Apparatus for automatically inspecting electrical connecting pins

摘要

An automatic pin inspection apparatus and method inspects a plurality of pins that are arranged in a predetermined configuration such as parallel rows and converts the image of the pins to a digital signal for application to a computer system. The digital system is compared with a known reference stored in a memory within the digital computer system and units that do not meet specified tolerances are rejected. A conveyer mechanism ensures the automation of the process. A centering technique is implemented and compensates for the jittering due to the movement of pins to ensure proper alignment of the image prior to the comparison being made.