Method and apparatus for locating targets on a panel and performing work operations thereon
AssigneeSystems Analysis and Integration, Inc.
InventorsLarry A. Pomatto, Kevin T. Franklin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for use with a panel having at least first and second targets thereon detectable with x-rays and comprising relatively moving the panel and an x-ray detection apparatus along a search path to locate the targets on the panel. With the targets located work operations, such as drilling and shearing, are performed on the panel.
Claims39
A method for use with a panel having sheet material on opposite faces of the panel and at least a first target between the sheet material which is detectable with radioactive rays, said method comprising:
- relatively moving the panel and a radioactive detection apparatus along a search path;
- directing radioactive rays from the detection apparatus toward the panel to accurately locate the first target without removing any of the sheet material;
- and
- performing a work operation on said panel utilizing the location of the first target, said work operation being carried out at a known location on said panel with respect to the first target.
A method for performing work operations on a printed circuit board having at least first and second targets, said method comprising:
- moving the printed circuit board in an X-Y plane relative to a detection apparatus to locate the first target;
- drilling a hole in the printed circuit board substantially at the first target;
- locating the second target;
- determining the angular orientation of the printed circuit board using the location of the first and second targets;
- pivoting the printed circuit board from the angular orientation determined to a desired angular orientation;
- and
- shearing at least two of the edges of the printed circuit board following said step of pivoting.
A method for use with a panel having at least a first target thereon detectable with radioactive rays, said method comprising:
- relatively moving the panel and a radioactive detection apparatus along a search path;
- directing radioactive rays from the detection apparatus toward the panel to locate the first target;
- performing an operation with respect to the first panel utilizing the location of the first target, said step of performing including drilling a hole in said panel at a known location with respect to said first target;
- and
- transferring the panel with the drilled hole therein to another work station and shearing a plurality of the edges of the panel at said another work station.
A method for use with a panel having at least a first target thereon detectable with radioactive rays, said method comprising:
- relatively moving the panel and a radioactive detection apparatus along a search path, said step of relatively moving including relatively moving the panel and the detection apparatus along a search path which extends from a central location of a search area to the perimeter of the search area and then extends along the perimeter of the search area;
- directing radioactive rays from the detection apparatus toward the panel to locate the first target;
- and
- performing an operation with respect to the panel utilizing the location of the first target.
An apparatus for use with a panel having face sheets and at least a first target between the face sheets which is detectable with radioactive rays, said apparatus comprising:
- a support adapted to receive the panel, said support including means for releasably retaining the panel thereon;
- a radioactive detection apparatus for directing rays toward the support;
- means for relatively moving the support and the detection apparatus along a search path whereby the detection apparatus can locate the first target through at least one of the face sheets;
- and
- means for performing a work operation on the panel using the location of the first target, said work operation being carried out at a known location on said panel with respect to the first target.
An apparatus for performing work operations on a printed circuit board having at least one target thereon, said apparatus comprising:
- an X-Y table for receiving the printed circuit board and having means for retaining the printed circuit board thereon;
- detection means for locating the first target;
- means for moving the X-Y table relative to the detection means to locate the first target;
- means for drilling a hole in the printed circuit board substantially at the first target;
- a rotatable table;
- means for transferring the printed circuit board with the hole drilled therein to the rotatable table;
- means for retaining the printed circuit board on the rotatable table;
- means for pivoting the rotatable table;
- and
- means for shearing at least one of the edges of the printed circuit board with the printed circuit board retained on the rotatable table.
An apparatus for use with a panel having at least first and second targets, said apparatus comprising:
- a support adapted to receive the panel, said support including means for releasably retaining the panel thereon;
- means for detecting the locations of the first and second targets on the panel;
- means for determining the distance between the centers of the first and second targets;
- means for comparing said distance to a predetermined spacing between the centers of the first and second targets;
- and
- means for projecting first and second adjusted target locations on said printed circuit board, with the first and second adjusted target locations being substantially equal distances from the first and second targets, respectively, and with the first and second target locations having said predetermined spacing between the centers thereof.
An apparatus for performing a work operation on a panel comprising:
- a loading platform at a loading station adapted to have a stack of the panels thereon;
- means for raising and lowering the platform;
- means at a first work station for performing an operation with respect to one of the panels;
- a carrier;
- means for mounting the carrier for movement from the loading station to the first work station;
- said carrier including means for releasably retaining a panel and means for moving the releasable retaining means toward and away from the stack of panels on the platform when the carrier is at the loading station whereby the carrier can be attached to and pick up the uppermost panel from the stack;
- and
- means for lowering the platform to assist in separating the uppermost panel from the stack.
An apparatus for use with a panel having at least a first target thereon detectable with radioactive rays, said apparatus comprising:
- a support adapted to receive the panel, said support including means for releasably retaining the panel thereon;
- a radioactive detection apparatus for directing rays toward the support;
- means for relatively moving the support and the detection apparatus along a search path whereby the detection apparatus can locate the first target;
- means for performing an operation with respect to the first panel which uses the location of the first target;
- said performing means including a drill for drilling a hole in said panel;
- means for transferring the panel with the hole drilled therein to another work staiton;
- and
- means for shearing at least one edge of the panel at said another work station.
An apparatus for use with a panel having at least a first target thereon detectable with radioactive rays, said apparatus comprising:
- a support adapted to receive the panel, said support including means for releasably retaining the panel thereon;
- a radioactive detection apparatus for directing rays toward the support;
- means for relatively moving the support and the detection apparatus along a search path whereby the detection apparatus can locate the first target;
- means for performing an operation with respect to the first panel which uses the location of the first target;
- said performing means including means for determining the angular orientation of the panel;
- means for pivoting the panel to the desired orientation;
- and
- means for shearing at least one edge of the panel.
An apparatus for use with a panel having at least a first target thereon detectable with radioactive rays, said apparatus comprising:
- a support adapted to receive the panel, said support including means for releasably retaining the panel thereon;
- a radioactive detection apparatus for directing rays toward the support;
- means for relatively moving the support and the deteciton apparatus along a search path whereby the detection apparatus can locate the first target, said moving means relatively moving the support and the detection apparatus along a search path which extends from a central location of a search area to the perimeter of the search area and then along the perimeter of the search area;
- and
- means for performing an operation with respect to the first panel which uses the location of the first target.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.