Rework system for unsoldering and/or soldering electronic components on a circuit board

Abstract

Rework system for unsoldering and/or soldering electronic components on a circuit board, having a work table for fastening the circuit board, having a module which can travel along at least one X-axis and one Y-axis having at least one camera for accommodating electronic components provided on the circuit board, having a drive unit on which the module can travel with the camera, having a control unit for activating the drive unit, having a computing unit to which a display and user-operable input means are assigned, wherein the input means comprises a pointer which can be moved on the display and a command generator which can be operated in a positioning mode for positioning the camera in two steps (rough positioning and fine positioning).

Claims

1. Rework system for unsoldering and/or soldering electronic components on a circuit board, comprising: a work table for fastening the circuit board, a module which can travel along at least one X-axis and one Y-axis having at least one camera for accommodating electronic components provided on the circuit board, a drive unit for moving the module with the camera, a control unit for activating the drive unit, a computing unit to which a display and user-operable input means are assigned, wherein the input means comprises a pointer which can be moved on the display and a command generator, characterized in that the computing unit is configured in such a manner that in a positioning mode control signals are generated by using the input means, depending on which the control unit activates the drive unit for positioning the module and therefore the at least one camera, and in that the computing unit is further configured in such a manner that in the positioning mode on the display in a camera image area the camera image of the at least one camera, which shows at least one of the circuit board and the electronic components of the circuit board enlarged, and an overview image showing at least one of the work table and a circuit board fastened to the work table, wherein, the pointer can be moved into the overview image and there to a first target position of the camera, and upon actuating the command generator, when the pointer at the first target position is in the overview image, the drive unit is activated in such a manner that the camera travels into a first target setting corresponding to the first target position, and that, in this target setting, the camera image is displayed on the display in the camera image area, and after the camera has reached its first target setting, the pointer can be moved in the camera image area displayed on the display to a second target position displayed in the camera image, and upon actuating the command generator, when the pointer is in the camera image area at the second target position, the drive unit is actuated in such a manner that the camera travels to a second target setting corresponding to the second target position, and that, in this second target setting, the camera image is displayed on the display in a specific position in the camera image area.

2. Rework system according to claim 1, characterized in that the computing unit is configured in such a manner that it is possible to switch from another mode into the positioning mode.

3. Rework system according to claim 1, characterized in that the computing unit is configured in the positioning mode in such a manner that the camera image in at least one of the first and second target settings is displayed centrally and in particular centered in the camera image area.

4. Rework system according to claim 1, characterized in that the computing unit is configured in the positioning mode in such a manner that an actual position corresponding to the respective current actual setting of the camera is displayed in the overview image.

5. Rework system according to claim 1, characterized in that the computing unit is configured in the positioning mode in such a manner that the camera image, when the camera travels, is displayed on the display during the travel.

6. Rework system according to claim 1, characterized in that the computing unit is configured in the positioning mode in such a manner that, when, during the travel of the camera, the pointer is in the camera image area or in the overview image and when the command generator is additionally actuated, the drive unit is activated in such a manner that the travel movement is stopped.

7. Rework system according to claim 1, characterized in that the computing unit is configured in the positioning mode in such a manner that the ratio of the camera image area to the displayed overview image is in the area from 40/3 to 40/1.

8. Rework system according to claim 1, characterized in that the computing unit is configured in the positioning mode in such a manner that a zoom function of the camera image is made available, and in that the zoom function can be actuated by means of at least one of the pointer and actuation of the command generator.

9. Rework system according to claim 1, characterized in that the computing unit is configured in the positioning mode in such a manner that the pointer has a different contour when it is located in the area of the overview image than when the pointer is located in the camera image area.

10. Rework system according to claim 1, characterized in that the contour of the pointer in the overview image is formed as a rectangle.

11. Rework system according to claim 1, characterized in that the computing unit is configured in the positioning mode in such a manner that the overview image can be at least one of displaced, minimized, and maximized on the display by means of at least one of the pointer and actuation of the command generator.

