Abstract: System and corresponding method for plotting an image on a thin material having variations in thickness. System (40) includes: a plotter unit (46), for plotting the image on a surface (48) of thin material (42); a control unit (50), for controlling plotter unit (46), for effecting the plotting; and a thickness measuring device (52), for measuring thickness (44) of thin material (42). Control unit (50) receives measured thickness values from thickness measuring device (52), and uses measured thickness values for adjusting plotting of the image via plotter unit (46), to compensate for variations in thickness (44) of thin material (42).

Abstract: A method for aligning an image to be recorded by a direct image scanner on an upper layer of a printed circuit board with an image recorded on a lower layer thereof, the method comprising: visually imaging a portion of the image on the lower layer; and recording a pattern on the upper layer, referenced to coordinates of the visual image of the portion.

Abstract: A method for aligning an image to be recorded by a direct image scanner on an upper layer of a printed circuit board with an image recorded on a lower layer thereof, the method comprising: visually imaging a portion of the image on the lower layer; and recording a pattern on the upper layer, referenced to coordinates of the visual image of the portion.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for calibrating a camera used in a scanner for scanning images onto a printed circuit board. The calibration method determines a transformation between the camera and the scanner by writing a pattern on a photosensitized substrate using the scanner, where the pattern is visible without development, and using the camera to image the pattern, from which a transformation between the imager and scanner coordinate systems is determined.

Abstract: A method for aligning an image to be recorded by a direct image scanner on an upper layer of a printed circuit board with an image recorded on a lower layer thereof, the method comprising:

Abstract: A method for aligning an image to be recorded by a direct image scanner on an upper layer of a printed circuit board with an image recorded on a lower layer thereof, the method comprising:

Abstract: A method for calibrating a microstep motor comprising a step motor having a plurality of stator coils, a pair of drivers for applying respective driving voltages to the stator coils. Amplitude adjustment means are coupled to each of the drivers for adjusting the amplitudes of the respective driving voltages and offset adjustment means are coupled to each of the drivers for adjusting the d.c. offsets of the respective driving voltages. The method permits compensation for non-linearities associated with the stator coils, and comprises the steps of adjusting at least one of the amplitude adjustment means a predetermined amount, so as to produce a signal having a specified amplitude, measuring an imbalance of the motor, adjusting the offset and amplitude adjustment means as required in order to reduce the measured imbalance, and iteratively repeating the offset and amplitude adjustments as required until no further reduction in the measured imbalance is possible.