Abstract: A positioning system for positioning a positioning unit along a longitudinal axis includes: a linear guide arrangement for enabling a linearly guided motion parallel to the axis; a motor includes a moving motor member operatively connected to the linear guide arrangement and an elongated stationary motor member extending parallel to the axis; and a force transmission arrangement operatively connecting the moving motor member to the positioning unit, wherein the force transmission arrangement is arranged to provide a semi-rigid engagement between the positioning unit and the moving motor member, wherein the positioning unit and the moving motor member, respectively, are operatively connected to the linear guide arrangement by at least two guide engaging carriages, and wherein the positioning unit is attached to the guide engaging carriages by rigid or resilient positioning unit holders.

Abstract: A jetting apparatus for jetting droplets of viscous medium onto a substrate and a method of improving the performance of the jetting apparatus are provided. The jetting apparatus includes a jetting outlet through which the droplets are jetted, a flow generator for producing a flow of air past the jetting outlet for removing viscous medium residue at the jetting outlet, a receptacle for receiving viscous medium residue transported by the air flow away from the jetting outlet, and a flow path for the air flow between the jetting outlet and the flow generator, via the receptacle. A flow sensor is arranged in the flow path for measuring the air flow. An air flow signal representative of the air flow is obtained, the air flow signal is evaluated for determining at least one status of the jetting apparatus, and an indication of the status is provided.

Abstract: A positioning system for positioning a positioning unit along a longitudinal axis includes: a linear guide arrangement for enabling a linearly guided motion parallel to the axis; a motor includes a moving motor member operatively connected to the linear guide arrangement and an elongated stationary motor member extending parallel to the axis; and a force transmission arrangement operatively connecting the moving motor member to the positioning unit, wherein the force transmission arrangement is arranged to provide a semi-rigid engagement between the positioning unit and the moving motor member, wherein the positioning unit and the moving motor member, respectively, are operatively connected to the linear guide arrangement by at least two guide engaging carriages, and wherein the positioning unit is attached to the guide engaging carriages by rigid or resilient positioning unit holders.

Abstract: This invention relates to a positioning system for positioning a positioning unit along a longitudinal axis. The positioning system comprises a linear guide arrangement for enabling a linearly guided motion parallel to said axis, wherein the positioning unit is operatively connected to said guide arrangement. Furthermore, the positioning system comprises a motor, wherein the motor comprises a moving motor member operatively connected to said linear guide arrangement and an elongated stationary motor member extending parallel to said axis. The moving motor member is adapted to move along the stationary motor member for providing motion parallel to said axis. Moreover, the positioning system further comprises a force transmission arrangement which operatively connects said moving motor member to the positioning unit. The force transmission arrangement is arranged to provide an engagement between said positioning unit and said moving motor.

Abstract: A component tube holding arrangement for holding one or more component tubes and for vibratory feeding of components in a picking position in a component mounting machine, as well as a combination of such a component tube holding arrangement and a vibratory feed magazine. The arrangement comprises a support surface for supporting component tubes, a reception portion for receiving component tubes, and at least one component stop at the reception portion defining a picking position for fed components. The arrangement also comprises identification means holding information of the identity of the arrangement. The arrangement is further arranged to be releasably mountable in a component mounting machine or in a vibratory feed magazine arranged to be loaded into the component mounting machine. The component tube holding arrangement lacks component feeding means and is arranged for allowing vibratory feeding means provided in the magazine.

Abstract: A method and a system for jetting droplets of viscous medium, such as solder paste, onto a substrate, such as an electronic circuit board. The volume of the droplets are adjusted by regulating the amount of viscous medium that is fed into a jetting nozzle for subsequent jetting of the viscous medium droplets therefrom. The exit velocity of the jetted droplets is adjusted or maintained substantially constant by regulating the velocity with which the viscous medium is impacted. Furthermore, the rate at which viscous medium is fed, for instance by a feed screw, into the nozzle is adjusted in order to regulate the feeding time required for feeding the viscous medium into the jetting nozzle, for instance in order to maintain a constant feeding time.

Abstract: This invention relates to a positioning system for positioning a positioning unit along a longitudinal axis. The positioning system comprises a linear guide arrangement for enabling a linearly guided motion parallel to said axis, wherein the positioning unit is operatively connected to said guide arrangement. Furthermore, the positioning system comprises a motor, wherein the motor comprises a moving motor member operatively connected to said linear guide arrangement and an elongated stationary motor member extending parallel to said axis. The moving motor member is adapted to move along the stationary motor member for providing motion parallel to said axis. Moreover, the positioning system further comprises a force transmission arrangement which operatively connects said moving motor member to the positioning unit. The force transmission arrangement is arranged to provide an engagement between said positioning unit and said moving motor.

Abstract: A mechanical interface for transferring a reciprocating movement from one element to another element releasably mountable thereto. The interface comprises at least three interface points, at least two of which being laterally spaced apart, and at least two of which being longitudinally spaced apart. A motion generator provides a reciprocating movement, which is transferred from the one element to the other element via at least one of the interface points. The interface point(s) transferring the movement includes contact portions having curved contact surfaces, such that the curved contact surfaces are in abutment with opposing contact surfaces of the interface point when the elements are mounted, thereby transferring the reciprocating movement.

Abstract: Solder paste application, inspection and correction. Following or during application of solder paste on a substrate, the result thereof is inspected and any detected errors are registered. Following an evaluation as to whether correction of these errors is required and if it would be worthwhile, the errors are corrected. The correction involves removing solder paste from locations where so required, and jetting of additional solder paste to locations where so required.

