Abstract: An improved lightweight z-axis (vertical) drilling apparatus for a commercial PCB drilling systems that uses a pair of unitary z-axis movement guides that integrate the vertical, guided movement of the linear actuator, spindle and pressure foot of a PCB drilling apparatus. The linear actuator is positioned directly above and coupled to the spindle, and the unitary z-axis movement guides situated such that the such that the center of mass of all of the drilling assembly's moving components is collinear with the axis of rotation of the motor and spindle. The combination of these improvements allows for faster drilling times, shorter drilling cycles, less drill bit wander, slower drill bit dulling and less drill bit breakage.

Abstract: A printed circuit board (PCB) drilling apparatus that greatly increases the speed, accuracy and depth of the drilling process as well as increasing the life of the drill bits by decoupling the reactionary forces encountered in the positioning and drilling functions of the apparatus in the x, y and z axes from the components that accomplish the positioning, measuring and drilling of the stacked printed circuit boards. The part of the apparatus that moves and drills as well as the feedback position sensors are mounted to a set of vibration isolation pads that absorb the vibrations that would disturb the feedback sensors. Additionally, the force frame of the apparatus that experiences the reactionary force movements are decoupled from the metrology frame of the apparatus that house the feedback sensors, also increasing the throughput and accuracy.

Abstract: A printed circuit board (PCB) drilling apparatus that greatly increases the speed, accuracy and depth of the drilling process as well as increasing the life of the drill bits by decoupling the reactionary forces encountered in the positioning and drilling functions of the apparatus in the x,y and z axes from the components that accomplish the positioning, measuring and drilling of the stacked printed circuit boards. The part of the apparatus that moves and drills as well as the feedback position sensors are mounted to a set of vibration isolation pads that absorb the vibrations that would disturb the feedback sensors. Additionally, the force frame of the apparatus that experiences the reactionary force movements are decoupled from the metrology frame of the apparatus that house the feedback sensors, also increasing the throughput and accuracy.