Abstract: Depaneling systems are disclosed for liberating circuit boards from panels. A depaneling system of the invention includes a cutting apparatus adapted to cut circuit boards from a panel, and a fixture pallet adapted to support a panel of circuit boards for cutting by the cutting apparatus. The fixture pallet is also adapted to tilt toward an operator to allow the operator to register a panel on the fixture pallet.

Abstract: Tooling fixtures and methods are described for securing a solid-matrix panel for cutting. In one embodiment, a tooling fixture includes a first clamping system and a second clamping system. The first clamping system receives a solid-matrix panel of PCBs and secures the solid-matrix panel for cutting of the solid-matrix panel along a first axis. Once secured, a cutting apparatus cuts the solid-matrix panel along the first axis between the PCBs to cut the solid-matrix panel into a plurality of strips. The second clamping system then moves into a position relative to the strips of the solid-matrix panel and secures the strips for cutting of the strips along a second axis. When secured by the second clamping system, the cutting apparatus cuts the individual PCBs from the strips.

Abstract: A depaneling system is disclosed for cutting a panel. The depaneling system comprises a tooling apparatus and a cutting apparatus. The tooling apparatus helps hold the panel in place with suction during cutting of said panel and collects dust particles generated by the cutting of the panel. The cutting apparatus is comprised of a housing, a drive motor, a cutting unit, and a drive connector. The housing separates the drive motor from the cutting unit. The housing comprises a first section and a second section separated by a dividing member. The drive connector, such as a belt, passes through the first section of the housing. The second section of the housing forms a path for the dust particles.

Abstract: A depaneling system is disclosed for cutting a panel. The depaneling system comprises a tooling apparatus and a cutting apparatus. The tooling apparatus helps hold the panel in place with suction during cutting of said panel and collects dust particles generated by the cutting of the panel. The cutting apparatus is comprised of a housing, a drive motor, a cutting unit, and a drive connector. The housing separates the drive motor from the cutting unit. The housing comprises a first section and a second section separated by a dividing member. The drive connector, such as a belt, passes through the first section of the housing. The second section of the housing forms a path for the dust particles.

Abstract: A system having improved cycle time for removing PC boards from a connected panel. In accordance with the present invention, a pair of walking clamps are used to receive a panel from a subsequent processing system, and a movable receiving nest is used to provide the PC boards to a subsequent processing station. The processes of receiving a panel, depaneling the PC board, and delivering the PC boards do not use common components and are able to operate independently and concurrently to reduce idle time in the system and improve the cycle time. The present invention also provides a secondary vacuums which removes debris from the PC boards as the PC boards are being transporting to a subsequent processing system to improve the removal of debris.

Abstract: Individual printed circuit boards are routed from a panel comprised of an array of printed circuit boards. The individual printed circuit boards are moved as a group, after being routed from the panel, to a registration nest for holding the individual printed circuit boards. The printed circuit boards rest in the registration nest until a subsequent processing station is ready to receive a printed circuit board. At the appropriate time, each printed circuit board is moved one at a time to a subsequent processing station. A second group of printed circuit boards is routed from a second panel while the first group of printed circuit boards rests in the registration nest and is moved one at a time to the subsequent processing station. A sensor reads features on the panel or on individual printed circuit boards and the routing program is modified or stopped in response to certain panel features.