Abstract: A system and method for optimizing drill coordinates in a multi-layer printed circuit board, to correct for interlayer shift during lamination. A set of test patterns, in the form of a cross formed by two orthogonal conductor lines, are defined at each corner of each layer in the same nominal location. Under ideal conditions, the test patterns of the layers in each corner are lined up one above the other, without any offset. A counter sinking tool is used to cut a conical bore in the location of the test patterns, so that every test pattern cross is interrupted in four places, generating a four segment pattern in each layer. A high resolution camera is placed above the countersunk bore to form a single image of the exposed segment edges of all the test patterns exposed by the bore. The image is analyzed to determine the amount of shift of each layer. If all patterns are perfectly concentric, all crosses are perfectly aligned.

Abstract: A router for separating individual component mounted printed circuit boards from a panel consists of a routing machine and programmed control console which controls movement of a spindle assemblage in the routing machine in the Z direction and a table carrying the panel in the X and Y directions. A pressure foot housing, which encompasses the rotatable spindle nose of the spindle assemblage, has a rectangular brush at its end which presses against the panel to be cut by a routing bit. A vacuum exhaust system is attached to an angled port in the housing. The geometry of the housing area causes a vortex to be produced which sucks up all debris cut by the routing bit to the port to be exhausted from the housing.