Abstract: A method for generating data for a jetting program, includes the steps of: a) obtaining substrate data for a substrate, which is to be provided with deposits and components; and b) for each component which is to be placed on the substrate: —fetching component data for the component from said substrate data; and—selecting a matching predefined deposit pattern, comprising at least one deposit, which matches a desired deposit pattern for said component data, wherein the deposit pattern comprises, for the/each deposit, deposit data comprising deposit extension and deposit position; or—if no matching predefined deposit pattern exists, defining a deposit pattern, comprising at least one deposit, for the component data, comprising the step of defining, for the/each deposit, deposit data, which step comprises determining deposit extension and deposit position.

Abstract: A method and a system for jetting droplets of viscous medium, such as solder paste, onto a substrate, such as an electronic circuit board. The volume of the droplets are adjusted by regulating the amount of viscous medium that is fed into a jetting nozzle for subsequent jetting of the viscous medium droplets therefrom. The exit velocity of the jetted droplets is adjusted or maintained substantially constant by regulating the velocity with which the viscous medium is impacted. Furthermore, the rate at which viscous medium is fed, for instance by a feed screw, into the nozzle is adjusted in order to regulate the feeding time required for feeding the viscous medium into the jetting nozzle, for instance in order to maintain a constant feeding time.

Abstract: A method of self calibrating a positioning system, by positioning a reference device provided with reference markings at different calibration locations, and sensing the positions of the reference markings at each calibration location, is provided. The calibration parameters are selected such that differences in relative positions of the sensed locations, expressed in actual coordinates for different calibration locations are reduced or preferably minimized.

Abstract: A method and a system for jetting droplets of viscous medium, such as solder paste, onto a substrate, such as an electronic circuit board. The volume of the droplets are adjusted by regulating the amount of viscous medium that is fed into a jetting nozzle for subsequent jetting of the viscous medium droplets therefrom. The exit velocity of the jetted droplets is adjusted or maintained substantially constant by regulating the velocity with which the viscous medium is impacted. Furthermore, the rate at which viscous medium is fed, for instance by a feed screw, into the nozzle is adjusted in order to regulate the feeding time required for feeding the viscous medium into the jetting nozzle, for instance in order to maintain a constant feeding time.

Abstract: A method of applying viscous medium on a substrate that is arranged for mounting of components includes providing the substrate arranged for mounting of electronic components thereon and screen printing predetermined amounts of a viscous medium on predetermined positions on the substrate. In addition, the method includes add-on jetting of predetermined additional amounts of viscous medium on predetermined positions on the screen printed substrate. The add-on jetting is non-contact dispensing and the add-on jetting viscous medium is still in viscous form during the add-on jetting.

Abstract: A mechanical interface for transferring a reciprocating movement from one element to another element releasably mountable thereto. The interface comprises at least three interface points, at least two of which being laterally spaced apart, and at least two of which being longitudinally spaced apart. Motion means provides a reciprocating movement, which is transferred from the one element to the other element via at least one of the interface points. The interface point(s) transferring the movement comprises contact portions having curved contact surfaces, such that the curved contact surfaces are in abutment with opposing contact surfaces of the interface point when the elements are mounted, thereby transferring the reciprocating movement.

Abstract: A method of exposing components, which are carried by a carrier tape (2), arranged in sequence along the carrier tape (2) and covered by a cover (3). The cover is attached to the carrier tape having a lower surface facing the sequence of components. The method is performed by, while feeding the carrier tape towards the picking position, separating a first portion of the cover from a first portion (31) of the carrier tape. Thereafter, guiding a thus loosened portion of the cover towards the second side of the carrier tape. Performing said guiding such that before reaching the picking position, while being raised to an upright position, the cover is automatically gathered by being folded, so that at least two portions of the lower surface of the cover face each other, thereby reducing the height of the cover.

Abstract: A component tube holding arrangement for holding one or more component tubes and for vibratory feeding of components in a picking position in a component mounting machine, as well as a combination of such a component tube holding arrangement and a vibratory feed magazine. The arrangement comprises a support surface for supporting component tubes, a reception portion for receiving component tubes, and at least one component stop at the reception portion defining a picking position for fed components. The arrangement also comprises identification means holding information of the identity of the arrangement. The arrangement is further arranged to be releasably mountable in a component mounting machine or in a vibratory feed magazine arranged to be loaded into the component mounting machine.

Abstract: A viscous medium feeder, which has an inlet, an outlet, a tubular portion, a rotatable cylindrical shaft arranged in and extending coaxially with the tubular portion, and a drive motor connected to the shaft. The tubular portion has an internal thread, which is connected, at one end thereof, to the inlet, and, at the other end thereof, to the outlet. Further, the tubular portion is elastic, and the shaft abuts the inner wall portions of the tubular portion.

Abstract: The present invention is generally related to a jetting device for jetting droplets of viscous medium onto a substrate, said jetting device comprising an ejector element for performing the jetting process and a jetting outlet through which said droplets are jetted. In particular, the invention is related to a method, a measuring device, a jetting device, and a viscous medium container for use in such a jetting device for measuring or monitoring a level or volume of viscous medium during a jetting process and/or measuring electrical properties of the viscous medium to determine characteristics of the medium.

Abstract: The invention relates to the screen printing of viscous medium onto a substrate and the subsequent application of additional viscous medium through jetting.