12. Rework system according to claim 1, characterized in that the computing unit is configured in such a manner that it forms a first module which represents the overview image on the display, and in that it forms a second module which represents the camera image area on the display, wherein both modules can be made available or are made available independently of one another.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Additional details and advantageous designs of the invention can be found in the following description, which describes and explains an exemplary design of the invention in more detail.

[0033] In which:

[0034] FIG. 1 is a rework system according to the invention;

[0035] FIG. 2 is the display of the rework system according to FIG. 1 in the positioning mode in a first state;

[0036] FIG. 3 is the enlarged map shown in FIG. 2;

[0037] FIG. 4 is the display according to FIG. 2 in an additional state;

[0038] FIG. 5 is the display according to FIG. 4 when selecting the target position;

[0039] FIG. 6 is the display according to FIG. 5 when actuating the target position;

[0040] FIG. 7 is the display according to FIG. 6 when the camera is traveling;

[0041] FIG. 8 is the display according to FIG. 7 when reaching the target setting of the camera;

[0042] FIG. 9 is the display according to FIG. 8 when moving the pointer;

[0043] FIG. 10 is the display according to FIG. 9 when moving the pointer to the second target position, and

[0044] FIG. 11 is the display according to FIG. 10 of the second target setting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] FIG. 1 shows a rework system 10 for unsoldering and/or soldering electronic components on a circuit board 14. The rework system 10 comprises a work table 12 on which a circuit board 14 is clamped. A processing module 16 is arranged above the table 12 or the circuit board 14, which can travel along an X-axis 18 and a Y-axis 20. The module 16 can also travel in a vertical direction along a Z-axis. A portal-shaped carrier 22 that has two supports 24 at its free ends is provided for the traveling of the module 16. The supports 24 can thereby travel along the Y-axis 20 in associated guides 26. An additional guide 28 is provided on the carrier 22, along which the module can travel in the X-direction 18, i.e. perpendicular to the Y-direction 20. A drive unit 30 which is not described in more detail in FIG. 1 is provided for the traveling of the module 16 in space. The drive unit 30 can comprise servo motors that travel the carrier 22, and therewith the module 16, in the X-direction, the module 16 on the carrier 22 in the Y-direction and the module 16 in the vertical Z-direction. A control unit 32 is provided to activate the drive unit 30. Further, a computing unit 34 is provided, wherein the control unit 32 is a component part of the computing unit 34 or is formed by it or integrated into it. In a not shown embodiment the control unit can also form a distinct unit, separated from the computing unit 34.

[0046] A display 36 is assigned to the computing unit 34, as well as input means 38, which can be operated by a user and which, in the embodiment shown, contains a keyboard and a computer mouse with a mouse pointer on the display 36. The input means 38 can also be designed differently, for example as a touchpad or touch-sensitive display (touch screen).

[0047] The module 16 of the embodiment shown comprises a heating device 40 to heat 14 electronic components present on the circuit board or their solder connections with the circuit board. The module 16 also comprises an automated gripping device 42, used to lift electronic components from the circuit board 14 and place them precisely on the circuit board 14. Further, a top camera 44 (hereinafter referred to as camera) is installed in the module 16, which is used to receive the circuit board 14 or the components arranged thereon from above. Additionally to the camera 44, an RPC camera 46 (Reflow Process Camera) is provided at the module 16 via an arm 45, with which the electronic components can be captured obliquely from the front and in particular the fusing of the solder can be observed.

[0048] The heating device 40 and the gripping device 42 as well as the camera 44 and the additional camera 46 can be activated via the computing unit 34 or via additional control units.

[0049] For positioning the module 16 above the circuit board 14, the module 16 together with the camera 44 travels via a suitable activation of the drive unit 30 in such a manner that the respective electronic part on the circuit board 14 is located precisely below the module 16. This is not easily possible with larger circuit boards, which can have a length and a width of several 10 centimeters, since the image captured by the camera 44 is also shown highly enlarged on the display 36.

