field of Search:
29/825, 29/700, 29/739-740, 700/121
US Patent References:
5235164Parts supply device, parts supply method, parts managing system, and parts managing apparatusAugust, 1993Noyama et al.235/375
5781447System for recreating a printed circuit board from disjointly formatted dataJuly, 1998Gerdes
6044169Method and apparatus for mounting electronic componentMarch, 2000Hirotani et al.382/145
6161214Method of generating data on component arrangementDecember, 2000Ishihara et al.716/8
6334115Component electronic catalogDecember, 2001Kuribayashi et al.
6480751Component supplying method, component arrangement data forming method and electronic component mounting apparatus using the methodsNovember, 2002Kuribayashi et al.700/56
6658324Pick and place robot systemDecember, 2003Bancroft et al.700/245
6684376Method and apparatus for selecting components within a circuit design databaseJanuary, 2004Kerzman et al.
6687557Consolidated component catalogFebruary, 2004Ouchi
6778878Monitoring electronic component holdersAugust, 2004Kou
7103434PLM-supportive CAD-CAM tool for interoperative electrical and mechanical design for hardware electrical systemsSeptember, 2006Chernyak et al.
7142939Component mounter, service supplier, and service supplying methodNovember, 2006Nonaka et al.
20040089413System and method for modifying electronic design dataMay, 2004Murphy et al.
20060179645Component mounting apparatus and component mounting methodAugust, 2006Chikuma et al.29/740
Other References:
“Trilogy 5000 Overview”, Software Version 7.0, Sep. 2003.
Bini Elhanan “Programming for Mixed-Vendor Lines”, Circuits Assembly, Dec. 2004.
Primary Examiner:
Kosowski, Alexander J.
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Darby & Darby PC
Parent Case Data:

CROSS-REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATION

This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/596,693, filed on Jun. 21, 2006, which is the U.S. National Phase of International Patent Application PCT/IL2006/000479, filed on Apr. 20, 2006.

Claims:
The invention claimed is:

1. A method of manufacturing an electronic circuit comprising: employing a pick & place machine-specific component placement sequence, pick & place machine-specific component data for governing the operation of at least one specific pick & place machine in a manufacturing line and operating instructions in computer-readable language for said at least one specific pick & place machine to auto-generate generic component geometric parameters for at least one specific component used in manufacturing said electronic circuit on said at least one specific pick & place machine; and employing said generic component geometric parameters to auto-generate a pick & place machine-specific component placement sequence, pick & place machine-specific component data for governing the operation of said at least one specific pick & place machine and operating instructions in computer-readable language for said at least one specific pick & place machine when said at least one specific component is replaced by at least one substitute component.

2. A method of manufacturing an electronic circuit according to claim 1 and wherein said employing a pick & place machine-specific component placement sequence comprises: obtaining at least one Programmer Component Number (PCN) corresponding to said at least one specific component; employing a database including pick & place machine independent geometric component data to obtain at least one Component Vendor/Catalog Number (CV/CAT#) corresponding to said at least one PCN; and employing said database and said at least one CV/CAT# to obtain generic component geometric parameters for said at least one specific component.

3. A method of manufacturing an electronic circuit according to claim 2 and wherein said employing said generic component geometric parameters comprises: obtaining at least one substitute PCN corresponding to said at least one substitute component; employing said database to obtain at least one substitute CV/CAT# corresponding to said at least one substitute PCN; employing said database and said at least one substitute CV/CAT# to obtain generic component geometric parameters for said at least one substitute component; and comparing said generic component geometric parameters for said at least one specific component and said generic component geometric parameters for said at least one substitute component.

4. A method of manufacturing an electronic circuit according to claim 3 and wherein said employing said generic component geometric parameters also comprises, following said comparing: employing said database and machine-specific, component manufacturer-independent rules for generating pick & place machine-specific component shape parameters to auto-generate pick & place machine specific component shape parameters; and employing said pick & place machine specific component shape parameters to auto-generate said pick & place machine-specific component placement sequence, said pick & place machine-specific component data for governing the operation of said at least one specific pick & place machine and said operating instructions in computer-readable language for said at least one specific pick & place machine.

5. A method of manufacturing an electronic circuit according to claim 4 and wherein said employing said database and machine-specific, component manufacturer-independent rules comprises: employing at least part of said generic component geometric parameters for said at least one substitute component to access appropriate ones of said machine-specific, component manufacturer-independent rules for generating said pick & place machine-specific component shape parameters; operating said appropriate ones of said machine-specific, component manufacturer-independent rules for generating said pick & place machine-specific component shape parameters based on at least one of said generic component geometric parameters for said at least one substitute component to yield corresponding values; and assigning said corresponding values to corresponding ones of said pick & place machine-specific component shape parameters.

6. Apparatus for manufacturing an electronic circuit comprising: computerized component parameter obtaining functionality operative to employ a pick & place machine-specific component placement sequence, pick & place machine-specific component data for governing the operation of at least one specific pick & place machine in a manufacturing line and operating instructions in computer-readable language for said at least one specific pick & place machine to auto-generate generic component geometric parameters for at least one specific component used in manufacturing said electronic circuit on said at least one specific pick & place machine; and computerized auto-generation functionality operative to employ said generic component geometric parameters to auto-generate a pick & place machine-specific component placement sequence, pick & place machine-specific component data for governing the operation of said at least one specific pick & place machine and operating instructions in computer-readable language for said at least one specific pick & place machine when said at least one specific component is replaced by at least one substitute component.

7. Apparatus for manufacturing an electronic circuit according to claim 6 and wherein said computerized component parameter obtaining functionality comprises: Programmer Component Number (PCN) obtaining functionality operative to obtain at least one of at least one PCN corresponding to said at least one specific component and at least one substitute PCN corresponding to said at least one substitute component; Component Vendor/Catalog Number (CV/CAT#) obtaining functionality operative to employ a database including pick & place machine independent geometric component data to obtain at least one of at least one CV/CAT# corresponding to said at least one PCN and at least one substitute CV/CAT# corresponding to said at least one substitute PCN; component geometric parameter obtaining functionality operative to employ said database, said at least one CV/CAT# and said at least one substitute CV/CAT# to obtain generic component geometric parameters for at least one of said at least one specific component and at least one substitute component; and geometric parameter comparing functionality operative to compare said generic component geometric parameters for said at least one specific component and said generic component geometric parameters for said at least one substitute component.

Description:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to automated manufacture of electronic circuits.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following patent documents are believed to represent the current state of the art:

U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,687,557 and 5,781,447; and

U.S. patent application Publication No. 2004/0089413

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention seeks to provide improved methods and systems for automated manufacture of electronic circuits.

For the sake of clarity and conciseness, the following glossary of defined terms is employed throughout:

    • ACVL—Approved Component Vendor List
    • AMSSHP—Adaptive Machine Specific Shape Parameters
    • AMSSUP—Adaptive Machine Specific Supply Parameters
    • BOM—Bill of Materials
    • Cat# —Catalog Number
    • CCL—Compiled Component Library
    • CCSL—Compiled Component Supply Library
    • CPCA DATA—Combined Printed Circuit Assembly Data using PCN designations
    • CPL—Component Placement List
    • CSF—Component Supply Form
    • CV—Component Vendor
    • DCN—Designer Component Number
    • DCSF Parameters—Default Component Supply Form Parameters
    • GCG—Generic Component Geometric
    • MCVL—Master Component Vendor Library
    • MSSHP—Machine Specific Shape Parameters
    • MSSHPL—Machine Specific Shape Parameter Library
    • MSSUP—Machine Specific Supply Parameters
    • MSSUPL—Machine Specific Supply Parameter Library
    • MV—Machine Vendor
    • PCA—Printed Circuit Assembly
    • PCN—Programmer Component Number
    • UMCL—User Maintained Component Library
    • UMCSL—User Maintained Component Supply Library

There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a method of manufacturing electronic circuits including generating CAD data, a bill of materials and an approved component vendor list for an electronic circuit and employing the CAD data, the bill of materials and the approved component vendor list for automatically generating a pick & place machine-specific component loading specification, a pick & place machine-specific component placement sequence and pick & place machine-specific component data for governing the operation of at least one specific pick & place machine in a manufacturing line.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the employing the CAD data, the bill of materials and the approved component vendor list for automatically generating pick & place machine specific component data for governing the operation of at least one specific pick & place machine includes automatically generating the pick & place machine-specific component data by employing a first database containing at least one of pick & place machine-independent, geometric component data and pick & place machine-independent, component supply data and a second database containing machine-specific, component manufacturer-independent rules for generating the pick & place machine-specific component data.

In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention the pick & place machine specific component data for governing the operation of at least one specific pick & place machine comprises at least one of pick & place machine-specific component shape parameters and pick & place machine-specific component supply parameters. Preferably, the automatically generating pick & place machine-specific component data includes automatically generating a third database containing at least a mapping between component identifiers and pick & place machine-specific component shape parameters and a mapping between the component identifiers and pick & place machine-specific component supply parameters.

In accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention the mapping between component identifiers and pick & place machine-specific component shape parameters includes a mapping of PCNs to component shape identifiers and a mapping of component shape identifiers to pick & place machine-specific component shape parameters. Preferably, component shape identifiers are pick & place machine-specific component shape identifiers. Additionally or alternatively, the mapping between the component identifiers and pick & place machine-specific component supply parameters includes a mapping of PCNs to component supply identifiers and a mapping of component supply identifiers to pick & place machine-specific component supply parameters. Preferably, the component supply identifiers are pick & place machine-specific component supply identifiers.

