Swift perspective shape matching algorithm based on Phong’s model for FPC stiffener bonding systems

Purpose – This paper aims to solve the issue of target positioning in auto stiffener bonder (ASB) systems for flexible printed circuits. Design/methodology/approach – The proposed approach uses Phong’s bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) model to simulate the reflection of light off a target in ASB systems to predict the current pose of the target based on image brightness, update the template, decrease the initial errors in the template and narrow down the search range. Findings – The experimental results indicate that the proposed approach can predict the inclination angle of the target with precision, presenting angle prediction errors of less than three degrees. Furthermore, with larger inclined angles, the overall matching errors were less than 1.5 pixels. Comparisons with the unmodified matching algorithm revealed that the proposed approach resulted in 65 per cent less calculation time for the algorithm and 14 per cent higher overall work efficiency in the ASB system. Originality/...