[0050] For the positioning of the module 16 or the camera 44 above the desired part, the computing unit 34 is first switched into a positioning mode via the input means 38.

[0051] In this positioning mode, the display 36 shows the image shown in FIG. 2. The display 36 shows firstly the camera image of the camera 44 in a camera image area 48. In the camera image area 48 the circuit board 14 is to be seen highly enlarged with the electronic components arranged on it.

[0052] The camera image represented on the display 36 is preferably two-dimensional; however, it is also conceivable that the images captured by the two cameras 44 and 46 are evaluated, edited and processed by the computing unit 34 in such a manner that a three-dimensional camera image is presented in the camera image area 48. Therewith, a positioning of the camera 44 and the entire module 16 with the corresponding components can take place in the space above the circuit board 14. If it is mentioned in the following that the captured camera image is shown in the camera image area 48, this may also comprise the evaluating, editing and processing of the image data generated by the camera 44 and possibly also by the camera 46 and made available to the computing unit 34.

[0053] At the top right, the display 36 shows an overview image in the shape of a map 50, which represents the surface of the work table 12 reduced in size. The map was generated from an illustration of stored CAD data defining the circuit board. Instead of a map 50 it would be also conceivable to fade in a camera image as overview image, which is captured by a camera, which covers the entire work table and/or the entire circuit board 14 to be processed.

[0054] The map 50 shows the work table 12 divided into 20 grid squares. Depending on the size and design of the work table 12, a different number and division of grid squares may be provided, in particular 55 grid squares, i.e. a total of 25 grid squares. The size and alignment of the grid squares can correspond to the heating elements present in the working space with which the circuit board 14 can be heated.

[0055] Further, the actual position of the camera 44 on the map 50 is marked by highlighting a rectangle 52. The section shown by the camera 44 does not necessarily have to correspond to the size of a grid square.

[0056] Altogether, when viewing the map 50, the user has an immediate impression of which area of the circuit board 14 is visible in the camera image area 48 on the display 36.

[0057] On the display 36 according to FIG. 2, additional information can be made available, for example various menus that can be selected to change modes, as well as other technical information.

[0058] The map 50 is shown enlarged in FIG. 3. Clearly recognizable are single grid squares, into which the table 12 is divided as well as the area or the rectangle 52 of the table 12 or the circuit board 14, which is currently captured by the camera 44. The highlighted area 52 thus corresponds to the actual position of the camera 44. The map 50 can have additional pushbuttons 54, for example to minimize the map 50 or to maximize the map 50, or to zoom into the map 50 or to make the map 50 transparent.

[0059] In order for the module 16 and the camera 44 to travel into a certain position in the positioning mode in a comparatively simple and yet precise manner, the computing unit 34 is configured in such a manner that it can be operated as explained below.

[0060] By means of the input means 38, and particularly with a mouse, a pointer 56 shown in FIG. 2 can be moved on the display 36. The computing unit 34 is thus set up in such a manner that when the pointer 56 is moved in or out of the camera image area 48, the pointer 56 changes its contour. In FIG. 4, the pointer 56 is located within the camera image area 48 and is represented there as a cross. If the pointer 56 is then moved additionally into the area of the map 50, as represented in FIG. 5, then the pointer 56 changes its contour again. In FIG. 5, the pointer 56 is represented as a filled rectangle, which corresponds to the ratio of the size of the camera image to be displayed in the camera image area 48.

[0061] The computing unit 34 is additionally configured in the positioning mode in such a manner that the pointer 56 on the map 50 can be used to select a target position which the camera 44 should travel to. Selecting the target position is achieved by actuating a command generator on the input means 28, for example by single or double-clicking the mouse button.

[0062] If in FIG. 5 the position selected using the pointer 56 in the map 50 is confirmed by clicking on it, then the pointer 56 changes its contour again, as shown in FIG. 6. The pointer 56 is represented there as a circle after selecting the target position and actuating the command generator.

