Workpiece moving methods

• US 6,405,430 B1
• Filed: 10/14/1999
• Issued: 06/18/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: Weyerman, Morley J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Arbes, Carl J.
• Application Number:
  US09/418,090
• Time in Patent Office: 978 Days
• Field of Search: 298/25, 298/27, 295/646, 295/663, 298/83
• US Class Current: 29/827
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 13/0092 Treatment of the terminal leads as a separate operation during transport H05K13/0076, H05K13/023; during mounting H05K13/04
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49121 Beam lead frame or beam lead device
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4914 with deforming of lead or terminal
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49156 with selective destruction of conductive paths
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49181 by deforming
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49218 with deforming
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4922 with molding of insulation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/5136 Separate tool stations for selective or successive operation on work
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/5137 including assembling or disassembling station
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/5138 and means to machine work part to fit cooperating work part
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/5139 and means to sever work prior to disassembling
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/5142 and means to sever work from supply
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/5147 including composite tool
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/5148 including severing means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/5149 to sever electric terminal from supply strip
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/515 to trim electric component
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/5317 Laminated device
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53174 Means to fasten electrical component to wiring board, base, or substrate
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53183 Multilead component
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53209 : Terminal or connector
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53265 : with work-holder for assembly
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/04 : Processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/222 : With receptacle or support for cut product

Abstract

A method for moving a workpiece having a first plurality of alignment features and a second plurality of alignment features. The method comprises attaching the workpiece to a workpiece advancer using at least a portion of the first alignment features such that the workpiece can move incrementally relative to the workpiece advancer. The method also includes shifting the workpiece using the workpiece advancer.

Claims

1. A method for moving a workpiece having a first plurality of alignment features and a second plurality of alignment features, the method comprising:

attaching said workpiece to a workpiece advancer using at least a portion of said first alignment features such that the workpiece can move incrementally relative to said workpiece advancer; and

shifting said workpiece using said workpiece advancer.

2. The method in claim 1, wherein said attaching comprises attaching said workpiece to said workpiece advancer using at most half of all of first plurality of said alignment features along an entire length of said workpiece.

3. The method in claim 1, wherein said attaching comprises attaching said workpiece to said workpiece advancer using a first half of said first plurality of alignment features lined along a first edge of said workpiece.

4. The method in claim 3, further comprising aligning a tool with said workpiece using at least a portion of the second plurality of said alignment features lined along a second edge of said workpiece.

5. The method in claim 4, wherein said shifting comprises shifting said second edge through a track.

6. The method in claim 1, wherein said attaching comprises attaching a lead frame strip to a pin on a belt through an alignment hole defined by said lead frame strip.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

aligning said workpiece using a corresponding portion of said second alignment features without disengaging the workpiece from the workpiece advancer.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said attaching comprises suspending the workpiece from the workpiece advancer.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein said suspending comprises hanging the workpiece from a plurality of protrusions on the workpiece advancer.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said hanging comprises inserting pins protruding from the workpiece advancer into corresponding holes in the workpiece such that at least a portion of the workpiece is suspended from the pins.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising supporting another portion of the workpiece on a track located adjacent to the workpiece advancer.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein said shifting comprises moving the workpiece advancer in an orbit.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein said moving comprises:

supporting an endless workpiece advancer on at least a pair of rotatable support members; and

rotating at least one of the rotatable support members to drive the endless workpiece advancer in the orbit.

14. The method of claim 1 further comprising performing a tooling function on the workpiece after said shifting.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein said performing comprises trimming material from the workpiece.

16. A method for moving a workpiece defining at least two alignment features comprising:

inserting a plurality of alignment holes in the workpiece onto corresponding protrusions on an endless belt; and

rotating the endless belt a predetermined distance along an orbital path.

17. The method of claim 16 comprising supporting another portion of the workpiece on a track located adjacent to the endless belt.

18. The method of claim 16 further comprising performing a tooling function on the workpiece after said rotating.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein said performing comprises trimming material from the workpiece.