In accordance with still another preferred embodiment of the present invention the pick & place machine-specific component shape parameters include at least one of component geometry parameters, component handling parameters, component imaging parameters, component recognition tolerances and pick & place machine-specific procedures. Preferably, the pick & place machine-specific component shape parameters include at least one of component geometry parameters in pick & place machine-specific syntax, pick & place machine-specific component handling parameters, pick & place machine-specific component imaging parameters, pick & place machine-specific component recognition tolerances and pick & place machine-specific procedures.

In accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the present invention the pick & place machine-specific component supply parameters include at least one of a component carrier type and pick & place machine-specific, component carrier-specific parameters. Preferably, at least part of the pick & place machine-specific component data includes adaptive pick & place machine-specific component data. More preferably, the adaptive pick & place machine specific component data includes adaptive pick & place machine specific component shape data. Additionally or alternatively the adaptive pick & place machine specific component data includes adaptive pick & place machine specific component supply data.

In accordance with another further preferred embodiment of the present invention the first database includes at least one of a mapping of CV/Cat#s to component vendor-specific component geometric parameters (CCL), a mapping of CV/Cat#s to component supply form parameters (CCSL), a mapping of PCNs to component supply form parameters (UMCSL), a mapping of PCNs to CV/Cat#s (MCVL), a mapping of DCN to PCN, a user maintained mapping of CV/Cat# to component vendor-specific component geometric parameters (UMCL) and a mapping of PCN to generic component geometric parameters.

In accordance with still a further preferred embodiment of the present invention the second database includes at least one of a mapping of component manufacturer-independent component characteristics to rules for generating pick & place machine-specific component shape parameters and a mapping of component manufacturer-independent component supply form characteristics to rules for generating pick & place machine-specific component supply parameters. Preferably, the rules for generating pick & place machine-specific component shape parameters include rules for generating at least one of component geometric parameters in pick & place machine specific syntax, pick & place machine specific component handling parameters, pick & place machine specific component imaging parameters, pick & place machine specific component recognition tolerances and pick & place machine specific procedures. Additionally or alternatively, the rules for generating pick & place machine-specific component supply parameters include rules for generating at least one of a component carrier type in pick & place machine-specific syntax and component carrier type-specific parameters in pick & place machine-specific syntax.

In accordance with an additional preferred embodiment of the present invention the second database includes at least one of a mapping of component manufacturer-independent component characteristics to rules for generating adaptive pick & place machine-specific component shape parameters and a mapping of component manufacturer-independent component supply form characteristics to rules for generating adaptive pick & place machine-specific component supply parameters. Preferably, the rules for generating adaptive pick & place machine-specific component shape parameters include rules for generating at least one of component geometric parameters in pick & place machine specific syntax, adaptive pick & place machine specific component handling parameters, adaptive pick & place machine specific component imaging parameters, adaptive pick & place machine specific component recognition tolerances and pick & place machine specific procedures. Additionally or alternatively, the rules for generating adaptive pick & place machine-specific component supply parameters include rules for generating at least one of adaptive component carrier type in pick & place machine-specific syntax and adaptive component carrier type-specific parameters in pick & place machine-specific syntax. Preferably the second database is operator modifiable.

In accordance with yet an additional preferred embodiment of the present invention the employing the CAD data, the bill of materials and the approved component vendor list for automatically generating pick & place machine specific component data for governing the operation of at least one specific pick & place machine includes automatically generating the pick & place machine-specific component data by employing a fourth database containing pick & place line and machine configurations.

In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention the fourth database includes at least one of pick & place machine configurations, ordered listings of pick & place machines in at least one machine line, pick & place machine configurations of the pick & place machines in the at least one machine line. Preferably, the pick & place machine configurations include at least one of camera types and characteristics, illumination types and characteristics, component feeder carriage types and characteristics, component feeder types and characteristics, nozzle types and characteristics and kinetic characteristics of moving elements. Additionally or alternatively, the pick & place machine configurations of the pick & place machines in the at least one machine line include at least one of mounted camera types, mounted illumination types, mounted component feeder carriages, mounted component feeders and mounted nozzles.

In accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention the employing the CAD data, the bill of materials and the approved component vendor list for automatically generating pick & place machine-specific component loading specification, pick & place machine-specific component placement sequence and pick & place machine-specific component data for governing the operation of at least one specific pick & place machine in a manufacturing line includes employing the CAD data, the bill of materials, the approved component vendor list and the first database to search for component data for new components and employing the first database and the second database to auto-generate the pick & place machine specific component data.

In accordance with still another preferred embodiment of the present invention the employing the CAD data, the bill of materials and the approved component vendor list for automatically generating pick & place machine-specific component loading specification, pick & place machine-specific component placement sequence and pick & place machine-specific component data for governing the operation of at least one specific pick & place machine in a manufacturing line also includes prior to the employing the CAD data the bill of materials, the approved component vendor list and the first database to search for component data for new components, employing the CAD data, the bill of materials and the approved component vendor list to form combined printed circuit assembly data, following the employing the first database and the second database, selecting a pick & place machine line, thereafter, employing the combined printed circuit assembly data together with the pick & place machine specific component data to balance the pick & place machine line and thereafter, employing a computer to provide the pick & place machine-specific component loading specification, the pick & place machine-specific component placement sequence and the pick & place machine-specific component data for governing the operation of at least one specific pick & place machine in a manufacturing line to at least one pick & place machine in the pick & place machine line. Preferably, the combined printed circuit assembly data employs PCN designations.

In accordance with an additional preferred embodiment of the present invention the employing the CAD data, the bill of materials, the approved component vendor list and the first database to search for component data for new components includes employing the combined printed circuit assembly data and the first database to search for the component data for new components. Preferably, the employing the combined printed circuit assembly data and the first database to search for component data for new components includes searching the first database for pick & place machine independent component supply data for the new components and searching the first database for pick & place machine independent geometric component data for the new components.

In accordance with another additional preferred embodiment of the present invention the searching the first database for pick & place machine independent component supply data for the new components includes selecting at least one PCN corresponding to ones of the new components for which CSF parameters are not available, obtaining a CV/CAT# corresponding to the at least one PCN corresponding to ones of the new components for which CSF parameters are not available and employing the CV/CAT# to search at least part of the first database for corresponding CSF parameters. Preferably, the method also includes employing the CV/CAT# to search at least part of the first database for corresponding default CSF parameters. Additionally or alternatively, the method also includes employing the at least one PCN to search at least part of the first database for at least one corresponding set of default CSF parameters.

In accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the present invention the method also includes presenting the at least one corresponding set of default CSF parameters and the at least one PCN to an operator for selection of an appropriate set of CSF parameters. Preferably, the method also includes, following the presenting, automatically adding the appropriate set of CSF parameters as CSF parameters to the first database for the at least one PCN and automatically adding the appropriate set of CSF parameters as default CSF parameters to the first database for CV/CAT#s corresponding to the at least one PCN. Alternatively, the method also includes providing manually generated CSF parameters for the at least one PCN, automatically adding the manually generated CSF parameters to the first database for the at least one PCN and automatically adding the manually generated CSF parameters as default CSF parameters to the first database for CV/CAT#s corresponding to the at least one PCN.

In accordance with yet a further preferred embodiment of the present invention the selecting at least one PCN corresponding to ones of the new components for which CSF parameters are not available includes selecting at least one PCN in the combined printed circuit assembly data which does not have CSF parameters. Alternatively, the selecting at least one PCN corresponding to ones of the new components for which CSF parameters are not available includes selecting at least one PCN in the combined printed circuit assembly data for which there are no pick & place machine specific component supply parameters.

In accordance with still a further preferred embodiment of the present invention the searching the first database for pick & place machine independent component supply data for the new components includes selecting at least one PCN corresponding to ones of the new components for which GCG parameters are not available, obtaining a CV/CAT# corresponding to the at least one PCN corresponding to ones of the new components for which GCG parameters are not available and employing the CV/CAT# to search at least part of the first database for corresponding GCG parameters. Preferably, the employing the CV/CAT# also includes automatically adding the corresponding GCG parameters to the first database for the CV/CAT# and automatically adding the corresponding GCG parameters to the first database for other CV/CAT#s corresponding to the at least one PCN corresponding to ones of the new components for which GCG parameters are not available.

In accordance with another further preferred embodiment of the present invention the method also includes, following the employing the CV/CAT#, conducting a proximity search including searching the first database for at least one additional PCN having at least one corresponding CV/CAT#, which is different from the CV/CAT#, in common with the at least one PCN corresponding to ones of the new components for which GCG parameters are not available, searching the first database for at least one different CV/CAT# corresponding to the at least one additional PCN, which does not correspond to the at least one PCN corresponding to ones of the new components for which GCG parameters are not available and employing the at least one different CV/CAT# to search at least part of the first database for GCG parameters corresponding to the at least one different CV/CAT#.