[0063] The starting position and the destination position of the camera 44 are thus represented as a rectangle on the map 50, where the destination position is represented by the position of the pointer 56. After triggering the travel of the camera 44, the shape of the pointer changes to a preferably red circle, in which a white square is preferably present. This symbol, which is inspired by the stop button of a recording device, is intended to indicate that an additional command input, i.e. a click, interrupts the travel movement during the travel. While in particular this red circle with the white square is displayed, no other command input is possible than to abort the travel movement. This will make a protection mechanism available which saves the user from having to search for a shutdown button.

[0064] By actuating the command generator, the drive unit 30 is activated by the control unit 32 or by the computing unit 34 in such a manner that the module 16, and thus the camera 44, travels in the direction of an actual target setting corresponding to the target position for rough positioning. During the travel, the camera image captured by the camera 44 is displayed in the camera image area 48 of the display 36, which is unclear or blurred due to the comparatively fast travel of the camera 44 in FIG. 7.

[0065] Due to the movement of the camera 44, the actual position 52 of the camera 44 displayed on the map 50 also changes. As a result, the user also has an overview of where the camera 44 is located on the map 50 or which portion of the circuit board 14 is reproduced in the camera image area 48 when moving the camera 44.

[0066] By reaching the target setting of the camera 44, the actual position 52 represented on the map 50 reaches the target position selected on the map 50; in FIG. 8, the bordered rectangle surrounds the selected first target position, i.e. the actual position 52, which was clicked by the pointer 56. The associated section of the circuit board 14 is now represented in the camera image area 48.

[0067] The computing unit 34 is furthermore configured in such a manner that, for example, the pointer 56 can be moved from the map 50 to the camera image area 48 after reaching the first target setting of the camera 44, as shown in FIG. 8. If the pointer 56 is moved over the map 50, it changes its contour again to a filled rectangle, as shown in FIG. 9. If the pointer 56 is now dragged additionally from the map 50 into the camera image area 48, then the pointer 56 changes its contour again; it changes again to the circular contour, as shown in FIG. 10. As a result, the user is signaled that he can now perform the fine positioning by placing the pointer 56 in the camera image area 48 at the position he wants to center in the camera image area 48.

[0068] If the user now moves the pointer 56 in FIG. 10 to the second target position and actuates the command generator there, the drive unit 30 is activated in such a manner that the camera 44 travels to a second target setting corresponding to the second target position for fine positioning. After triggering the travel of the camera 44, the shape of the pointer 56 changes again into a red circle, in which preferably a white square is present, which is inspired by a stop button of a recording device. The camera image captured by the camera 44 in the second target setting is then, as shown in FIG. 11, centered in the camera image area 48.

[0069] The computing unit 34 is configured in the positioning mode in such a manner that when, during the travel of the camera 44, the pointer 56 (which is then in particular presented as a red circle with a white square within it) is in the camera image area 48 or in the map 50, and when the command generator is additionally actuated, the drive unit 30 is activated in such a manner that the travel movement is stopped. Hereby, the user has the possibility to stop the travel movement at any time by actuating the command generator.

[0070] Thereby, the camera image is adapted to the movement of the camera 44 or to the motor or the travel steps of the drive unit 30 and the system is calibrated in m area so that length or distance measurements can be made.

[0071] By actuating the corresponding pushbuttons, the camera image shown in the camera image area 48 can be additionally enlarged or reduced if necessary.

[0072] With the described setup of the computing unit, the camera can travel to the desired target setting in a comparatively simple and fast manner in order to inspect the desired electronic component.

[0073] Advantageously, the computing unit 34 has two independent modules, one module indicating the respective camera image in the camera image area 48 and another module indicating the map 50 and the respective actual position 52 of the camera in the map 50. The computing unit 34 can thereby provide the two modules with identical parameters, so that the two modules synchronously represent the camera image in the camera image area 48 and the map 50 on the display 36.