BACKGROUND ART Use of an automatic inserter, which automatically inserts various kinds of elements on a printed circuit board (PCB), has increased in association with factory automation. In general, users select the automatic inserter according to criteria such as reliability, maintenance, stability, manipulation, economical efficiency and the like. Particularly, the reliability is an important criterion among the criteria. High accuracy and high productivity are considered as important factors.

Meanwhile, workers on the spot produce an inserting path by plotting work preparation time and work instruction table. Generally, this work is carried out by a skilled worker having much knowledge and experience with respect to equipment. However, the skilled worker still requires much time to accomplish this kind of work. Also this kind of work is difficult so the workers use a program for

producing the inserting path.

However, element-insert impossibility, which may occur on the PCB, should be considered when the elements are inserted into the PCB with the program for producing the inserting path. That is, a hole allotted to an element may exist out of the inserting area for an inserter.

Additionally, the interval between an inserted element and an element being inserted is less than a predetermined reference interval so that it is impossible to insert the element being inserted into the PCB.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION An object of this invention is to provide an insert- possible area tester and the method therefor for checking existence of an element allotted to a hole, which is located out of the insert-possible area of an inserter.

Another object of this invention is to provide an elements-interval tester and the method therefor for checking whether an interval between a selected element and another neighboring element is less than a predetermined reference interval.

To resolve the aforementioned objects, an element- insert possibility tester includes an input part in which CAD data, elements-related data, and control orders are inputted; an element-insert possibility tester in which the insert possibility of an element is checked by using the CAD data and the elements-related data; a data storing part in which the CAD data, the elements-related data, and result data are stored; a display part in which the CAD data, the elements-related data, the result data, and control selection bars are displayed; and a controller which controls the input part, the element-insert

possibility tester, and the data storing part. Here, the element-insert possibility tester includes an insert- possible area tester which checks whether a hole coordinate allotted to an element being inserted exists in the insert-possible area for an inserter or not, then the element being inserted is added to an element error list when the hole coordinate exists out of the insert-possible area; and an elements-interval tester which checks whether an interval between an element being inserted into a selected hole and a neighboring element being inserted into a neighboring hole, then the element being inserted is added to the element error list when the interval is less than the predetermined reference interval.

To resolve the aforementioned objects, the method for checking element-insert possibility includes a method for checking an element insert-possible area and a method for checking an elements-interval.

The method for checking an element-insert possibility area includes steps as forming a database produced from CAD data and elements-related data; comparing a hole coordinate with an insert-possible area, where the hole coordinate and the insert-possible area are selected from the database; and preventing an element allotted to the selected hole from being inserted, adding the allotted element to an element error list, and selecting a next element from the database when the hole coordinate exists out of the insert- possible area, but selecting the next element from the database when the hole coordinate exists in the insert- possible area.

The method for checking intervals among elements includes steps as forming a database produced from CAD data and elements-related data; selecting an element from the database, and making a masking area for the selected

element; detecting whether another hole allotted to another element exists on the masking area or not; selecting a next element when the other hole exists out of the masking area, but checking the interval between the selected element and the other element when the other hole exists in the masking area; and adding the selected element to the element error list, and selecting the next element from the database when the interval is less than the predetermined reference interval, but selecting the next element from the database when the interval is more than the predetermined reference interval.

By the aforementioned tester and the method therefor, an element allotted to a hole which exists out of the element-insert possibility area for an inserter is prevented from being inserted into the PCB in advance.

This operation prevents the PCB, or head of the inserter from being ruined. Also elements, interval of which is less than a predetermined reference interval, are prevented from being inserted into the PCB in advance. This operation may prevent overlap between the elements, and collision between the element and the head of the inserter.

Finally, the distribution of the elements may be revised in advance so that efficiency for inserting elements is enhanced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a constitution of an element-insert possibility tester, Fig. 2 is an outline view showing a control menu on the displayer shown in Fig .1, Figs. 3A and 3B are flow charts showing a method for checking an element insert-possible area,

Fig. 4 is an outline view showing an insert-possible area of an inserter and a coordinate for a hole; and Figs. 5A and 5B are flow charts showing a method for checking elements-interval.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT OF THE INVENTION Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the constitution of an element-insert possibility tester according to this invention. As shown in Fig. 1, the element-insert possibility tester has a controller 100, an input part 110, an optimum path generator 120, a store part 130, a data analyzer 140, a result file generator for transferring inserters 150, a displayer 160, an element distributor 170, and an element-insert possibility tester 180. The element- insert possibility tester 180 has an insert-possible area tester 181 and an elements-interval tester 183.

The controller 100 may be a personal computer (PC) compatible with an IBM PC, which is connected to the respective parts of the element-insert possibility tester.

The operations of the respective parts are as follows.

The controller 100 controls functions of the respective parts. Also, the controller 100 controls mutual operations among the respective parts.

The input part 110 inputs basic data with respect to elements, holes, inserters, and the like. Here, the basic data mean computer aided design (CAD) data, elements- related data, and the like. Also the input part 110 inputs various control orders.

The optimum path generator 120 produces an inserting path from the basic data. The inserting path is revised by revision data and revision control order.

The store part 130 stores the basic data, result data and the like.

The data analyzer 140 produces a database in which allotment among the basic data are established.

The result file generator for transferring inserters 150 produces the inserting sequence for the elements, coordinates, and directions for inserting the elements.

The displayer 160 is generally a monitor. The displayer 160 displays the basic data, various result data, control order bars, and the like. Fig. 2 is an outline view showing a control menu on the displayer 160 shown in Fig. 1. The control menu screen 200 includes an element distribution diagram 210, a pattern diagram 220, and order selection bars 230. The element distribution diagram 210 shows the way that the elements are distributed. The pattern diagram 220 shows the way that the elements are connected. The order selection bars 230 show bars for selecting various functions of the element-insert possibility tester.

