Abstract: An automatic system for exposing and handling double-sided printed circuit boards without scuffing either side, which effects precise positioning of the circuit boards at exposure stations, and which holds the circuit boards firmly clamped on a planar stage during exposure. The system includes a first apparatus to expose one side of each circuit board, and a second apparatus to expose the other side thereof. Air-bearing and mechanical-engagement means cooperate with each other to float and actuate the circuit boards from one station to the other, and coarse and fine positioning means are provided at each station to effect accurate locating of the boards thereat followed by vacuum clamping onto the exposure stage. Means are provided for automatically inverting each board as it moves from the first exposure station to the second, the inverting means incorporating air-bearing and mechanical-actuating means to insure that there is no scuffing at the inverting station.

Abstract: In an apparatus and method for effecting automatic handling of circuit boards prior to exposing them, pins are provided that effect highly accurate location of the circuit board at an exposure station. The pins are extended through slots provided in the circuit board, at least one slot being perpendicular to the others.Each pin is noncircular, being sufficiently small to be inserted through an associated slot when the pin is in one rotated position, but being sufficiently large that rotation of the pin about its axis will cause it to bind with the walls of the slot, so that further pin rotation is prevented. The pins are inserted into the slots when in the non-binding rotated positions, following which the pins are rotated so as to bind with the slot walls, and thereby move the board to a precisely known position relative to the axes of the pins. Thereafter, exposure of the board is effected.