Computer cartridges assembly process line with integrated closure, weld, and marking stations

A method for producing computer cartridges, comprising the steps of:

• providing a metal cover with a top cover part and bottom cover part wherein the covers are one piece and formed by stamping a portion of a stainless steel sheet to form a one piece snap-shut cover;
• marking the cover to identify the product by attaching a preprinted label to both the top cover part and the bottom cover parts;
• providing an electronic interconnect structure with a connector at one end of the structure wherein the step of providing an electronic interconnect structure includes providing an organic substrate with one or more copper wiring layers including surface contacts;
• providing surface mount components;
• mass soldering terminals of the surface mount components to the contacts;
• a PCMCIA connector at one end of the substrate and attaching the connector to one or more of the wiring layers;
• inserting into the top or bottom cover parts, the electronic interconnect structure with the connector at one end of the respective cover part so that the cover is partially folded through a fold part connecting between the top and bottom covers at least about 90.degree. through a fold part connecting between the top and bottom covers;
• providing a top and a bottom confronting low friction boundaries tapering from an entry with a wide separation to an exit with a narrow separation;
• providing means for moving the computer cartridges from the entry through the exit wherein the covers are moved fold first through the system;
• moving the partially folded cover between the low friction boundaries, fully fold close the top and bottom cover parts together to enclose the interconnect structure with the connector at an opening through the cover;
• permanently securing the top and bottom cover parts together to produce the cartridge;
• the step of permanently securing the cover parts together includes interference extensions on walls of the top or bottom part of the cover to snap over the other part of the cover;
• the step of permanently securing the cover parts together includes beam welding the parts together at lap joints connecting the top and bottom parts;
• the step of beam welding includes tack welding two or more lap joints at two or more locations along each joint;
• the step of beam welding includes laser welding;
• and the step of beam welding occurs as the covers are moving through the system.

A system for welding computer cartridge assemblies, comprising:

• means including confronting, low friction top and bottom boundaries that taper together, for squeezing a top part and a bottom part of a cover of the computer cartridges together as the cartridges move between the boundaries to precisely position a joint between the top and bottom parts;
• means for automatically moving the computer cartridges through the system between the boundaries;
• and
• means for welding the top and bottom parts of the computer cartridges together as they are squeezed between the top and bottom boundaries.

A method for providing a system for welding computer cartridges, comprising the steps of:

• providing confronting, low friction top and bottom boundaries that squeeze a top part and a bottom part of the computer cartridges as the cover moves between the boundaries to precisely position a joint between the top and bottom parts, with respect to a direction perpendicular to a plane of the computer cartridges;
• providing means to automatically supply computer cartridges to the boundaries;
• providing means for automatically moving the computer cartridges between the boundaries;
• and
• providing a beam welding machine for welding the top and bottom parts of the computer cartridges together as they are squeezed between the top and bottom boundaries.

A method for producing secured computer cartridges, comprising the steps of:

• providing an electronic interconnect structure with a connector at one end of the structure;
• providing metal covers with an opening at one end;
• enclosing the electronic interconnect structure in the metal cover with the connector at one end of the cartridge;
• providing a top and a bottom confronting low friction boundaries tapering from an entry with a wide separation to an exit with a narrow separation;
• providing means for moving the computer cartridges with partially folded covers from the entry through the exit;
• automatically moving the partially folded cover between the low friction boundaries, folded part first, to fully fold the top and bottom cover parts together to enclose the interconnect structure with the connector at an opening through the cover;
• automatically permanently securing the top and bottom cover parts together to produce the cartridge;
• and
• securing a label to the top and bottom of the cartridge.

A PCMCIA cartridge production line, comprising in combination:

• means for moving PCMCIA cartridges at a continuous speed through the line;
• means for squeezing the cartridges to close the cartridges;
• means for permanently securing the closure of the cartridges while they continue to be squeezed;
• automatic means for marking the closed cartridges as they move down the line;
• first automatic sensor means for determining that the cartridge is in position for permenant securing;
• second automatic sensor means for determining that the cartridge is in position for marking;
• an automatic control system to initiate the permanent securing and marking of the cartridges depending on the automatically determined cartridge position.

An information handling system for operating computer cartridge assembly lines including closing station, welding station, and marking station, the system comprising:

• one or more central processing units;
• programmed memory means for directing the operation of the central processing units;
• means for automatically communicating with peripheral components including means for interrupting the operation of the central processing units depending on signals received from peripheral components;
• means for automatically regulating the movement of computer cartridges through the stations;
• means for automatically determining the presence of a computer cartridge at one or more welding positions at the welding station;
• means for automatically initiating welding of the computer cartridge depending on the determination of computer cartridge presence at each of the welding positions at the welding station;
• means for automatically determining presence of a computer cartridge at a labeling position at the marking station;
• means for automatically initiating marking of the computer cartridge depending on the determination of presence of the computer cartridge at the marking.

A method of operating a computer cartridge assembly system including a welder and labeler, comprising the steps of:

• regulating continuous movement of computer cartridges through the system;
• automatically detecting presence of a computer cartridge in one of one or more positions at the welder for tack welding;
• automatically tack welding along one or more seams of the computer cartridge as the cartridge moves continuously through the system, depending on the detection of presence of the cartridges at one of the positions for tack welding;
• automatically detecting presence of a computer cartridge at the labeler in position for marking;
• and
• automatically marking the computer cartridge as the cartridge moves continuously though the system, depending on the detection of cartridge presence.

Apparatus for programming a computer system, comprising:

• means to program the system for automatically determining presence of a computer cartridge at one or more welding positions at a welding station;
• means to program the system for automatically initiating welding of a computer cartridge depending on the determination of computer cartridge presence at each of the welding positions at the welding station;
• means to program the system for automatically determining the presence of a computer cartridge at a labeling position at the labeling station;
• means to program the system for automatically initiating marking of the computer cartridge depending on the determination of presence of the computer cartridge at the labeling position.