US 4,463,636 A · Holding fixture and trimmer for PC boards

Abstract

The trimming apparatus and fixture for holding a PC board prior to and during trimming of an upper surface of the PC board utilizes a trimming blade rotated by a variable speed motor. This apparatus includes X and Y motion mechanism moved by hand grips that are spaced apart and cooperate with push button switches providing a safety control circuit. The X and Y motion mechanism employs linear ball bushings mounted and movable on hardened steel shafts. Removable holding fixtures are employed to hold and retain the PC boards during trimming. One holding fixture is used for PC boards that are not warped and not likely to warp. This fixture holds the PC board on three sides and a quick acting cam clamp is actuated to retain and release a PC board. Another fixture is adapted to hold and retain a PC board that is warped or likely to warp. Vacuum is used with a plurality of standoffs to establish the desired holding plane of this PC board. A quick opening aperture is uncovered to release both negative pressure and the PC board after trimming. A third fixture employs a top plate which is positioned by dowells. On this fixture and in this plate is formed a plurality of receiving openings for PC boards of small and/or irregular size. Vacuum is also employed as well as standoffs. The interior chamber of this fixture is provided with a quick opening lever plate that is manipulated to uncover an aperture and bring the interior of the fixture to atmospheric pressure.

Claims40

Dependent claims

A method for holding and trimming the upper face of a PC board which includes the steps of:

(a) providing a base support including a plate member;
(b) mounting an X and Y motion mechanism on said base plate member with said mechanism movable in a prescribed plane above said plate, this mechanism movable by operator manipulation and with minimal friction and effort;
(c) carrying a motor and cutting blade in a plane substantially parallel to and above the prescribed plane of the X and Y motion mechanism, said blade rotatable by said motor at a selected speed;
(d) mounting a carrier on this X and Y motion mechanism and with this carrier movable by and with the X and Y motion mechanism and establishing limits of motion of this motion mechanism as actuated by an operator;
(e) providing a safety control circuit with said mechanism to insure that a trimming step occurs only when and while the operator moves the motion mechanism in a foolproof and safe manner during manipulation, and
(f) removably mounting a holding fixture on said carrier and with this fixture having at least three upstanding side holding plates and providing in said side plates means for retaining and positioning the upper surface of said PC board or boards toward the cutting blade and in a plane that is substantially parallel to the cutting plane of the blade edge and providing means for ready retention and release of successive boards from said holding fixture.

3 more elements

An apparatus and fixture for holding at least one PC board prior to and during trimming of an upper surface of said board, said apparatus and fixture including:

(a) a base including a support plate;
(b) an X and Y motion mechanism movable in a prescribed plane and carried by and above said base, said mechanism movable by operator manipulation and with minimal friction and effort;
(c) a motor and cutting blade rotatable by said motor at a selected speed and with the cutting edge of the blade in a plane substantially parallel to and above the prescribed plane of the X and Y motion mechanism;
(d) a carrier mounted on said X and Y motion mechanism and movable with said mechanism in the X and Y directions to and within determined limits by operator manipulation and including a safety control circuit insuring that trimming occurs only when and while the operator moves the motion mechanism in a foolproof and safe manner, and
(e) a holding fixture removably mounted on said carrier, said fixture having at least three side holding plates and with said plates providing means for retaining and positioning the upper surface of said PC board or boards toward the cutting blade so that said upper face is in a plane substantially parallel to the cutting plane of the blade and with said holding fixture having means for ready retention and release of successive PC boards.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Holding fixture and trimmer for PC boards

Life of this patent

Holding fixture and trimmer for PC boards

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims40