Abstract: An automatic system that feeds, laminates, unloads, stores and transfers laminated panels to subsequent processing for use in the electronics industry includes an automatic laminator that operates with a single roll of photoresist dry film to effect single wrap around lamination of each of a plurality of panels in succession and removal of the polyethylene protective cover sheet, and further includes a buffer/interface unit that is operative during a post lamination period to provide a holding area for the laminated panels to allow them to chemically stabilize prior to imaging, and in addition, is operative after the panel has stabilized to translate each of the panels, in turn, from a vertical to a horizontal position and deliver it to the infeed portion of an exposure machine that is mated with it.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically laminating photoresist dry film onto each of a plurality of panels stacked upright in a panel feed unit with a 10.degree. slant counterclockwise from the vertical, the film being characterized by being easily contaminated, limp and tacky although peelable thereby enabling the use of a polyethylene protective coating, includes a film feed bar for pulling the film from a roll into a laminating station on a 10.degree. upward slant, the polyethylene coating being wound on a take-up roll, and further includes a film hold bar, a film hold cutoff bar and a film cutoff knife for cutting the film precisely to the length required for folding the film over the panel on both sides with no overlap. A panel pick-up unit picks up each of the panels in succession and moves it down into engagement with a transverse center line on the film, through a laminating nip and between heated laminating rolls, delivery belts and cooperating lugs moving the laminated panel to a delivery stack.