In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention the method also includes presenting the GCG parameters corresponding to the at least one different CV/CAT# and the at least one PCN corresponding to ones of the new components for which GCG parameters are not available to an operator for approval. Preferably, the method also includes automatically adding the GCG parameters corresponding to the at least one different CV/CAT# to the first database as GCG parameters corresponding to CV/CAT#s corresponding to at least one of the at least one PCN corresponding to ones of the new components for which GCG parameters are not available and the at least one additional PCN and automatically indicating, for all CV/CAT#s corresponding to the at least one PCN corresponding to ones of the new components for which GCG parameters are not available, the GCG parameters as being obtained by the proximity search. Alternatively, the method also includes providing manually generated GCG parameters for the CV/CAT#, automatically adding the manually generated GCG parameters to the first database for the CV/CAT# and automatically adding the manually generated GCG parameters to the first database for CV/CAT#s corresponding to the at least one PCN corresponding to ones of the new components for which GCG parameters are not available.

In accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention the selecting at least one PCN corresponding to ones of the new components for which GCG parameters are not available includes selecting at least one PCN in the combined printed circuit assembly data which does not have GCG parameters. Alternatively, the selecting at least one PCN corresponding to ones of the new components for which GCG parameters are not available includes selecting at least one PCN in the combined printed circuit assembly data for which there are no pick & place machine specific component shape parameters.

In accordance with still another preferred embodiment of the present invention the employing the first database and the second database to auto-generate the pick & place machine specific component data includes employing the pick & place machine independent component supply data and the machine-specific, component manufacturer-independent rules for generating the pick & place machine-specific component data to auto-generate pick & place machine specific component supply parameters and employing the pick & place machine independent geometric component data and the machine-specific, component manufacturer-independent rules for generating the pick & place machine-specific component data to auto-generate pick & place machine specific component shape parameters.

In accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the present invention the employing the pick & place machine independent component supply data includes for a specific pick & place machine in the pick & place machine line, selecting at least one PCN in the combined printed circuit assembly data for which at least one of corresponding pick & place machine specific component supply parameters and a corresponding pick & place machine specific component supply identifier is not available, employing at least one generic component supply identifier to obtain CSF parameters corresponding to the at least one PCN in the combined printed circuit assembly data for which at least one of corresponding pick & place machine specific component supply parameters and a corresponding pick & place machine specific component supply identifier is not available, employing at least part of the CSF parameters to access appropriate ones of the machine-specific, component manufacturer-independent rules for generating the pick & place machine-specific component data, operating the appropriate ones of the machine-specific, component manufacturer-independent rules for generating the pick & place machine-specific component data based on at least one of the CSF parameters to yield corresponding values and assigning the corresponding values to corresponding ones of the pick & place machine-specific component supply parameters. Preferably, the method also includes, prior to the employing at least part of the CSF parameters to access appropriate ones of the machine-specific, component manufacturer-independent rules, employing at least part of the CSF parameters to auto-generate the corresponding pick & place machine specific component supply identifier.

In accordance with yet a further preferred embodiment of the present invention the employing the pick & place machine independent geometric component data includes for a specific pick & place machine in the pick & place machine line, selecting at least one PCN in the combined printed circuit assembly data for which at least one of corresponding pick & place machine specific component shape parameters and a corresponding pick & place machine specific component shape identifier is not available, employing at least one generic component shape identifier to obtain GCG parameters corresponding to the at least one PCN in the combined printed circuit assembly data for which at least one of corresponding pick & place machine specific component shape parameters and a corresponding pick & place machine specific component shape identifier is not available, employing at least part of the GCG parameters to access appropriate ones of the machine-specific, component manufacturer-independent rules for generating the pick & place machine-specific component data, operating the appropriate ones of the machine-specific, component manufacturer-independent rules for generating the pick & place machine-specific component data based on at least one of the GCG parameters to yield corresponding values and assigning the corresponding values to corresponding ones of the pick & place machine-specific component shape parameters. Preferably, the method also includes, prior to the employing at least part of the GCG parameters to access appropriate ones of the machine-specific, component manufacturer-independent rules, employing at least part of the GCG parameters to auto-generate the corresponding pick & place machine specific component shape identifier.

In accordance with still a further preferred embodiment of the present invention the method also includes, prior to the employing the CAD data, the bill of materials, the approved component vendor list and the first database, automatically populating a CCL portion of the first database. Preferably, the automatically populating includes employing a component library which maps CV/CAT#s to component packaging shape parameters. Additionally or alternatively, the employing a component library includes employing the component library which includes a first stage mapping which maps CV/CAT#s to component packaging shape identifiers and a second stage mapping which maps the component packaging shape identifiers to component packaging shape parameters.

In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention the automatically populating includes obtaining at least one CV/CAT# for which no mapping exists in the CCL portion, employing the first stage mapping to obtain a component packaging shape identifier corresponding to the at least one CV/CAT#, employing the second stage mapping to obtain component packaging shape parameters corresponding to the component packaging shape identifier corresponding to the at least one CV/CAT#, employing the component packaging shape identifier corresponding to the at least one CV/CAT#;and the component packaging shape parameters corresponding to the component packaging shape identifier to provide an auto-generated generic component shape identifier and auto-generated GCG parameters and adding the auto-generated generic component shape identifier and the auto-generated GCG parameters to the CCL portion for the at least one CV/CAT#. Preferably, the automatically populating also includes, prior to the adding, employing the auto-generated generic component shape identifier to search the CCL portion for corresponding, previously generated GCG parameters, comparing the previously generated GCG parameters and the auto-generated GCG parameters and if discrepancies are found, modifying the auto-generated generic component shape identifier to provide a modified generic component shape identifier and adding the modified generic component shape identifier and the auto-generated GCG parameters to the CCL portion for the at least one CV/CAT#.

In accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention the method also includes, following the employing the combined printed circuit assembly data together with the pick & place machine specific component data to balance the pick & place machine line, assigning suitable variables to adaptive ones of the pick & place machine specific component data to provide pick & place machine specific component data which corresponds to a specific pick & place machine configuration for at least one pick & place machine in the pick & place machine line. Preferably, the employing the CAD data, the bill of materials and the approved component vendor list for automatically generating does not require operator entry of pick & place machine-specific component data.

There is also provided in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention a method of manufacturing electronic circuits including generating CAD data, a bill of materials and an approved component vendor list for an electronic circuit and employing at least the CAD data, the bill of materials and the approved component vendor list for automatically locating generic component geometric parameters corresponding to components in the CAD data, including employing at least one database for automatically locating at least one equivalent of ones of the components for which generic component geometric parameters are not available and providing generic component geometric parameters corresponding to the at least one equivalent as generic component geometric parameters corresponding to the ones of the components for which generic component geometric parameters are not available.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the at least one database includes a database containing pick & place machine-independent, geometric component data. Preferably, the database containing pick & place machine-independent, geometric component data includes at least one of a mapping of CV/Cat#s to component vendor-specific component geometric parameters (CCL), a mapping of CV/Cat#s to component supply form parameters (CCSL), a mapping of PCNs to component supply form parameters (UMCSL), a mapping of PCNs to CV/Cat#s (MCVL), a mapping of DCN to PCN, a user maintained mapping of CV/Cat# to component vendor-specific component geometric parameters (UMCL) and a mapping of PCN to generic component geometric parameters.

In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention the employing at least one database for automatically locating includes selecting at least one PCN corresponding to each of the ones of the components, employing the at least one database to obtain at least one CV/CAT# corresponding to the at least one PCN, searching the at least one database for at least one additional PCN having at least one additional corresponding CV/CAT#, which is different from the at least one CV/CAT#, in common with the at least one PCN, searching the at least one database for at least one different CV/CAT# corresponding to the at least one additional PCN, which does not correspond to the at least one PCN and employing the at least one different CV/CAT# to search at least part of the at least one database for generic component geometric parameters corresponding to the at least one different CV/CAT#. Preferably, the providing generic component geometric includes presenting the generic component geometric parameters corresponding to the at least one different CV/CAT# together with the at least one PCN to an operator for approval.

In accordance with still another preferred embodiment of the present invention the providing generic component geometric parameters also includes automatically adding the generic component geometric parameters corresponding to the at least one different CV/CAT# to the at least one database as generic component geometric parameters corresponding to CV/CAT#s corresponding to at least one of the at least one PCN and the at least one additional PCN and automatically indicating, for all CV/CAT#s corresponding to the at least one PCN, the generic component geometric parameters corresponding to the at least one different CV/CAT# as being obtained by a proximity search. Additionally or alternatively, the providing generic component geometric parameters also includes providing manually generated generic component geometric parameters for the at least one CV/CAT#, automatically adding the manually generated generic component geometric parameters to the at least one database for the at least one CV/CAT# and automatically adding the manually generated generic component geometric parameters to the at least one database for CV/CAT#s corresponding to the at least one PCN.

There is further provided in accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the present invention a method of manufacturing an electronic circuit including employing a pick & place machine-specific component placement sequence, pick & place machine-specific component data for governing the operation of at least one specific pick & place machine in a manufacturing line and operating instructions in computer-readable language for the at least one specific pick & place machine to auto-generate generic component parameters for components used in manufacturing the electronic circuit on the at least one specific pick & place machine and employing the generic component parameters to auto-generate a pick & place machine-specific component placement sequence and pick & place machine-specific component data for governing the operation of at least one other specific pick & place machine in a manufacturing line and operating instructions in computer-readable language for the at least one other specific pick & place machine.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the at least one other specific pick & place machine is a different type of pick & place machine from the at least one specific pick & place machine. Preferably, the employing a pick & place machine-specific component placement sequence, includes employing at least a first database containing at least one of pick & place machine independent geometric component data and pick & place machine-independent, component supply data and a second database containing component manufacturer-independent, pick & place machine-specific rules. Additionally, the at least second database includes at least one of the following mappings a mapping of pick & place machine-specific component shape parameters to rules for generating component manufacturer-independent generic component geometric parameters, a mapping of pick & place machine-specific component supply parameters to rules for generating component manufacturer-independent generic component supply form parameters and a mapping of PCN parameters in pick & place machine specific syntax to generic PCN parameters.

