Sliptrack architecture for an assembly machine, system and method
AssigneeUniveral Instruments Corporation
InventorKoenraad Alexander Gieskes
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A slip track includes a continuous circuitous track. The continuous circuitous track includes a layered printed circuit board. The layered printed circuit board includes a top track layer configured to supply electric power to a device having a contact element sliding across the top track layer, the layered printed circuit board further having a lower layer connected to the top track layer, the lower layer configured to supply electric power to the top track layer. The layered printed circuit board is flexible and is bent around curves in the continuous circuitous track. A method of assembly using the slip track is further disclosed.
Claims20
A slip track comprising:
- a continuous circuitous track including a layered printed circuit board, wherein the layered printed circuit board includes a top track layer configured to supply electric power to a device having a contact element sliding across the top track layer, the layered printed circuit board further having a lower layer connected to the top track layer, the lower layer configured to supply electric power to the top track layer, wherein the layered printed circuit board is flexible and is bent around curves in the continuous circuitous track.
An assembly machine comprising:
- a plurality of dispensing heads configured to at least partially assemble an unfinished product, the plurality of dispensing heads each including a contact element;
- and
- a track configured to supply electric power to the dispensing head when the contact element contacts the track as the dispensing head moves along the track, wherein the track includes a layered printed circuit board having a top track layer configured to supply electric power to the dispensing head and a lower layer connected to the top track layer, the lower layer configured to supply electric power to the top track layer, wherein the track is circuitous and includes curves, and wherein the layered printed circuit board is flexible and is bent around the curves in track.
A method of assembly comprising:
- printing a layered circuit board having a top track layer and a lower layer under the top track layer;
- supplying electrical power to the top track layer with the lower layer;
- providing a dispensing head with a contact element;
- moving the dispensing head along the top track layer while the contact element contacts the top track layer;
- supplying power to the dispensing head with the top track layer;
- and
- bending the layered circuit board to create a circuitous track from the layered circuit board.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.