Abstract: A control apparatus for multiplexing a single distributed control amplifier to control multiple axes of motion in a multi-axis machine. In one example, the control apparatus comprises a distributed control motor amplifier, a first motor constructed and arranged to provide movement along a first axis of motion, a second motor constructed and arranged to provide movement along a second axis of motion, a first relay having a switch coupled to the distributed control motor amplifier, a first contact coupled to the first motor, a second contact coupled to the second motor, and an input for receiving an actuation signal, wherein the relay is configured to be manipulated between a first state in which the switch is electrically connected to the first contact a second state in which the switch is electrically connected to the second contact, in response to the actuation signal.

Abstract: A stencil printer for printing viscous material on a substrate includes a frame, a stencil, and a print head to deposit and print viscous material over the stencil. A substrate support supports a substrate in a print position. A substrate support movement assembly includes a first movement mechanism configured to move the substrate support in a first direction, a second movement mechanism configured to move the substrate support in a second direction, the second direction being generally perpendicular to the first direction, and a third movement mechanism, spaced from a first movement mechanism, configured to move the substrate in the first direction. The stencil printer further includes a controller coupled to the substrate support movement assembly to move the substrate support by the first, second and third movement mechanisms in an x-direction, a y-direction and a rotational direction to align the substrate.

Abstract: A stencil printer for printing viscous material on a substrate includes a frame, a stencil, and a print head to deposit and print viscous material over the stencil. A substrate support supports a substrate in a print position. A substrate support movement assembly includes a first movement mechanism configured to move the substrate support in a first direction, a second movement mechanism configured to move the substrate support in a second direction, the second direction being generally perpendicular to the first direction, and a third movement mechanism, spaced from a first movement mechanism, configured to move the substrate in the first direction. The stencil printer further includes a controller coupled to the substrate support movement assembly to move the substrate support by the first, second and third movement mechanisms in an x-direction, a y-direction and a rotational direction to align the substrate.

Abstract: A control apparatus for multiplexing a single distributed control amplifier to control multiple axes of motion in a multi-axis machine. In one example, the control apparatus comprises a distributed control motor amplifier, a first motor constructed and arranged to provide movement along a first axis of motion, a second motor constructed and arranged to provide movement along a second axis of motion, a first relay having a switch coupled to the distributed control motor amplifier, a first contact coupled to the first motor, a second contact coupled to the second motor, and an input for receiving an actuation signal, wherein the relay is configured to be manipulated between a first state in which the switch is electrically connected to the first contact a second state in which the switch is electrically connected to the second contact, in response to the actuation signal.

Abstract: A stencil printer for printing viscous material on a substrate includes a frame, a stencil, and a print head to deposit and print viscous material over the stencil. A substrate support supports a substrate in a print position. A substrate support movement assembly includes a first movement mechanism configured to move the substrate support in a first direction, a second movement mechanism configured to move the substrate support in a second direction, the second direction being generally perpendicular to the first direction, and a third movement mechanism, spaced from a first movement mechanism, configured to move the substrate in the first direction. The stencil printer further includes a controller coupled to the substrate support movement assembly to move the substrate support by the first, second and third movement mechanisms in an x-direction, a y-direction and a rotational direction to align the substrate.

Abstract: A control apparatus for multiplexing a single distributed control amplifier to control multiple axes of motion in a multi-axis machine. In one example, the control apparatus comprises a distributed control motor amplifier, a first motor constructed and arranged to provide movement along a first axis of motion, a second motor constructed and arranged to provide movement along a second axis of motion, a first relay having a switch coupled to the distributed control motor amplifier, a first contact coupled to the first motor, a second contact coupled to the second motor, and an input for receiving an actuation signal, wherein the relay is configured to be manipulated between a first state in which the switch is electrically connected to the first contact a second state in which the switch is electrically connected to the second contact, in response to the actuation signal.

Abstract: A control apparatus for multiplexing a single distributed control amplifier to control multiple axes of motion in a multi-axis machine. In one example, the control apparatus comprises a distributed control motor amplifier, a first motor constructed and arranged to provide movement along a first axis of motion, a second motor constructed and arranged to provide movement along a second axis of motion, a first relay having a switch coupled to the distributed control motor amplifier, a first contact coupled to the first motor, a second contact coupled to the second motor, and an input for receiving an actuation signal, wherein the relay is configured to be manipulated between a first state in which the switch is electrically connected to the first contact a second state in which the switch is electrically connected to the second contact, in response to the actuation signal.

Abstract: A stencil printer for printing viscous material on a substrate includes a frame, a stencil, and a print head to deposit and print viscous material over the stencil. A substrate support supports a substrate in a print position. A substrate support movement assembly includes a first movement mechanism configured to move the substrate support in a first direction, a second movement mechanism configured to move the substrate support in a second direction, the second direction being generally perpendicular to the first direction, and a third movement mechanism, spaced from a first movement mechanism, configured to move the substrate in the first direction. The stencil printer further includes a controller coupled to the substrate support movement assembly to move the substrate support by the first, second and third movement mechanisms in an x-direction, a y-direction and a rotational direction to align the substrate.

Abstract: A digital control system is provided for regulating the position and velocity of a load. Within the control system, both commanded and actual motion of the load are represented by a bi-directional pulse train in which each pulse represents an increment of movement, so that the pulse repetition rate represents the speed of the load. A bi-directional pulse generator is provided in which the polarity and repetition rate of the output signal are dependent respectively on the sign and magnitude of the differential pulse accumulation between the commanded and actual motion signals. In one embodiment, a pulse-actuated incremental stepping motor is used to move the load, so that the bi-directional pulse train from the pulse generator can be applied directly to the stepping motor through a pulse conditioner, and is also fed back through a single feedback connection as the actual motion signal.