ADJUSTABLE SUPPORT TOOLING APPARATUS

• US 20090295053A1
• Filed: 05/28/2009
• Published: 12/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Production Solutions, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Production Solutions, Inc.
• Inventors: Gordon, Thomas A., Farlow, Douglas T.
• Granted Patent: US 8,505,178 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 269/50
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 13/0069 Holders for printed circuit boards
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4913 Assembling to base an electrical component, e.g., capacitor, etc.
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49998 Work holding
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53961 with work-holder for assembly

Abstract

A system and method for manufacturing that provides for adjustable support of work pieces such as printed circuit boards includes an edge rail system having first and second edge rails, with at least one of the edge rails being adjustable, allowing the width of the system to be adjusted to accommodate various widths of work pieces. It also includes a set of support strips for supporting a lower side of the work pieces and a means for dynamically adjusting spacing of support strips to adjust to the width of the edge rail system.

Claims

1. A system for manufacturing that dynamically provides adjustable support for work pieces comprising:

an edge rail system having a first edge rail and a second edge rail, wherein the second edge rail is adjustable, allowing a width of the edge rail system to be adjusted to accommodate various widths of work pieces;

a set of support strips comprising at least one support strip for supporting a lower side of work pieces;

a means for dynamically adjusting a spacing of at least one of the set of support strips to compensate for adjustments to the width of the edge rail system.

2. The system in claim 1 wherein:

the set of support strips are mounted on a table capable of dynamically changing height.

3. The system in claim 1 wherein:

the first edge rail is fixed, while the second edge rail is adjustable;

a first support strip is a first one of the set of support strips that is effectively fixed in the Y direction in relation to the first edge rail;

a second support strip is a second one of the set of support strips that is effectively fixed in the Y direction in relation to the second edge rail; and

the second support strip dynamically adjusts in relation to the first support strip as a distance between the second edge rail and the first edge rail changes.

4. The system in claim 3 wherein:

the set of support strips are capable of dynamically adjusting to a bottom topography of the work pieces.

5. The system in claim 3 wherein:

the means for dynamically adjusting the spacing of at least two of the plurality of support strips is a scissors pallet.

6. The system in claim 5 wherein:

the scissors pallet comprises a plurality of islands, wherein the plurality of islands comprises;

a first island on which the first support strip may be mounted;

a second island on which the second support strip may be mounted, and

a third island located between the first island and the second island on which a third support strip that is a third one of the set of support strips may be mounted.

7. The system in claim 6 wherein:

the set of support strips are removably mounted on pins located on the plurality of islands.

8. The system in claim 3 wherein:

a third support strip that is a third one of the set of support strips is located between the first support strip and the second support strip; and

a position of the third support strip is dynamically adjustable in relation to the first support strip and the second support strip.

9. The system in claim 8 wherein:

the dynamic adjustment of the third support strip utilizes at least one of a set consisting of a screw drive and a geared rack.

10. The system in claim 1 wherein:

the work pieces are printed circuit boards, and

the system comprises at least one operation from a set consisting of;

substrate printing; and

pick and place.

11. A method of manufacturing that dynamically provides adjustable support for work pieces comprising:

providing an edge rail system having a first edge rail and a second edge rail, wherein the second edge rail is adjustable, allowing a width of the edge rail system to be adjusted to accommodate various widths of work pieces;

providing a set of support strips comprising at least one support strip for supporting a lower side of work pieces; and

dynamically adjusting a spacing of at least one of the set of support strips to compensate for adjustments to the width of the edge rail system.

12. The method in claim 11 wherein:

the set of support strips are mounted on a table capable of dynamically changing height.

13. The method in claim 11 wherein:

the first edge rail is fixed, while the second edge rail is adjustable;

a first support strip is a first one of the set of support strips that is effectively fixed in the Y direction in relation to the first edge rail;

a second support strip is a second one of the set of support strips that is effectively fixed in the Y direction in relation to the second edge rail; and

the second support strip dynamically adjusts in relation to the first support strip as a distance between the second edge rail and the first edge rail changes.

14. The method in claim 13 wherein the method further comprises:

dynamically adjusting the set of support strips to a bottom topography of the work pieces.

15. The system in claim 13 wherein:

the dynamically adjusting the spacing of at least two of the set of support strips utilizes a scissors pallet.

16. The method in claim 15 wherein:

mounting the first support strip on a first one of a plurality of islands of the scissors pallet;

mounting the second support strip on a second one of the plurality of islands; and

mounting a third support strip which a third one of the set of support strips on a third one of the plurality of islands.

17. The method in claim 16 wherein:

the set of support strips are removably mounted on pins located on the plurality of islands.

18. The method in claim 13 wherein the method further comprises:

dynamically adjusting a position of a third support strip that is a third one of the set of support strips located between the first support strip and the second support strip in relation to the first support strip and the second support strip.

19. The method in claim 18 wherein:

the dynamic adjusting of the third support strip utilizes at least one of a set consisting of a screw drive and a geared rack.

20. The method in claim 11 wherein:

the work pieces are printed circuit boards, and

the method further comprises at least one operation from a set consisting of;

substrate printing; and

pick and place.