In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention the first database includes at least one of a mapping of CV/Cat#s to component vendor-specific component geometric parameters (CCL), a mapping of CV/Cat#s to component supply form parameters (CCSL), a mapping of PCNs to component supply form parameters (UMCSL), a mapping of PCNs to CV/Cat#s (MCVL), a mapping of DCN to PCN, a user maintained mapping of CV/Cat# to component vendor-specific component geometric parameters (UMCL) and a mapping of PCN to generic component geometric parameters.

In accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention the employing a pick & place machine-specific component placement sequence, pick & place machine-specific component data for governing the operation of at least one specific pick & place machine in a manufacturing line and operating instructions in computer-readable language for the at least one specific pick & place machine to auto-generate generic component parameters for components used in manufacturing the electronic circuit on the at least one specific pick & place machine also includes obtaining at least one PCN for ones of the components used in manufacturing the electronic circuit, employing the at least one PCN and a type of the at least one specific pick & place machine to access relevant ones of the component manufacturer-independent, pick & place machine-specific rules, operating the ones of the component manufacturer-independent, pick & place machine-specific rules using at least one pick & place machine specific component parameter to obtain corresponding values and assigning the values to corresponding generic component parameters. Preferably, the obtaining includes obtaining the at least one PCN from the operating instructions in computer-readable language.

In accordance with still another preferred embodiment of the present invention the operating includes operating ones of the component manufacturer-independent, pick & place machine-specific rules which are suitable for auto-generation of generic component supply form parameters using at least one pick & place machine specific component supply parameter to obtain a corresponding supply form value and the assigning includes assigning the corresponding supply form value to a corresponding generic component supply form parameter. Additionally or alternatively, the operating includes operating ones of the component manufacturer-independent, pick & place machine-specific rules which are suitable for auto-generation of generic component geometric parameters using at least one pick & place machine specific component shape parameter to obtain a corresponding geometric value and the assigning includes assigning the corresponding geometric value to a corresponding generic component geometric parameter. Preferably, the method also includes, following the assigning, adding the values and the corresponding generic component parameters to the first database for the at least one PCN and subsequently, indicating the values and the corresponding generic component parameters that were obtained by indirect association.

In accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the present invention the method also includes, prior to the employing a pick & place machine-specific component placement sequence, obtaining at least one PCN for each of the components, searching the first database for pick & place machine independent component supply data corresponding to the at least one PCN for each of the components and searching the first database for pick & place machine independent geometric component data corresponding to the at least one PCN for each of the components.

In accordance with still a further preferred embodiment of the present invention the employing the generic component parameters includes employing generic component supply form parameters and the second database for auto-generating pick & place machine specific component supply parameters and employing the generic component geometric parameters and the second database for auto-generating pick & place machine specific component shape parameters. Preferably, the employing generic component supply form parameters includes selecting at least one PCN corresponding to each of the components, employing at least part of the generic component supply form parameters to access appropriate ones of the machine-specific, component manufacturer-independent rules for generating the pick & place machine-specific component data, operating the appropriate ones of the machine-specific, component manufacturer-independent rules based on the third database and at least one of the generic component parameters to yield corresponding values and assigning the corresponding values to corresponding ones of the pick & place machine-specific component supply parameters.

In accordance with yet a further preferred embodiment of the present invention the method also includes, prior to the employing at least part of the generic component supply form parameters, employing at least part of the generic component supply form parameters to auto-generate the corresponding pick & place machine specific component supply identifier.

In accordance with an additional preferred embodiment of the present invention the employing the generic component geometric parameters includes selecting at least one PCN corresponding to each of the components, employing at least part of the generic component geometric parameters to access appropriate ones of the machine-specific, component manufacturer-independent rules for generating the pick & place machine-specific component data, operating the appropriate ones of the machine-specific, component manufacturer-independent rules for generating the pick & place machine-specific component data based on at least one of the generic component geometric parameters to yield corresponding values and assigning the corresponding values to corresponding ones of the pick & place machine-specific component shape parameters. Preferably, the method also includes, prior to the employing at least part of the generic component geometric parameters, employing at least part of the generic component geometric parameters to auto-generate a corresponding pick & place machine specific component shape identifier.

There is additionally provided in accordance with an additional preferred embodiment of the present invention a method of manufacturing an electronic circuit including employing a pick & place machine-specific component placement sequence, pick & place machine-specific component data for governing the operation of at least one specific pick & place machine in a manufacturing line and operating instructions in computer-readable language for the at least one specific pick & place machine to obtain generic component geometric parameters for at least one specific component used in manufacturing the electronic circuit on the at least one specific pick & place machine and employing the generic component geometric parameters to auto-generate a pick & place machine-specific component placement sequence, pick & place machine-specific component data for governing the operation of the at least one specific pick & place machine and operating instructions in computer-readable language for the at least one specific pick & place machine when the at least one specific component is replaced by at least one substitute component.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the employing a pick & place machine-specific component placement sequence includes obtaining at least one PCN corresponding to the at least one specific component, employing a database including pick & place machine independent geometric component data to obtain at least one CV/CAT# corresponding to the at least one PCN and employing the database and the at least one CV/CAT# to obtain generic component geometric parameters for the at least one specific component.

In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention the employing the generic component geometric parameters includes obtaining at least one substitute PCN corresponding to the at least one substitute component, employing the database to obtain at least one substitute CV/CAT# corresponding to the at least one substitute PCN, employing the database and the at least one substitute CV/CAT# to obtain generic component geometric parameters for the at least one substitute component and comparing the generic component geometric parameters for the at least one specific component and the generic component geometric parameters for the at least one substitute component.

In accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention the employing the generic component geometric parameters also includes, following the comparing, employing the database and machine-specific, component manufacturer-independent rules for generating pick & place machine-specific component shape parameters to auto-generate pick & place machine specific component shape parameters and employing the pick & place machine specific component shape parameters to auto-generate the pick & place machine-specific component placement sequence, the pick & place machine-specific component data for governing the operation of the at least one specific pick & place machine and the operating instructions in computer-readable language for the at least one specific pick & place machine.

In accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the present invention the employing the database and machine-specific, component manufacturer-independent rules includes employing at least part of the generic component geometric parameters for the at least one substitute component to access appropriate ones of the machine-specific, component manufacturer-independent rules for generating the pick & place machine-specific component shape parameters, operating the appropriate ones of the machine-specific, component manufacturer-independent rules for generating the pick & place machine-specific component shape parameters based on at least one of the generic component geometric parameters for the at least one substitute component to yield corresponding values and assigning the corresponding values to corresponding ones of the pick & place machine-specific component shape parameters.

There is also provided in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention apparatus for manufacturing electronic circuits including a computerized electronic circuit data generator operative for generating CAD data, a bill of materials and an approved component vendor list for an electronic circuit and a computerized generator operative for employing the CAD data, the bill of materials and the approved component vendor list for automatically generating a pick & place machine-specific component loading specification, a pick & place machine-specific component placement sequence and pick & place machine-specific component data for governing the operation of at least one specific pick & place machine in a manufacturing line.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the computerized generator includes a first database containing at least one of pick & place machine-independent, geometric component data and pick & place machine-independent, component supply data and a second database containing machine-specific, component manufacturer-independent rules for generating the pick & place machine-specific component data. Preferably, the pick & place machine specific component data for governing the operation of at least one specific pick & place machine includes at least one of pick & place machine-specific component shape parameters and pick & place machine-specific component supply parameters.

In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention the computerized generator is also operative for automatically generating a third database containing at least a mapping between component identifiers and pick & place machine-specific component shape parameters and a mapping between the component identifiers and pick & place machine-specific component supply parameters. Preferably, the mapping between component identifiers and pick & place machine-specific component shape parameters includes a mapping of PCNs to component shape identifiers and a mapping of component shape identifiers to pick & place machine-specific component shape parameters. Additionally or alternatively, the component shape identifiers are pick & place machine-specific component shape identifiers.

In accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention the mapping between the component identifiers and pick & place machine-specific component supply parameters includes a mapping of PCNs to component supply identifiers and a mapping of component supply identifiers to pick & place machine-specific component supply parameters. Preferably, the component supply identifiers are pick & place machine-specific component supply identifiers.

In accordance with still another preferred embodiment of the present invention the pick & place machine-specific component shape parameters include at least one of component geometry parameters, component handling parameters, component imaging parameters, component recognition tolerances and pick & place machine-specific procedures. Preferably, the pick & place machine-specific component shape parameters include at least one of component geometry parameters in pick & place machine-specific syntax, pick & place machine-specific component handling parameters, pick & place machine-specific component imaging parameters, pick & place machine-specific component recognition tolerances and pick & place machine-specific procedures.

In accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the present invention the pick & place machine-specific component supply parameters include at least one of a component carrier type and pick & place machine-specific, component carrier-specific parameters. Preferably, at least part of the pick & place machine-specific component data includes adaptive pick & place machine-specific component data. Additionally or alternatively, the adaptive pick & place machine specific component data includes adaptive pick & place machine specific component shape data. As a further alternative, the adaptive pick & place machine specific component data includes adaptive pick & place machine specific component supply data.

In accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention the first database includes at least one of a mapping of CV/Cat#s to component vendor-specific component geometric parameters (CCL), a mapping of CV/Cat#s to component supply form parameters (CCSL), a mapping of PCNs to component supply form parameters (UMCSL), a mapping of PCNs to CV/Cat#s (MCVL), a mapping of DCN to PCN, a user maintained mapping of CV/Cat# to component vendor-specific component geometric parameters (UMCL) and a mapping of PCN to generic component geometric parameters.

In accordance with still another preferred embodiment of the present invention the second database includes at least one of a mapping of component manufacturer-independent component characteristics to rules for generating pick & place machine-specific component shape parameters and a mapping of component manufacturer-independent component supply form characteristics to rules for generating pick & place machine-specific component supply parameters. Preferably, the rules for generating pick & place machine-specific component shape parameters include rules for generating at least one of component geometric parameters in pick & place machine specific syntax, pick & place machine specific component handling parameters, pick & place machine specific component imaging parameters, pick & place machine specific component recognition tolerances and pick & place machine specific procedures. Additionally or alternatively, the rules for generating pick & place machine-specific component supply parameters include rules for generating at least one of a component carrier type in pick & place machine-specific syntax and component carrier type-specific parameters in pick & place machine-specific syntax.

In accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the present invention the second database includes at least one of a mapping of component manufacturer-independent component characteristics to rules for generating adaptive pick & place machine-specific component shape parameters and a mapping of component manufacturer-independent component supply form characteristics to rules for generating adaptive pick & place machine-specific component supply parameters. Preferably, the rules for generating adaptive pick & place machine-specific component shape parameters include rules for generating at least one of component geometric parameters in pick & place machine specific syntax, adaptive pick & place machine specific component handling parameters, adaptive pick & place machine specific component imaging parameters, adaptive pick & place machine specific component recognition tolerances and pick & place machine specific procedures.

In accordance with yet a further preferred embodiment of the present invention the rules for generating adaptive pick & place machine-specific component supply parameters include rules for generating at least one of adaptive component carrier type in pick & place machine-specific syntax and adaptive component carrier type-specific parameters in pick & place machine-specific syntax. Preferably, the second database is operator modifiable.

In accordance with still another preferred embodiment of the present invention the computerized generator includes a fourth database containing pick & place line and machine configurations. Preferably, the fourth database includes at least one of pick & place machine configurations, ordered listings of pick & place machines in at least one machine line and pick & place machine configurations of the pick & place machines in the at least one machine line.

In accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the present invention the pick & place machine configurations include at least one of camera types and characteristics, illumination types and characteristics, component feeder carriage types and characteristics, component feeder types and characteristics, nozzle types and characteristics and kinetic characteristics of moving elements. Preferably, the pick & place machine configurations of the pick & place machines in the plurality of machine lines include at least one of mounted camera types, mounted illumination types, mounted component feeder carriages, mounted component feeders and mounted nozzles.

In accordance with yet a further preferred embodiment of the present invention the computerized generator includes computerized new component data searching functionality operative to employ the CAD data, the bill of materials, the approved component vendor list and the first database to search for component data for new components and computerized auto-generation functionality operative to employ the first database and the second database to auto-generate the pick & place machine specific component data. Preferably, the computerized generator also includes a computerized combined printed circuit assembly data generator operative to employ the CAD data, the bill of materials and the approved component vendor list to form combined printed circuit assembly data, a computerized line selector operative to select a pick & place machine line, computerized line balancing functionality operative to employ the combined printed circuit assembly data together with the pick & place machine specific component data to balance the pick & place machine line.

In accordance with still another preferred embodiment of the present invention the combined printed circuit assembly data employs PCN designations. Preferably, the computerized new component data searching functionality includes computerized component supply data searching functionality operative to search the first database for pick & place machine independent component supply data for the new components and computerized component shape data searching functionality operative to search the first database for pick & place machine independent geometric component data for the new components. Preferably, the computerized component supply data searching functionality includes a PCN selector operative to select at least one PCN corresponding to ones of the new components for which CSF parameters are not available, CSF CV/CAT# obtaining functionality operative to obtain a CV/CAT# corresponding to the at least one PCN corresponding to ones of the new components for which CSF parameters are not available and CSF searching functionality operative to employ the CV/CAT# to search at least part of the first database for corresponding CSF parameters.

In accordance with an additional preferred embodiment of the present invention the computerized component shape data searching functionality includes a PCN selector operative to select at least one PCN corresponding to ones of the new components for which GCG parameters are not available, GCG CV/CAT# obtaining functionality operative to obtain a CV/CAT# corresponding to the at least one PCN corresponding to ones of the new components for which GCG parameters are not available and GCG searching functionality operative to employ the CV/CAT# to search at least part of the first database for corresponding GCG parameters.

In accordance with another additional preferred embodiment of the present invention the computerized component shape data searching functionality also includes computerized proximity searching functionality, including first computerized searching functionality operative to search the first database for at least one additional PCN having at least one corresponding CV/CAT#, which is different from the CV/CAT#, in common with the at least one PCN corresponding to ones of the new components for which GCG parameters are not available, second computerized searching functionality operative to search the first database for at least one different CV/CAT# corresponding to the at least one additional PCN, which does not correspond to the at least one PCN corresponding to ones of the new components for which GCG parameters are not available and proximate GCG parameter searching functionality operative to employ the at least one different CV/CAT# to search at least part of the first database for GCG parameters corresponding to the at least one different CV/CAT#.

In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention the computerized auto-generation functionality includes component supply parameter auto-generation functionality operative to employ the first database and the second database to auto-generate pick & place machine specific component supply parameters and component shape parameter auto-generation functionality operative to employ the first database and the second database to auto-generate pick & place machine specific component shape parameters. Preferably, the component supply parameter auto-generation functionality includes a PCN selector operative, for a specific pick & place machine in the pick & place machine line, to select at least one PCN in the combined printed circuit assembly data for which at least one of corresponding pick & place machine specific component supply parameters and a corresponding pick & place machine specific component supply identifier is not available, CSF parameter obtaining functionality operative to employ at least one generic component supply identifier to obtain CSF parameters corresponding to the at least one PCN in the combined printed circuit assembly data for which at least one of corresponding pick & place machine specific component supply parameters and a corresponding pick & place machine specific component supply identifier is not available, rules operating functionality operative to employ at least part of the CSF parameters to access appropriate ones of the machine-specific, component manufacturer-independent rules for generating the pick & place machine-specific component data and to operate the appropriate ones of the machine-specific, component manufacturer-independent rules for generating the pick & place machine-specific component data based on at least one of the CSF parameters to yield corresponding values and value assigning functionality operative to assign the corresponding values to corresponding ones of the pick & place machine-specific component supply parameters.

In accordance with still another preferred embodiment of the present invention the component supply parameter auto-generation functionality also includes component supply identifier auto-generation functionality operative to employ at least part of the CSF parameters to auto-generate the corresponding pick & place machine specific component supply identifier. Preferably, the component shape parameter auto-generation functionality includes a PCN selector operative, for a specific pick & place machine in the pick & place machine line, to select at least one PCN in the combined printed circuit assembly data for which at least one of corresponding pick & place machine specific component shape parameters and a corresponding pick & place machine specific component shape identifier is not available, GCG parameter obtaining functionality operative to employ at least one generic component shape identifier to obtain GCG parameters corresponding to the at least one PCN in the combined printed circuit assembly data for which at least one of corresponding pick & place machine specific component shape parameters and a corresponding pick & place machine specific component shape identifier is not available, rules operating functionality operative to employ at least part of the GCG parameters to access appropriate ones of the machine-specific, component manufacturer-independent rules for generating the pick & place machine-specific component data and to operate the appropriate ones of the machine-specific, component manufacturer-independent rules for generating the pick & place machine-specific component data based on at least one of the GCG parameters to yield corresponding values and value assigning functionality operative to assign the corresponding values to corresponding ones of the pick & place machine-specific component shape parameters.

In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention the component shape parameter auto-generation functionality also includes component shape identifier auto-generation functionality operative to employ at least part of the GCG parameters to auto-generate the corresponding pick & place machine specific component shape identifier. Preferably, the apparatus also includes a computerized database populating functionality operative to automatically populate a CCL portion of the first database. Additionally or alternatively, the computerized database populating functionality also includes component library which maps CV/CAT#s to component packaging shape parameters.

In accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention the component library includes a first stage mapping which maps CV/CAT#s to component packaging shape identifiers and a second stage mapping which maps the component packaging shape identifiers to component packaging shape parameters. Preferably, the computerized database populating functionality includes CV/CAT# obtaining functionality operative to obtain at least one CV/CAT# for which no mapping exists in the CCL portion, component packaging shape identifier obtaining functionality operative to employ the first stage mapping to obtain a component packaging shape identifier corresponding to the at least one CV/CAT# and component packaging shape parameter obtaining functionality operative to employ the second stage mapping to obtain component packaging shape parameters corresponding to the component packaging shape identifier corresponding to the at least one CV/CAT#.

