Abstract: A fixture includes at least one first plate having a plurality of holes formed therethrough. At least one second plate has a plurality of holes formed therethrough in alignment with the holes in the first plate. At least some of the holes in the second plate have at least one indentation formed therein in a radial direction. The second plate is aligned parallel to the first plate and is moveable along an axis from an open position where the holes in the plates are axially aligned to a locked position where the first and second holes are offset. A plurality of pins have diameters less than the and holes. Each pin has at least one region extending outwardly in a radial direction and is configured to mate with the at least one indentation in the second holes. Each pin passes through different ones of the aligned holes.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus that supports substrates that requires no locking of the support members as the support members move up and down and conform to the underside topography of the substrate. The apparatus is especially suited for underside support of printed circuit boards during assembly processes for printing, pick-and-place operations and automated inspection for surface mount style substrates.

Abstract: An improved vacuum box assembly for use in printed circuit board manufacturing where the printed circuit board is supported during manufacturing operations on the second side of the board. The vacuum box uses a unique and improved side plate that securely retains commercially available substrate support devices within the vacuum box. The side plate has a retention cavity configured to receive one or more substrate support devices therein. The side plate retains the substrate support device in a desired position. Open or unoccupied regions of the retention cavity may be sealed by use of specifically configured vacuum blocking plates.

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.

Abstract: An improved substrate support system for clamping spring loaded pins that support substrates, such as printed circuit boards, which have even profiles, and uneven profiles due to components being installed on one side during manufacturing operations to the opposite side of the substrate. The substrate support system can utilize a cam lever, a knob, or a draw latch to move a clamping plate between an aligned position and a clamping position.

Abstract: An adjustable tooling pin assembly for precisely positioning printed circuit boards having different diameter and spacing of tooling alignment holes with different series of boards. Two support bodies are positioned along a base at the approximate location of spaced tooling holes. One support body carries an upwardly extending tooling pin with a diameter smaller than the tooling hole. The other support body carries two upwardly extending, adjacent, thin tooling pins, one of which is fixed to the support body and the other fastened to a block slidable in a channel in the support body, to move the movable pin relative to the fixed pin. The board holes are placed over the pins, the support bodies are secured to the base with the outermost tooling pins engaging the outer hole edges. The movable pin is moved away from the adjacent fixed pin by rotating a threaded rod extending though the support block to move the movable pin into contact with the tool hole edge opposite the fixed pin edge.