Abstract: This invention relates to using mid-infrared high-power pulsed laser radiation sources for drilling high-quality microvia interconnection holes in printed circuit (wiring) boards and other electrical circuit packages.

Abstract: Drilling apparatus includes a stationary support base and a worktable mounted to the support base for movement in a Y direction. At least one tooling plate is movably mounted to the support base for movement in the Y direction and is adapted to support the panel shaped workpiece thereon. At least one tooling element is mounted for movement in X and Z directions in relation to the tooling plate for machining contact with the panel. Coordinated movement of the tooling element in the X direction with movement of the worktable in the Y direction enables a predetermined pattern of holes to be drilled into one end of the panel. Following this coordinated drilling movement, the worktable is maintained in a stationary position while the tooling plate shuttles from a first position to a second position in the Y direction to move the panel and expose the other end portion to subsequent coordinated X and Y movement of the tooling element and worktable to drill a further predetermined hole pattern into the panel.

Abstract: The control of output power of a laser beam generated by a laser system is accomplished on a tool by tool basis, using a position setting of an optical attenuator in conjunction with a repetition rate parameter of the laser beam. Two tables of data points representative of output power of the laser beam as a function of laser frequency and attenuation are generated. A scale factor is determined based on one of the tables, and is used to scale data stored in the other. The scaled data is then used to determine settings necessary to obtain the required output power of the laser beam. The tables are configured to have increased granularity around maximum usage region of the laser frequency and attenuation working range. As a result, the process can be done with high accuracy and within a reasonable time.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for exact positioning of a printed circuit board to be drilled utilizing a camera vision system. The fiducial is formed in a semi-opaque area of the circuit board panel that is free of copper or other metallic layer material on top and bottom surfaces thereof, enabling light to be directed upwardly through a transparent surface area of a vacuum chuck on which the panel is disposed. In this manner, the outline of the fiducial is silhouetted through this back lighted arrangement so that the camera vision system can easily ‘see’ the fiducial to communicate the precise location of the circuit board and enable movement of the vacuum chuck in X and Y directions to effect the desired precise drilling at predetermined locations on the panel.

Abstract: An automatic registration system to be used with a drilling machine that automatic loads PCBs by pushing PCBs from a cart or similar carrier onto the tooling plate for drilling and other operations. The automatic registration system includes at least a tooling plate having an angled slot, a main slot, a registration block, and a pin clamp. The angled slot allows the first registration pin of the PCB to bypass the registration block without requiring the registration block to move out of the way. The pin clamp slides across the angled slot thereby clamping the second registration pin of the PCB against the registration block. The PCB is then registered to the drilling machine and drilling or other operations can take place.

Abstract: In a thermal equalization system a machine tool carriage preferably of aluminum but which could be made of other lightweight materials, a drilling spindle housing is mounted on the carriage. At least one spindle housing is be mounted said carriage to service work pieces mounted on a tooling plate of the work table for said spindle. The chiller unit is used to provide coolant to the spindle to compensate for the heat generated by the spindle during drilling. When the spindle is not drilling, excessive cooling of the spindle can result. Accordingly, the instant invention also includes, a conductive rubber heating pad which is attached to the spindle structure to provide a heat source for the system to compensate for excessive cooling when the drill is not generating heat. The temperature control maintains the temperature between the spindle housing, carriage and work table thereby minimizing temperature expansion differentials between the drilling position and the worktable position.

Abstract: In a tool changer system comprising one or more tool grippers together with a pressure foot insert change pod supported on a U-V slide which is independent of the machine work table. The slide services a tool magazine mounted on the machine tool in close proximity to the work table. Because the tool changer is independent of the machine table, the selection and retrieval of the next tool to be used is performed while the machine tool is working in a work cycle. Similarly, the replacement of the used tool back into its storage location is also performed while the machine tool is working. Exchange of the pressure foot insert is also done as part of the tool change process in part during the tool change work cycle. Time is saved because the machine tool work need not be interrupted and the machine tool table need not be moved to accommodate the tool change.

Abstract: In a tool changer system comprising one or more tool grippers together with a pressure foot insert change pod supported on a U-V slide which is independent of the machine work table. The slide services a tool magazine mounted on the machine tool in close proximity to the work table. Because the tool changer is independent of the machine table, the selection and retrieval of the next tool to be used is performed while the machine tool is working. Similarly, the replacement of the tool back into its storage location is done while the machine tool is working. The exchanging of the pressure foot insert is done as part of the tool change process. Time is saved because the work table does not have to be moved to position the tool changer under the spindle. In fact, the work table may be moved to the next work location while the tool changer changes the tool in the spindle.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a stack pusher apparatus which is used for pushing a workpiece such as a stack of printed circuit cards between rest locations. The pusher apparatus includes an articulated engagement unit which permits reasonable tolerances relative to the dimensions of the workpiece to be pushed or moved. In addition, a pneumatically driven control mechanism for moving the stack pusher apparatus is described.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading and unloading components such as circuit boards from a transport unit to a work station. The apparatus includes a flexible tape which is wound on a storage drum and selectively extended or retracted relative to the drum. Components are included to drive the drum, elevate the extended tape, sense the position of the tape and the like.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing a movable upright registration pin extending above a horizontal work surface for locating workpieces on the tooling plate of a computer controlled drilling machine. A straight edge member, disposed in a channel in the surface of the tooling plate, provides two vertical reference surfaces which are precisely located to define a line of position for the registration pin. The registration pin is maintained upright in a carrier that is slidably disposed in a channel in the straight edge member between the two reference surfaces. The rotation of a cam bar disposed adjacent the carrier applies force to the carrier which causes the registration pin to bear against the two vertical reference surfaces to precisely and securely locate the pin on the line of position. The registration pin may be pushed by the spindle of the drilling machine along the line of position and then locked in the registration position under the automatic control of the drilling machine.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing a movable upright registration pin extending above a horizontal work surface for locating workpieces on the tooling plate of a computer controlled drilling machine. A straight edge member, disposed in a channel in the surface of the tooling plate, provides two vertical reference surfaces which are precisely located to define a line of position for the registration pin. The registration pin is maintained upright in a carrier that is slidably disposed in a channel in the straight edge member between the two reference surfaces. The rotation of a cam bar disposed adjacent the carrier applies force to the carrier which causes the registration pin to bear against the two vertical reference surfaces to precisely and securely locate the pin on the line of position. The registration pin may be pushed by the spindle of the drilling machine along the line of position and then locked in the registration position under the automatic control of the drilling machine.