Apparatus for determining an orientation of a die
An apparatus for determining an orientation of a die mounted on a tape includes an imaging device, a light source and a conveying mechanism. The die is at least partially translucent and includes at least one orientation feature indicative of the orientation of the die. In use, the conveying mechanism conveys the tape to position the die at an inspection position between the imaging device and the light source. The light source projects light to the imaging device and the imaging device captures an image. The projected light from the light source passing through the die is obstructed by the at least one orientation feature of the die to cause the captured image to include an image of the at least one orientation feature, whereby the orientation of the die may be determined.
1. An apparatus for determining an orientation of a die mounted on a tape, wherein the die is at least partially translucent and comprises at least one orientation feature indicative of the orientation of the die, and wherein the apparatus comprises:
an imaging device configured to capture an image of the die;
a light source configured to project light towards the imaging device;
a holding unit configured to hold the light source, wherein the holding unit comprises an opening and the light source is configured to project the light through the opening, and wherein the holding unit is an ejector unit operative to urge the die away from the tape; and
a conveying mechanism operative to convey the tape to position the die at an inspection position between the imaging device and the light source, such that the projected light from the light source passing through the die is obstructed by the at least one orientation feature of the die to cause the captured image to include an image of the at least one orientation feature, whereby the orientation of the die is determinable.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the ejector unit comprises an ejector pin, and the ejector pin is operative to move through the opening to contact the die to urge the die away from the tape.
3. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the imaging device and the inspection position lie within a viewing cone centered at the opening of the holding unit.
4. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the imaging device, the inspection position and the opening of the holding unit are arranged along an axis perpendicular to the tape.
5. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the imaging device and the light source are arranged on opposite sides of the tape.
6. The apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the light source is arranged below the tape and the imaging device is arranged above the tape.
7. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the light source comprises a plurality of light emitting elements configured to project a plurality of light rays.
8. The apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the projected plurality of light rays intersect one another.
9. The apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the projected plurality of light rays intersect one another above the die at the inspection position.
10. The apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the projected plurality of light rays are spaced apart from one another.
11. The apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the projected plurality of light rays form a fan shape.
12. The apparatus according to claim 7 , further comprising:
a light reflector arranged below the plurality of light emitting elements and configured to direct the plurality of light rays towards the imaging device;
a collimator light guide operative to collimate the light rays reflected from the light reflector; and
a light diffuser operative to diffuse any light rays that are perpendicular to an optical path between the holding unit and the imaging device.
13. The apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the light emitting elements are arranged symmetrically about an axis along which the imaging device, the inspection position and the opening of the holding unit are arranged.
14. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a distance between the inspection position and the opening of the holding unit ranges from 0 mm to 2 mm.
15. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a surface of the holding unit comprises a translucent body having a translucent top surface, the translucent body being operative to project the light to pass through an area comprising a plurality of dies, whereby orientations of the plurality of dies is determinable simultaneously.
16. The apparatus according to claim 15 , wherein the translucent body comprises a light diffuser operative to diffuse any light rays that are perpendicular to an optical path between the holding unit and the imaging device and to direct the light rays primary along the optical path.
17. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the light source is arranged below the tape and the imaging device is arranged above the tape.