US 6,207,220 B1 · Dual track stencil/screen printer

Abstract

A dual track stencil system includes a first set of rails and a second set of rails, each of the rails being independently controlled for allowing for independent movement of circuit boards through the stencil system for processing. The stencil system includes a working area, at which the circuit boards are stenciled. A stencil, having two patterns, each aligned with a respective working area of each track is suspended above the dual track system. A solder dispensing unit including a squeegee arm is suspended above the stencil, parallel to and centered between the two tracks. During operation, a circuit board enters the working area, is raised to engage with the stencil, and the squeegee arm traverses that portion of the stencil pattern currently engaging the board, thereby dispensing solder through the pattern and stenciling the board. The stencil system operates to process two boards on one track before advancing to the second track for processing another pair of boards. The rails of the dual track system are advantageously moveable to allow for variable width boards or operation of the system in single track mode. The stencil system design may be adapted to make the dual track system a recirculating track, capable of supporting pallets for transport and printing of delicate materials. In addition, the stencil system design may be adapted for processing boards in parallel, where the boards are received simultaneously or staggered, placed at a stencil position, and printed with one stroke of the squeegee head.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A method for providing processing of circuit boards in a stenciling system having two tracks, each track having a loader for accepting circuit boards and advancing said boards to like printing positions within said tracks, said stenciling system comprising a stencil having a first pattern and a second pattern, one associated with each track, and a solder dispensing mechanism extendable across the first pattern and the second pattern on the stencil to print material on boards on each of the tracks, said method comprising the steps of:

a). receiving a first board on one of said tracks;
b). engaging said board, stencil and solder dispensing unit;
c). stroking said solder dispensing unit across the first pattern on the stencil from a first position between said patterns to an outer position of said one of said tracks receiving said board;
d). disengaging said first board;
e). advancing said one of said tracks to receive a second board;
f). engaging said second board, stencil and solder dispensing unit;
g). stroking said solder dispensing unit from said output position of said one of said tracks to said first position;
and
h). repeating steps a-g using a different one of said two tracks and using the second pattern on the stencil.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Dual track stencil/screen printer

Life of this patent

Dual track stencil/screen printer

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19