Industry/University Cooperative Projects Center
| Agilent | COBE Cardiovascular | Ford Motor Company | Lockheed-Martin |
| Ball Aerospace | Coors | IBM | Micro Motion |
| Ball Packaging | CTD | ICAST | Nastic Actuator Development |
| Boeing | CONMED | Intel | Sikorsky |
Agilent
Agilent was formerly the instruments part of HP before HP split into an instruments company (Agilent) and a computer company (HP). Agilent has facilities all over the world, including a rather large facility in Loveland, CO. One of the products developed and manufactured in the Loveland facility is the 5DX, which is an instrument that is used to determine defects in the solder joints of an electronic package. This instrument makes use of an x-ray device, a photo-detector system, a panel positioning system and software algorithms. The product can be used right on the manufacturing assembly line of company that produces electronic packages or electronic systems.
Project 1: High Speed Panel Load/Unload System
It is desired to reduce the total test cycle time for determining solder joint defects in a panel, using the 5DX. This will lead to reduced total manufacturing time and thus lower panel cost for the user of the 5DX. Presently the panel (electronic package) is put onto a flat conveyor belt, and clamped in place. The package is then moved in front of an x-ray and detection-camera system so that images of the solder joints are collected. Using imaging algorithms, solder defects are detected. When the scanning is complete the panel is unclamped and removed from the 5DX conveyor belt and machine. A faster means is required to bring the panel into and out of the 5DX, clamp and unclamp it, and transport it while in the 5DX.
Project 2: Design a Simulation of the 5DX Rotary System
A motor- belt system is used to spin and position a detecting mirror so that it is in synch with the rotating x-ray beam. This detector system is located below the panel, which is located below the x-ray device. This rotary system basically consists of a motor, bearings, pulleys, elastic timing belts, etc. It is desired to build and design a system that accurately simulates the operation of this 5DX rotary detector system. This includes simulating bearing friction, timing belt elasticity, tension and other non-linearities. Additionally it is desired to build a theoretical model of this system as well. It is desired to use software tools that are also readily available to Agilent engineers. Presently this positioning system has a low inertia motor driving a high inertia detector through a series of elastic timing belts. This makes accurate control of the detector quite difficult. It is felt that having excellent simulation tools will be helpful in overcoming some of the control problems that have been encountered. It will also allow the control algorithms to operate properly for a greater range of components used in the rotary system.