In accordance with still another preferred embodiment of the present invention the apparatus also includes value assigning functionality operative to assign suitable variables to adaptive ones of the pick & place machine specific component data to provide pick & place machine specific component data which corresponds to a specific pick & place machine configuration for at least one pick & place machine in the pick & place machine line.

There is additionally provided in accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the present invention apparatus for manufacturing electronic circuits including a computerized electronic circuit data generator operative to generate CAD data, a bill of materials and an approved component vendor list for an electronic circuit and computerized component parameter locating functionality operative to employ at least the CAD data, the bill of materials and the approved component vendor list for automatically locating generic component geometric parameters corresponding to components in the CAD data, the computerized component parameter locating functionality including at least one database, computerized equivalents locating functionality operative to automatically locate in the at least one database at least one equivalent of ones of the components for which generic component geometric parameters are not available and parameter providing functionality operative to provide generic component geometric parameters corresponding to the at least one equivalent as generic component geometric parameters corresponding to the ones of the components for which generic component geometric parameters are not available.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the at least one database includes a database containing pick & place machine-independent, geometric component data. Preferably, the database containing pick & place machine-independent, geometric component data includes at least one of a mapping of CV/Cat#s to component vendor-specific component geometric parameters (CCL), a mapping of CV/Cat#s to component supply form parameters (CCSL), a mapping of PCNs to component supply form parameters (UMCSL), a mapping of PCNs to CV/Cat#s (MCVL), a mapping of DCN to PCN, a user maintained mapping of CV/Cat# to component vendor-specific component geometric parameters (UMCL) and a mapping of PCN to generic component geometric parameters.

In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention the computerized equivalents locating functionality includes computerized PCN selection functionality operative to select at least one PCN corresponding to each of the ones of the components, CV/CAT# obtaining functionality operative to employ the at least one database to obtain at least one CV/CAT# corresponding to the at least one PCN, computerized searching functionality operative to search the at least one database for at least one additional PCN having at least one additional corresponding CV/CAT#, which is different from the at least one CV/CAT#, in common with the at least one PCN and for at least one different CV/CAT# corresponding to the at least one additional PCN, which does not correspond to the at least one PCN and computerized component parameter searching functionality operative to employ the at least one different CV/CAT# to search at least part of the at least one database for generic component geometric parameters corresponding to the at least one different CV/CAT#. Preferably, the providing generic component geometric includes presenting the generic component geometric parameters corresponding to the at least one different CV/CAT# together with the at least one PCN to an operator for approval.

There is further provided in accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the present invention apparatus for manufacturing an electronic circuit including computerized generic component parameter auto-generation functionality operative to employ a pick & place machine-specific component placement sequence, pick & place machine-specific component data for governing the operation of at least one specific pick & place machine in a manufacturing line and operating instructions in computer-readable language for the at least one specific pick & place machine to auto-generate generic component parameters for components used in manufacturing the electronic circuit on the at least one specific pick & place machine and computerized machine parameter auto-generation functionality operative to employ the generic component parameters to auto-generate a pick & place machine-specific component placement sequence and pick & place machine-specific component data for governing the operation of at least one other specific pick & place machine in a manufacturing line and operating instructions in computer-readable language for the at least one other specific pick & place machine.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the at least one other specific pick & place machine is a different type of pick & place machine from the at least one specific pick & place machine. Preferably, the computerized generic component parameter auto-generation functionality includes a first database containing at least one of pick & place machine independent geometric component data and pick & place machine-independent, component supply data and a second database containing component manufacturer-independent, pick & place machine-specific rules.

In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention the second database includes at least one of the following mappings a mapping of pick & place machine-specific component shape parameters to rules for generating component manufacturer-independent generic component geometric parameters, a mapping of pick & place machine-specific component supply parameters to rules for generating component manufacturer-independent generic component supply form parameters and a mapping of PCN parameters in pick & place machine specific syntax to generic PCN parameters. Preferably, the first database includes at least one of a mapping of CV/Cat#s to component vendor-specific component geometric parameters (CCL), a mapping of CV/Cat#s to component supply form parameters (CCSL), a mapping of PCNs to component supply form parameters (UMCSL), a mapping of PCNs to CV/Cat#s (MCVL), a mapping of DCN to PCN, a user maintained mapping of CV/Cat# to component vendor-specific component geometric parameters (UMCL) and a mapping of PCN to generic component geometric parameters.

In accordance with still another preferred embodiment of the present invention the computerized generic component parameter auto-generation functionality includes PCN obtaining functionality operative to obtain at least one PCN for ones of the components used in manufacturing the electronic circuit, rules operating functionality operative to employ the at least one PCN and a type of the at least one specific pick & place machine to access relevant ones of the component manufacturer-independent, pick & place machine-specific rules and to operate the ones of the component manufacturer-independent, pick & place machine-specific rules using at least one pick & place machine specific component parameter to obtain corresponding values and value assigning functionality operative to assign the values to corresponding generic component parameters. Preferably, the computerized generic component parameter auto-generation functionality also includes computerized value addition functionality operative to add the values and the corresponding generic component parameters to the first database for the at least one PCN and value indicating functionality operative to indicate the values and the corresponding generic component parameters that were obtained by indirect association.

In accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the present invention the computerized machine parameter auto-generation functionality includes computerized supply parameter auto-generation functionality operative to employ generic component supply form parameters and the second database for auto-generating pick & place machine specific component supply parameters and computerized shape parameter auto-generation functionality operative to employ the generic component geometric parameters and the second database for auto-generating pick & place machine specific component shape parameters. Preferably, the computerized supply parameter auto-generation functionality includes PCN selection functionality operative to select at least one PCN corresponding to each of the components, rules operating functionality operative to employ at least part of the generic component supply form parameters to access appropriate ones of the machine-specific, component manufacturer-independent rules for generating the pick & place machine-specific component data and to operate the appropriate ones of the machine-specific, component manufacturer-independent rules based on the third database and at least one of the generic component parameters to yield corresponding values and value assigning functionality operative to assign the corresponding values to corresponding ones of the pick & place machine-specific component supply parameters.

In accordance with another further preferred embodiment of the present invention the computerized supply parameter auto-generation functionality also includes computerized supply identifier auto-generation functionality operative to employ at least part of the generic component supply form parameters to auto-generate the corresponding pick & place machine specific component supply identifier. Preferably, the computerized shape parameter auto-generation functionality includes PCN selection functionality operative to select at least one PCN corresponding to each of the components, rules operating functionality operative to employ at least part of the generic component shape parameters to access appropriate ones of the machine-specific, component manufacturer-independent rules for generating the pick & place machine-specific component data and to operate the appropriate ones of the machine-specific, component manufacturer-independent rules based on the third database and at least one of the generic component parameters to yield corresponding values and value assigning functionality operative to assign the corresponding values to corresponding ones of the pick & place machine-specific component shape parameters.

In accordance with an additional preferred embodiment of the present invention the computerized shape parameter auto-generation functionality also includes computerized shape identifier auto-generation functionality operative to employ at least part of the generic component shape parameters to auto-generate the corresponding pick & place machine specific component shape identifier.

There is also provided in accordance with an additional preferred embodiment of the present invention apparatus for manufacturing an electronic circuit including computerized component parameter obtaining functionality operative to employ a pick & place machine-specific component placement sequence, pick & place machine-specific component data for governing the operation of at least one specific pick & place machine in a manufacturing line and operating instructions in computer-readable language for the at least one specific pick & place machine to obtain generic component geometric parameters for at least one specific component used in manufacturing the electronic circuit on the at least one specific pick & place machine and computerized auto-generation functionality operative to employ the generic component geometric parameters to auto-generate a pick & place machine-specific component placement sequence, pick & place machine-specific component data for governing the operation of the at least one specific pick & place machine and operating instructions in computer-readable language for the at least one specific pick & place machine when the at least one specific component is replaced by at least one substitute component.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the computerized component parameter obtaining functionality includes PCN obtaining functionality operative to obtain at least one of at least one PCN corresponding to the at least one specific component and at least one substitute PCN corresponding to the at least one substitute component, CV/CAT# obtaining functionality operative to employ a database including pick & place machine independent geometric component data to obtain at least one of at least one CV/CAT# corresponding to the at least one PCN and at least one substitute CV/CAT# corresponding to the at least one substitute PCN, component geometric parameter obtaining functionality operative to employ the database, the at least one CV/CAT# and the at least one substitute CV/CAT# to obtain generic component geometric parameters for at least one of the at least one specific component and at least one substitute component, geometric parameter comparing functionality operative to compare the generic component geometric parameters for the at least one specific component and the generic component geometric parameters for the at least one substitute component.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a simplified illustration of a system and functionality for automated manufacture of electronic circuits in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a simplified, diagrammatic illustration of four databases employed in the system and functionality of FIG. 1 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a simplified illustration of a pick & place machine vendor-independent component and supply data database employed in the system and functionality of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a simplified illustration of a pick & place machine-specific component manufacturer-independent rules database employed in the system and functionality of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are exemplary charts illustrating logical organization of rules, contained in the database of FIG. 4, for generating pick & place machine-specific component supply parameters and pick & place machine-specific component shape parameters respectively;

