Abstract: Featured for removing the cover sheet from a dry film laminated on a board is the combination of a knurling wheel action and an air blowing injector which work together in a single stroke to separate the cover sheet from the edge of the dry film, with which combination a sucking roll is provided in cooperative relation, and which, upon touching the surface of the board, starts to rotate whereby the cover sheet, already separated in an area thereof from the dry film, is sucked and peeled from the dry film by the sucking roll and with continued rotation of the sucking roll is removed in its entirety from the dry film.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus that is continuously automatically operative in an in-line system is described for applying under heat, vacuum and mechanical pressure a photoresist-forming layer to printed circuit boards that already have been prelaminated by the loose application thereto of dry film as discrete cut sheets within the confines of the surface of the boards whereby a laminate without entrapped air bubbles and closely conforming to the surface contours such as circuit traces of the printed circuit board is obtained. Featured is a two-part conveyorized vacuum applicator comprising as one part two input conveyors in end-to-end relation and as the other part a belt conveyor and vacuum laminator.

Abstract: A temperature detecting device for a rotating roll comprises an elongated bifurcated support, a roller bearing, a steel pin and a thermocouple. The roller bearing is held in place by the elongated support with a steel pin and is positioned in rolling contact with the peripheral surface of the rotating roll. As the result the bearing assume the temperature of the rotating roll and the thermocouple situated in the interior of the steel pin detects the temperature of the bearing which assumes substantially the same temperature as that of the rotating roll.

Abstract: An automatic laminator for laminating film on a board includes a control unit, input and output roller tables, and a control cabinet. The control unit includes a tacking system, film supply rolls, takeup rolls, lamination rolls, a cutting system and a vacuum system. The control unit features holding the board stationary between the completion of the tacking operation and the beginning of the lamination operation and the starting the lamination at substantially the same position where the tacking has been effected, thus improving the efficiency of operation and enabling a reduction in the time, pressure, and temperature required for the successful performance of tacking. This together with a simple and effective cutting system involving a cutting blade that moves only a few millimeters and cuts the film "on the fly" enables an increase in the rate at which the boards may be laminated. Single side lamination of very thin boards is also made possible.

Abstract: A dry film for forming a solder mask includes a cover sheet, a photoimageable composition layer which is curable to form a solder mask and a top coat interposed between the cover sheet and the photoimageable composition layer which is selectively adherent to the photoimageable composition layer. The dry film is applied to a surface of a printed circuit board with a minor portion of the area of the photoimageable composition layer tacked to the printed circuit board. The cover sheet is peeled away. With heat and vacuum, the photoimageable composition layer is laminated to the irregular surface of the printed circuit board, conforming the photoimageable composition layer to the contours thereof and leaving the top coat as a protective covering over the photoimageable composition layer. The photoimageable composition layer is exposed to patterned actinic radiation, developed and cured to form a hard, permanent solder mask.

Abstract: An automatic laminator for laminating film on a board includes a control unit, input and output roller tables, and a control cabinet. The control unit includes a tacking system, film supply rolls, takeup rolls, lamination rolls, a cutting system and a vacuum system. The control unit features holding the board stationary between the completion of the tacking operation and the beginning of the lamination operation and the starting the lamination at substantially the same position where the tacking has been effected, thus improving the efficiency of operation and enabling a reduction in the time, pressure, and temperature required for the successful performance of tacking. This together with a simple and effective cutting system involving a cutting blade that moves only a few millimeters and cuts the film "on the fly" enables an increase in the rate at which the boards may be laminated. Single side lamination of very thin boards is also made possible.