The element distributor 170 allots the elements to appropriate inserters considering the balance between an axial inserter and another axial inserter, or between a radial inserter and another radial inserter.

The insert-possible area tester 181 checks whether a hole coordinate related with an element exists in the insert-possible area for an inserter or not. The hole is selected from the database. A next hole is selected from the database when the hole coordinate exists in the insert- possible area of the inserter. But the element is added to an error element list when the hole coordinate exists out of the insert-possible area of the inserter. This operation continues for all holes.

The elements-interval tester 183 checks the interval

between an element being inserted and a neighboring element related with a neighboring hole, and the interval between the element and the head of the inserter. The interval is compared with a predetermined reference interval. That is, the hole is selected from the database.

The element related to the hole is determined by the database. A masking area is set up according to the hole and the element. Whether another hole allotted to another element exists in the masking area or not is checked. A next hole is selected from the database when the other hole does not exist. When the other hole exists, an interval between the selected element and the other element is measured. When the interval is less than the predetermined reference interval, the selected element is added to the error element list. But, when the interval is more than the predetermined reference interval, the next hole is selected from the database.

Hereinafter, the method for checking element-insert possibility is described. The method for checking element- insert possibility includes the method for checking insert- possible area and the method for checking elements- interval.

Firstly, the method for checking insert-possible area is described. It is assumed that a database with regard to elements, inserters, holes, and the like is set. Figs. 3A and 3B are flow charts showing the method for checking insert-possible area. As shown in Figs. 3A and 3B, an inserter number which is outputted from the database is stored at an inserter buffer N S301. An insert-possible area for the inserter is set S303. Fig. 4 is an outline view showing an insert-possible area for the inserter and a coordinate for a hole . As shown in Fig. 4, the insert-

possible area is a rectangular area. The rectangular area is set by pointing out a corner coordinate Cl(X1, Y1) and an opposite corner coordinate C2(X2, Y2).

A first hole is selected from the database S305.

Whether the first hole exists or not is checked S307. When the first hole does not exist in the database because of bad construction of the database and the like, a data error message is displayed on the displayer 160 S308, and then this method ends.

However, when the first hole exists, the element number allotted to the first hole is stored at an element buffer P S309. Here, when the element does not exist in the database because of bad construction of the database and the like, a data error message is displayed on the displayer 160 S313, and then this method ends.

When the element exists, Whether the inserter number allotted to the element is N or not is checked S314. Here, when the inserter number is not N, data error message is displayed on the displayer 160 S313, and then this method ends.

However, when the inserter number is N, Whether the coordinate of the hole H(X3, Y3), which is shown in Fig.

4, exists in the insert-possible area or not is checked S315. Here, when the coordinate of the hole exists in the insert-possible area, a next hole is selected from the database S317. Whether the next hole exists in the database or not is checked S319. When the next hole exists in the database, the element number allotted to the next hole is stored at the element buffer P S309. Also steps after this step S309 are repeated. Otherwise, when the next hole does not exist, test-end message is displayed on the displayer 160 S320,and then this method ends.

Meanwhile, when the hole coordinate exists out of the

insert-possible area, the element is added to the element error list S316. Then, the next hole is selected from the database S317. Whether the next hole exists in the database or not is checked S319. When the next hole exists in the database, the element number allotted to the next hole is stored at the element buffer P S309. Also steps after this step S309 are repeated. Otherwise, when the next hole does not exist, test-end message is displayed on the displayer 160 S320, and then this method ends.

Secondly, the method for checking elements-interval is described. Figs. 5A and 5B are flow charts showing the method for checking elements-interval. As shown in Figs.

5A and 5B, a database is made from the CAD data, elements- related data, and the like S501. A start element and an end element are determined from the database. An inserting path is produced by the nearest neighbor path algorithm S503.

An element is selected from the database. The position of the element is checked S505. The pin of the element is numbered S507. Whether the pin number is 2 or not is checked S509. When the pin number is not 2, the next element is selected from the database. The position of the next element is checked S510. Then the pin number of the next element is checked S507.

However, when the pin number is 2, the hole position with regard to the element is checked. Then, a masking area with respect to the element is determined S511.

Whether another hole exists in the masking area or not is checked S513.

When another element related with the other hole exists out of the masking area, Whether all elements are checked or not is checked S514. At this time, when

elements remain, the next element is selected S510.

Otherwise when no element remains, the checking result is displayed on the displayer 160 S516. The checking result is stored at the storage part 130.

However, when the other element related with the other hole exists in the masking area, the interval between the selected element and the other element is measured 3515.

The interval is compared with a predetermined reference interval S517.

When the interval is more than the predetermined reference interval, Whether all elements are checked or not is checked S514. Then, steps after this step S514 are repeated. However, when the interval is less than the predetermined reference interval, elements-interval error message is displayed on the displayer 160. Also, the selected element is added to the element error list S519.

Whether all elements are checked or not is checked S514.

Then, steps after this step S514 are repeated.

By the aforementioned tester and the method therefor, an element allotted to a hole which exists out of the element-insert possibility area for an inserter is prevented from being inserted into the PCB in advance.

This operation prevents the PCB, or head of the inserter from being ruined. Also elements, an interval of which is less than a predetermined reference interval, are prevented from being inserted into the PCB in advance. This operation may prevent overlapping between the elements, and a collision between the element and the head of the inserter. Finally, the distribution of the elements may be revised in advance so that efficiency for inserting elements is enhanced.

While this invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the particular embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be effected therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.