Abstract: Depaneling systems are disclosed for liberating circuit boards from panels. A depaneling system of the invention includes a cutting apparatus adapted to cut circuit boards from a panel, and a fixture pallet adapted to support a panel of circuit boards for cutting by the cutting apparatus. The fixture pallet is also adapted to tilt toward an operator to allow the operator to register a panel on the fixture pallet.

Abstract: A depaneling system having multiple router stations. A feeder station in the dual routing station receives a panel from a feeder station. The feeder station then selectively delivers the panel to one of the router stations. The router station then severs all of the connections between the panel and the PC boards. The multiple router stations can also share a common router that is used by each station to sever the connections. In order to use a common router the router station have a movable receiving base which moves along a first axis. The router then moves along the second axis. The router and receiving base are then moved along the first and second axises independently to sever the connections.

Abstract: A system having improved cycle time for removing PC boards from a connected panel. In accordance with the present invention, a pair of walking clamps are used to receive a panel from a subsequent processing system, and a movable receiving nest is used to provide the PC boards to a subsequent processing station. The processes of receiving a panel, depaneling the PC board, and delivering the PC boards do not use common components and are able to operate independently and concurrently to reduce idle time in the system and improve the cycle time. The present invention also provides a secondary vacuums which removes debris from the PC boards as the PC boards are being transporting to a subsequent processing system to improve the removal of debris.

Abstract: Individual printed circuit boards are routed from a panel comprised of an array of printed circuit boards. The individual printed circuit boards are moved as a group, after being routed from the panel, to a registration nest for holding the individual printed circuit boards. The printed circuit boards rest in the registration nest until a subsequent processing station is ready to receive a printed circuit board. At the appropriate time, each printed circuit board is moved one at a time to a subsequent processing station. A second group of printed circuit boards is routed from a second panel while the first group of printed circuit boards rests in the registration nest and is moved one at a time to the subsequent processing station. A sensor reads features on the panel or on individual printed circuit boards and the routing program is modified or stopped in response to certain panel features.

Abstract: A fixturing pallet is removably registered on the table of a programmable routing machine and provides a platform to which tooling is registered and repositionably attached. The tooling is used according to registration, supporting, and routing requirements of each multi-board panel and its individual boards; and it serves to support and establish and maintain registration of each panel and/or board on the pallet during: (i) transporting of the multi-board panels from a load/unload station to the routing station, (ii) depaneling at the routing station, and (iii) transporting of liberated boards and scrap back to the load/unload station.

Abstract: Each board of a multi-board panel is gripped and registration is established by engagement with tooling of the transfer arm of an in-line machine in preparation for a routing process by which the boards are to be liberated from the panel (depaneled). The tooling supports each board and maintains registration therewith during liberation of the board from the multi-board panel and also during transfer of the liberated board to a selected one of several sites of a subsequent station via repositioning of the transfer arm. In one embodiment of the invention, registration is accomplished by inserting lengthwise-bifurcated locator pins into corresponding locator holes in the boards and expanding the bifurcated legs into locking engagement with the panel by longitudinal displacement of a tapered rod which is disposed between the legs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for handling multi-board panels in order to liberate therefrom individual circuit boards which may or may not have been prepopulated with the electrical components. Each panel is supported above a receiving tray on a top shuttle and transported from a load/unload station to a routing station at which tabs or webs which retain the circuit boards in the panel are removed. Removal of the boards is facilitated by X-positioning of the panel and Y-positioning of the router according to a programmable controller. The tray receives liberated boards from the top shuttle which is then cycled back to the load/unload station for unloading scrap, acquiring another tray, and reloading the shuttle with another multi-board panel. During subsequent translation of the loaded top shuttle to the routing station, a bottom shuttle transfers the first tray and liberated circuit boards to the load/unload station for unloading thereof.

Abstract: A manufacturing line along which PCB's are fed and operated on includes a processing fixture for receiving an individual board and displacing it clear of the line toward a router bit. The router bit is shiftable transverse of the line, and the processing fixture is shiftable parallel to the line and in an underlapping relation to adjacent stations so as to address the whole area of the board with the router bit without increasing the length of the manufacturing line.

Abstract: Routing a circuit board from the bottom side allows board removal from areas not generally accessible from the top side, such as board areas which are overhung by top side, such as board areas which are overhung by electrical connector "headers", as well as variable potentiometer and capacitor controls which may not be easily accessible from the top side. One embodiment combines such routing with shearing to merge their respective advantages.

Abstract: Routing a circuit board from the bottom side allows router access to areas not generally accessible from the top side, such as board areas which are overhung by electrical connector "headers", as well as variable potentiometer and capacitor controls which may not be easily accessible from the top side. One embodiment combines such routing with shearing to merge their respective advantages.

Abstract: The instant invention is particularly directed to a method and apparatus for automated handling of panels comprising a plurality of interconnected substrates in order to control and separate the circuit boards in a continuous processing line. One embodiment incorporates two shearing stations and a rotary transfer device therebetween in order to transfer a panel portion from the first station to the second station while controlling and rotating the panel for subsequent feed to the second station such that the panel portion is cut on a line of the substrate which is perpendicular to the original line of cut of the substrate. Throughout the handling of the panels and panel portions, sensing, gripping, and indexed feeding of the panels and panel portions are under the control of a programmable computer.

Abstract: The instant invention is particularly directed to a method and apparatus for automated handling of panels comprising a plurality of interconnected substrates in order to control and separate the circuit boards in a continuous processing line. One embodiment incorporates two shearing stations and a rotary transfer device therebetween in order to transfer a panel portion from the first station to the second station while controlling and rotating the panel for subsequent feed to the second station such that the panel portion is cut on a line of the substrate which is perpendicular to the original line of cut of the substrate. Throughout the handling of the panels and panel portions, sensing, gripping, and indexed feeding of the panels and panel portions are under the control of a programmable computer.