FIG. 6 is a simplified illustration of a pick & place machine-specific component and supply data database employed in the system and functionality of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 7 is a simplified illustration of a pick & place line and machine configurations database employed in the system and functionality of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIGS. 8A and 8B together form a simplified flowchart illustrating the operation of the system and functionality for automated manufacture of electronic circuits of FIGS. 1-7 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a simplified flowchart illustrating details of New PCN/CSF Search functionality, forming part of the functionality shown in the flowchart of FIGS. 8A and 8B;

FIG. 10 is a simplified flowchart illustrating details of auto-generation of pick & place machine specific component supply parameters forming part of the functionality shown in the flowchart of FIGS. 8A and 8B;

FIGS. 11A, 11 B, 11 C and 11 D are each a simplified diagrammatic illustration of the application of one type of pick & place machine-specific component manufacturer-independent rules for generating a corresponding type of pick & place machine-specific component supply parameters employed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a simplified flowchart illustrating details of GCG generation functionality, forming part of the functionality shown in the flowchart of FIGS. 8A and 8B;

FIGS. 13A and 13B together form a simplified flowchart illustrating details of New PCN/GCG Search functionality, forming part of the functionality shown in the flowchart of FIGS. 8A and 8B;

FIG. 14 is a simplified flowchart illustrating details of auto-generation of pick & place machine specific component shape parameters forming part of the functionality shown in the flowchart of FIGS. 8A and 8B;

FIGS. 15A, 15 B, 15 C, 15 D and 15 E are each a simplified diagrammatic illustration of the application of one type of pick & place machine-specific component manufacturer-independent rules for generating a corresponding type of pick & place machine-specific component shape parameters employed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a simplified flowchart illustrating details of alternative New PCN/CSF Search functionality, forming part of the functionality shown in the flowchart of FIGS. 8A and 8B;

FIGS. 17A and 17B together form a simplified flowchart illustrating details of alternative New PCN/GCG Search functionality, forming part of the functionality shown in the flowchart of FIGS. 8A and 8B;

FIG. 18 is a simplified illustration of a system and functionality for automated manufacture of electronic circuits in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention including functionality for transferring production of an electronic circuit from one manufacturing line to another manufacturing line;

FIG. 19 is a simplified illustration of a component manufacturer-independent, pick & place machine-specific rules database employed in the system and functionality of FIG. 18;

FIGS. 20A and 20B are simplified flowcharts illustrating the functionality of the system of FIG. 18;

FIG. 21 is a simplified illustration of a system and functionality for automated manufacture of electronic circuits in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, including functionality for modifying operating instructions when a substitute component having at least one different characteristic is sought to be employed on a manufacturing line;

FIG. 22 is a simplified flowchart illustrating the functionality of the system of FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a simplified illustration of a system and functionality for automated manufacture of electronic circuits in accordance with still another preferred embodiment of the present invention including functionality for auto-generation of MSSHPs and MSSUPs having enhanced generality;

FIG. 24 is a simplified, diagrammatic illustration of four databases employed in the system and functionality of FIG. 23 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 25 is a simplified illustration of a pick & place machine-specific component manufacturer-independent rules database employed in the system and functionality of FIGS. 23 and 24;

FIGS. 26A and 26B are exemplary charts illustrating logical organization of rules, contained in the database of FIG. 25, for generating adaptive pick & place machine-specific component supply parameters and adaptive pick & place machine-specific component shape parameters respectively;

FIG. 27 is a simplified illustration of a pick & place machine-specific component and supply data database employed in the system and functionality of FIGS. 23 and 24;

FIGS. 28A and 28B together form a simplified flowchart illustrating the functionality of the system of FIGS. 23-27;

FIG. 29 is a simplified flowchart illustrating details of auto-generation of adaptive pick & place machine specific component supply parameters forming part of the functionality shown in the flowchart of FIGS. 28A and 28B;

FIG. 30 is a simplified diagrammatic illustration of the application of pick & place machine-specific component manufacturer-independent rules for generating adaptive pick & place machine-specific component supply parameters for a specific carrier type;

FIG. 31 is a simplified flowchart illustrating details of auto-generation of adaptive pick & place machine specific component shape parameters forming part of the functionality shown in the flowchart of FIGS. 28A and 28B;

FIG. 32 is a simplified diagrammatic illustration of the application of pick & place machine-specific component manufacturer-independent rules for generating adaptive pick & place machine-specific component handling parameters;

FIGS. 33 and 34 are simplified diagrammatic illustrations of specification of the adaptive pick & place machine-specific component supply parameters for a reel carrier type and the adaptive pick & place machine-specific component handling parameters shown in respective FIGS. 30 and 32;

FIG. 35 is a simplified illustration of a system and functionality for automated manufacture of electronic circuits in accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, including functionality for employing newly auto-generated pick & place machine-specific component supply parameters and pick & place machine-specific component shape parameters instead of earlier generated pick & place machine-specific component supply parameters and pick & place machine-specific component shape parameters;

FIG. 36 is a simplified flowchart illustrating details of auto-generation of pick & place machine specific component supply parameters forming part of the functionality of FIG. 35; and

FIG. 37 is a simplified flowchart illustrating details of auto-generation of pick & place machine specific component shape parameters forming part of the functionality of FIG. 35.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention provides a method of manufacturing electronic circuits including generating CAD data, a bill of materials and an approved component vendor list for an electronic circuit and employing the CAD data, the bill of materials and the approved component vendor list for automatically generating a pick & place machine-specific component loading specification, a pick & place machine-specific component placement sequence and pick & place machine-specific component data for governing the operation of at least one specific pick & place machine in a manufacturing line.

Reference is now made to FIG. 1, which is a simplified illustration of a system and functionality for automated manufacture of electronic circuits in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

A typical context in which the present invention is used is an automated electronic circuit manufacture facility which includes one or more automated electronic circuit manufacturing lines, one of which is shown in FIG. 1 and identified generally by reference numeral 100 . Each electronic circuit manufacturing line typically comprises a plurality of pick & place machines which may or may not originate from the same equipment vendor. Typically, each line comprises between one and ten pick & place machines. In FIG. 1, three such machines are illustrated and are respectively designated by reference numerals 102 , 104 and 106 . In the illustrated example of FIG. 1, each of pick & place machines 102 , 104 and 106 is supplied by a different equipment vendor.

One or more machine line programmers, operating a machine line programming station 110 , are responsible, inter alia, for providing operating instructions in computer-readable language to the pick & place machines of one or more lines 100 , such as pick & place machines 102 , 104 and 106 . The machine line programmer is also responsible for providing operating instructions in human-readable form to one or more pick & place machine operators who configure the pick & place machines and load components onto the machines. These human-readable instructions may be provided to the operators via respective displays 112 , 114 and 116 , on pick & place machines 102 , 104 and 106 , or, preferably, via hand-held terminals 118 or, alternatively, in hard copy.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the machine line programmer employs an embodiment of the present invention which is preferably embodied in software loaded onto one or more computers forming part of machine line programming station 110 . The machine line programmer also employs electronic circuit design and specification data specific to each electronic circuit to be manufactured. This data is preferably supplied via a computer network 120 from one or more remote servers 122 , directly to one or more computers forming part of machine line programming station 110 and preferably includes CPL, ACVL and BOM data, respectively designated by reference numerals 124 , 126 and 128 .

In processing the received CPL 124 , ACVL 126 and BOM 128 data to provide operating instructions, the machine line programmer preferably employs databases 130 preferably including at least four databases, identified in FIG. 1 as databases A, B, C and D. As indicated in FIG. 2, to which reference is now additionally made, databases A, B, C and D may be characterized as follows:

Database A—containing pick & place machine vendor-independent component and supply data;

Database B—containing pick & place machine-specific component manufacturer-independent rules;

Database C—containing pick & place machine-specific component and supply data; and

Database D—containing pick & place line and machine configurations.

FIG. 2 diagrammatically illustrates that in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention databases A, B and D are employed in combination in accordance with the present invention to automatically generate at least part of the content of database C.

As seen in FIG. 1, preferably the machine line programming station 110 , using software of the present invention, employs the received CPL 124 , ACVL 126 and BOM 128 data and databases A, B and possibly D to perform auto-generation of pick & place machine-specific component shape parameters and pick & place machine-specific component supply parameters which are preferably incorporated into database C, as described hereinbelow.

As also seen in FIG. 1, the machine line programming station 110 , using software of the present invention, preferably employs the received CPL 124 , ACVL 126 and BOM 128 data and databases A-D to perform line balancing and programming functions, the outputs of which are pick & place machine-specific component shape and supply parameters which are supplied to pick & place machines 102 , 104 and 106 in a machine-readable language which is readable by each specific machine and human-readable machine feeder set-up instructions specifically adapted for each of the pick & place machines 102 , 104 and 106 .

Reference is now made to FIG. 3, which illustrates the structure and content of database A. As seen in FIG. 3, database A includes a plurality of mappings, each shown enclosed in a rectangle, which are preferably employed to enhance the accessibility of the information stored in the database.

A first mapping, here designated by reference numeral 150 , maps designer component numbers (DCN) appearing in the BOM 128 (FIG. 1) to programmer component numbers (PCN). Preferably, this is a one-to-one mapping, but alternatively may be a many-to-many mapping. A separate mapping 150 is preferably provided for the designer component numbers (DCN) of each separate design center.

