The present invention is apparatus for automatically unloading integrated circuit devices passing from a test site or test sites of an integrated circuit handler down one or more chutes (64). The apparatus includes a stacker assembly (26) comprising one or more hoppers (34). Further, an accumulator assembly (28) providing a plurality of accumulating apertures (62) formed between various loom elements (58, 60) is provided. A shuttle (50) receives an integrated circuit storage and transfer tube (42) from one of the hoppers (34) and transfers the tube (42) to a position relative to the accumulator assembly (28) wherein it can be lifted off the shuttle (50) and maintained in a column of tubes (42) in an accumulating aperture (62). Eccentric cams (74) can be employed to effect the lifting function, and a plurality of spring clip retainers (168) can be provided to hold the tubes (42) in a position in which they receive integrated circuits passing down the chutes (64) prior to being progressively urged upwardly within the accumulating apertures (62).
Systems and methods are disclosed for testing semiconductor devices, using a tester providing tested semiconductor devices to a device output track, which feeds the semiconductor devices into a storage tube. The tester selectively removes the storage tube from the output track when the tube is filled and when no device is in the output track proximate the semiconductor storage tube. In addition, the tester refrains from removing the storage tube from the output track when a semiconductor device is in the device output track proximate the storage tube, so as to prevent or reduce damage to semiconductor devices during removal of the storage tube from the output track.
While the manufacturing of integrated circuits (IC) has become a mostly automated process, the loading of the ICs into storage and shipping tubes 105 still requires a large amount of human interaction. A major stumbling block to the automation is the removal and insertion of retention pins 115 in the tubes. The present invention uses pressurized air 406 to hold a partially extracted retention pin 115 in position while the tube 105 is loaded. Once loaded, the retention pin 115 is reinserted. By not fully extracting the retention pin 115, alignment is maintained, simplifying the reinsertion step.
While the manufacturing of integrated circuits (IC) has become a mostly automated process, the loading of the ICs into storage and shipping tubes 105 still requires a large amount of human interaction. A major stumbling block to the automation is the removal and insertion of retention pins 115 in the tubes. The present invention uses pressurized air 406 to hold a partially extracted retention pin 115 in position while the tube 105 is loaded. Once loaded, the retention pin 115 is reinserted. By not fully extracting the retention pin 115, alignment is maintained, simplifying the reinsertion step.
