Circuit board router apparatus and method thereof

A method for operating a circuit board router device for depaneling a printed circuit board, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a frame removably supporting a fixture adapted to hold a circuit board panel to be routed;
• (b) providing a router assembly coupled to the frame, the router assembly including an X-arm that moves a router spindle along the X axis, a Y-arm that moves the router spindle along the Y axis, and a Z-arm that moves the router spindle along the Z axis, wherein the router spindle is operatively coupled to the Z-arm;
• (c) providing a router bit affixed to the router spindle;
• (d) providing a controller operationally associated with a first drive mechanism that drives the X-arm, a second drive mechanism that drives the Y-arm, and a third drive mechanism that drives the Z-arm, wherein the controller positions the router bit in accordance with positioning coordinates with respect to the fixture;
• (e) providing an input/output device operatively associated with the frame, the input/output device including display capability for displaying diagnostic information relating to the router device, and further including data input capability for accepting programming information for the controller;
• and
• (f) providing an information-carrying device in communication with the controller, the information-carrying device including pattern information identifying a router pattern to be utilized in depaneling circuit boards.