A second mapping, here designated by reference numeral 152 and referred to hereinafter as MCVL, maps programmer component numbers (PCN) to component vendor/catalog number pairs (CV/CAT#). This is a many-to-many mapping.

A third mapping, here designated by reference numeral 153 and referred to hereinafter as CCSL, maps CV/CAT#s to component supply form (CSF) parameters. This is preferably a many-to-one mapping. This mapping includes two stages: an initial stage mapping, designated by reference numeral 154 , which includes a many-to-one mapping of component vendor/catalog number pairs (CV/CAT#) to generic component supply identifiers, and a second stage mapping, designated by reference numeral 155 , which includes a one-to-one mapping of generic component supply identifiers to component supply form (CSF) parameters.

A fourth mapping, here designated by reference numeral 156 and referred to hereinafter as UMCSL, maps programmer component numbers (PCN) to component supply form (CSF) parameters and is maintained by the machine line programmer using station 110 (FIG. 1). This is preferably a many-to-one mapping. This mapping includes two stages: an initial stage mapping, designated by reference numeral 157 , which preferably includes a many-to-one mapping of PCNs to generic component supply identifiers, and a second stage mapping, designated by reference numeral 158 , which includes a one-to-one mapping of generic component supply identifiers to component supply form (CSF) parameters.

It is appreciated that for the sake of database conciseness, the second stage mappings 155 and 158 may be combined into a single mapping.

A fifth mapping, here designated by reference numeral 159 and referred to hereinafter as CCL, maps component vendor/catalog number pairs (CV/CAT#) to generic component geometric (GCG) parameters. This mapping includes two stages: an initial stage mapping, designated by reference numeral 160 , which includes a many-to-one mapping of component vendor/catalog number pairs (CV/CAT#) to generic component shape identifiers, and a second stage mapping, designated by reference numeral 162 , which includes a one-to-one mapping of generic component shape identifiers to generic component geometric (GCG) parameters. It is noted that the generic component geometric (GCG) parameters include, inter alia, one or more default component supply forms (DCSF).

A sixth mapping, here designated by reference numeral 164 and referred to hereinafter as UMCL, maps component vendor/catalog number pairs (CV/CAT#) to generic component geometric (GCG) parameters and is maintained by the machine line programmer using station 110 (FIG. 1). This mapping includes two stages: an initial stage mapping, designated by reference numeral 166 , which includes a many-to-one mapping of component vendor/catalog number pairs (CV/CAT#) to generic component shape identifiers, and a second stage mapping, designated by reference numeral 168 , which includes a one-to-one mapping of generic component shape identifiers to generic component geometric (GCG) parameters. It is noted that the generic component geometric (GCG) parameters include, inter alia, one or more default component supply forms (DCSF).

It is appreciated that for the sake of database conciseness, the second stage mappings 162 and 168 may be combined into a single mapping.

A seventh mapping, here designated by reference numeral 170 , maps programmer component numbers (PCNs) directly to generic component geometric (GCG) parameters. This mapping can be used by the machine line programmer to override the fifth and sixth mappings.

Reference is now made to FIG. 4, which illustrates the structure and content of database B. As seen in FIG. 4, database B includes a plurality of mappings, each shown enclosed in a rectangle, which are preferably employed to enhance the accessibility of the information stored in the database.

A first mapping, here designated by reference numeral 200 , maps component manufacturer-independent component characteristics to rules for generating pick & place machine-specific component shape parameters (MSSHP). The rules for generating pick & place machine-specific component shape parameters are preferably divided into several groups in database B including:

    • Rules 202 for generating component geometric parameters. These rules are not necessarily pick & place machine-specific but provide component geometric parameters which appear in a pick & place machine-specific syntax.
    • Rules 204 for generating pick & place machine-specific component handling parameters. These rules are pick & place machine-specific.
    • Rules 206 for generating pick & place machine-specific component imaging parameters. These rules are pick & place machine-specific.
    • Rules 208 for generating pick & place machine-specific component recognition tolerances. These rules are pick & place machine-specific.
    • Rules 210 for generating pick & place machine-specific procedures. These rules include two sub-groups of rules:
      • Rules 212 for generating component inspection procedures and recognition standards. For example, these rules determine the number of attempts to pick up a component before a pick-up failure is noted.
      • Rules 214 for generating pick & place machine-specific procedures other than rules 212 for generating component inspection procedures and recognition standards. For example, these rules determine what is to be done with rejected components.

A second mapping, here designated by reference numeral 220 , maps component manufacturer-independent component supply form characteristics to rules for generating pick & place machine-specific component supply parameters (MSSUP). The rules for generating pick & place machine-specific component supply parameters include rules 222 for generating component carrier type parameters. These rules are not necessarily pick & place machine-specific but provide component carrier type parameters which appear in a pick & place machine-specific syntax. Rules 222 include four sub-groups:

    • Rules 224 for generating reel parameters, such as for example, rules relating to reel diameter, width and pitch.
    • Rules 226 for generating tray parameters, such as, for example, rules relating to the number of components contained on a tray along its X and Y axes.
    • Rules 228 for generating stick parameters, such as, for example, rules relating to the width of the stick and the number of components contained in the stick.
    • Rules 230 for generating bulk parameters, such as, for example, rules relating to the width of the opening of a bulk container.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 5A and 5B, which are exemplary charts illustrating logical organization of rules, contained in the database of FIG. 4, for generating pick & place machine-specific component supply parameters and pick & place machine-specific component shape parameters, respectively.

Turning to FIG. 5A, which illustrates the organization of rules for generating pick & place machine-specific component supply parameters, it is seen that the chart of rules is organized along a vertical axis according to pick & place machine-specific component supply parameters (MSSUPs), such as reel feed pitch, reel sub-feed pitch, and reel width, to which a value is to be assigned in accordance with the rules.

It is appreciated that typically a separate chart of the type shown in FIG. 5A is applicable to each carrier type, such as reels, trays, sticks and bulk, and to each specific model of pick & place machine.

Each cell in the chart contains an exemplary rule. For example, cell 232 , which relates to the number of machine feeds, contains a rule which, when operated, calculates an integer part of a ratio between the reel pitch and the machine feed distance, and assigns the resulting value to the machine feed parameter.

As another example, cell 234 , which relates to the number of machine sub-feeds, contains a rule which, when operated, calculates the remainder of the ratio between the reel pitch and the machine feed distance. If the remainder is not zero, the resulting value is assigned to the machine sub-feed parameter. Otherwise, the machine sub-feed parameter is irrelevant.

It is appreciated that any suitable rule logic may be employed in the rules of FIG. 5A.

Turning to FIG. 5B, which illustrates the organization of rules for generating pick & place machine-specific component shape parameters, it is seen that the chart of rules is organized along a horizontal axis according to component manufacturer-independent component types, such as BGA, QFP and CONNECTORS and is organized along a vertical axis according to pick & place machine-specific component shape parameters (MSSHPs), such as pickup depth, named nozzle, maximum nozzle and illumination level, to which a value is to be assigned in accordance with the rules.

Each cell in the chart contains an exemplary rule. For example, cell 242 , which relates to pickup depth for a BGA component, contains a rule which, when operated, defines the pickup depth to be equal to the component height.

As another example, cell 244 , which relates to a named nozzle for a connector type component, contains a rule which, when operated, calculates the ratio between the maximum of the component's X dimension and the component's Y dimension and the minimum of the component's X dimension and the component's Y dimension, and determines the nozzle to be used accordingly. In the example shown in cell 244 , if the ratio is greater than or equal to 2, and the minimum of the component's X dimension and the component's Y dimension is greater than or equal to 8, then the largest nozzle is named. Otherwise, if the ratio is less than 2, then the parameter of named nozzle is irrelevant. Otherwise, when the ratio is greater than or equal to 2 but the minimum of the component's X dimension and the component's Y dimension is less than 8, then a medium nozzle is named.

As a further example, cell 246 , which relates to a maximum nozzle parameter for a QFP component, contains a rule which, when operated, calculates the maximum of the component's X dimension and the component's Y dimension, and determines the maximum nozzle width by multiplying this maximum by 0.95.

It is appreciated that any suitable rule logic may be employed in the rules of FIG. 5B.

Reference is now made to FIG. 6, which illustrates the structure and content of database C. As seen in FIG. 6, database C includes a plurality of mappings, each shown enclosed in a rectangle, which are preferably employed to enhance the accessibility of the information stored in the database.

A first mapping, here designated by reference numeral 250 , maps programmer component numbers (PCNs) to pick & place machine-specific component shape identifiers. This is a many-to-one mapping.

A second mapping, here designated by reference numeral 252 , maps pick & place machine-specific component shape identifiers to pick & place machine-specific component shape parameters (MSSHP). The pick & place machine-specific component shape parameters are divided into several groups in database C including:

    • Component geometric parameters 254 . The parameters are not necessarily pick & place machine-specific but appear in a pick & place machine-specific syntax.
    • Pick & place machine-specific component handling parameters 256 . These parameters are pick & place machine-specific.
    • Pick & place machine-specific component imaging parameters 258 . These parameters are pick & place machine-specific.
    • Pick & place machine-specific component recognition tolerances 260 . These tolerances are pick & place machine-specific.
    • Pick & place machine-specific procedures 262 . These procedures include two sub-groups:
      • Component inspection procedures and recognition standards 264 .
      • Pick & p