Abstract: Jetting devices and methods for dispensing a fluid material from a fluid supply. A jetting device includes a fluid module configured to be coupled with the fluid supply and to dispense the fluid material. The fluid module includes a valve seat and a valve element configured to move relative to the valve seat over a stroke length, and a valve stop configured to position the valve element relative to the valve seat for determining the stroke length. The jetting device further includes a drive module configured to actuate the fluid module and includes a drive pin configured to move the valve element toward the valve seat. The drive pin is configured to be rotated to cause rotation of the valve stop for adjustment of the stroke length. The drive pin may be rotated by a rotation device comprising a motor.

Abstract: Jetting devices and methods for dispensing a fluid material from a fluid supply. A jetting device includes a fluid module configured to be coupled with the fluid supply and to dispense the fluid material. The fluid module includes a valve seat and a valve element configured to move relative to the valve seat over a stroke length, and a valve stop configured to position the valve element relative to the valve seat for determining the stroke length. The jetting device further includes a drive module configured to actuate the fluid module and includes a drive pin configured to move the valve element toward the valve seat. The drive pin is configured to be rotated to cause rotation of the valve stop for adjustment of the stroke length. The drive pin may be rotated by a rotation device comprising a motor.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for heating of one or more substrates with a plurality of independently controllable heating zones. Pressurized air is provided to each of a plurality of independently controlled heater blocks each including a heating element. The pressurized air is heated in the heater blocks and discharged towards one or more regions of the one or more substrates. The amount of power provided to the heating element in one of the heating blocks may be adjusted relative to the amount of power provided to the heating element in another of the heating blocks. The temperature of one heating zone may thereby be adjusted relative to other heating zones so that the temperature of different heating zones for the one or more substrates may be independently controlled. Heated air may be recovered from the heating zones and recycled. The pressurized air may be preheated by passing through a lift plate.

Abstract: Jetting devices and methods for dispensing a fluid material from a fluid supply. A jetting device includes a fluid module configured to be coupled with the fluid supply and to dispense the fluid material. The fluid module includes a valve seat and a valve element configured to move relative to the valve seat over a stroke length, and a valve stop configured to position the valve element relative to the valve seat for determining the stroke length. The jetting device further includes a drive module configured to actuate the fluid module and includes a drive pin configured to move the valve element toward the valve seat. The drive pin is configured to be rotated to cause rotation of the valve stop for adjustment of the stroke length. The drive pin may be rotated by a rotation device comprising a motor.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for heating of one or more substrates with a plurality of independently controllable heating zones. Pressurized air is provided to each of a plurality of independently controlled heater blocks each including a heating element. The pressurized air is heated in the heater blocks and discharged towards one or more regions of the one or more substrates. The amount of power provided to the heating element in one of the heating blocks may be adjusted relative to the amount of power provided to the heating element in another of the heating blocks. The temperature of one heating zone may thereby be adjusted relative to other heating zones so that the temperature of different heating zones for the one or more substrates may be independently controlled. Heated air may be recovered from the heating zones and recycled. The pressurized air may be preheated by passing through a lift plate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for operating a laser output light beam pulse line narrowing mechanism that may comprise a nominal center wavelength and bandwidth selection optic; a static wavefront compensation mechanism shaping the curvature of the selection optic; an active wavefront compensation mechanism shaping the curvature of the selection optic and operating independently of the static wavefront compensation mechanism. The method and apparatus may comprise the nominal center wavelength and bandwidth selection optic comprises a grating; the static wavefront compensation mechanism applies a pre-selected bending moment to the grating; the active wavefront compensation mechanism applies a separate selected bending moment to the grating responsive to the control of a bending moment controller based on bandwidth feedback from a bandwidth monitor monitoring the bandwidth of the laser output light beam pulses. The active wavefront compensation mechanism may comprise a pneumatic drive mechanism.

Abstract: A mounting method and system are disclosed for a mounting device for a piece of equipment having an accessory receptacle. The mounting device may include at least two arms connected together providing at least two rotation axes, a mounting stud for mating with the accessory receptacle and connected to one of the two arms providing at least one rotation axis, and a mount for mating with an accessory of the equipment and connected to the other one of the two arms providing at least two rotation axes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for operating a laser output light beam pulse line narrowing mechanism that may comprise a nominal center wavelength and bandwidth selection optic; a static wavefront compensation mechanism shaping the curvature of the selection optic; an active wavefront compensation mechanism shaping the curvature of the selection optic and operating independently of the static wavefront compensation mechanism. The method and apparatus may comprise the nominal center wavelength and bandwidth selection optic comprises a grating; the static wavefront compensation mechanism applies a pre-selected bending moment to the grating; the active wavefront compensation mechanism applies a separate selected bending moment to the grating responsive to the control of a bending moment controller based on bandwidth feedback from a bandwidth monitor monitoring the bandwidth of the laser output light beam pulses. The active wavefront compensation mechanism may comprise a pneumatic drive mechanism.

Abstract: A computer controlled method for high speed viscous fluid dispensing includes the steps of providing a dot generator and moving the dot generator along at least X and Y axes. The dot generator is controlled to repeatedly eject jets of viscous fluid that break away from the dot generator as a result of their forward momentum and fly to the surface of an adjacent substrate to create dots. The method may further comprise the step of monitoring the size and location of the dots through a vision system. The method may further comprise the steps of assigning dot sizes to specific components based on user specifications or a component library. The method may further comprise the step of optimizing the dot placement paths by aligning the in-line points of dot formation.

Abstract: A computer controlled system for high speed surface mount adhesive placement in circuit board production includes a dot generator supported for motion along the X, Y and Z axes. The dot generator ejects a jet of viscous adhesive that breaks away from the nozzle of the dot generator as a result of its own forward momentum. The system includes an automatic circuit board conveyor with adjustable width and pneumatically operated lift and lock mechanisms. The system runs through a self-diagnostic set-up procedure and dot calibration routine. Dot size and location are monitored through a video camera and vision circuit. A computer interfaces with the vision circuit and with motion, dot generator and conveyor controllers so that the system can operate in a high volume production assembly line. Application programs are executed by the system computer typically utilizing CAD data from a disk or a computer integrated manufacturing (CIM) controller.