Stencil printer with multiplexed control of multi-axis machine having distributed control motor amplifier

A stencil printer for printing viscous material on a substrate, the stencil printer comprising:

• a frame;
• a stencil coupled to the frame;
• a print head, coupled for the frame, to deposit viscous material over the stencil;
• a substrate support constructed and arranged to hold the substrate;
• and
• a control apparatus for controlling movement of at least one of the stencil, the print head and the substrate support along multiple axes of motion, the control apparatus comprising
• a distributed control motor amplifier,
• a first motor constructed and arranged to provide movement along a first axis of motion
• a second motor constructed and arranged to provide movement along a second axis of motion, and
• a first relay having a switch coupled to the distributed control motor amplifier, a first contact coupled to the first motor, a second contact coupled to the second motor, and a coil for receiving an actuation signal;
• wherein the first relay is configured to be manipulated in response to the actuation signal between a first state in which the switch is electrically connected to the first contact and a second state in which the switch is electrically connected to the second contact;
• and
• wherein the stencil printer further comprises a second relay having a switch coupled to the distributed control motor amplifier, a first contact coupled to the first motor, a second contact coupled to the second motor, and a coil for receiving the actuation signal.

A stencil printer for printing viscous material on a substrate, the stencil printer comprising:

• a frame;
• a stencil coupled to the frame;
• a print head, coupled for the frame, to deposit viscous material over the stencil;
• a substrate support constructed and arranged to hold the substrate;
• a power supply;
• a second relay;
• and
• a control apparatus for controlling movement of at least one of the stencil, the print head and the substrate support along multiple axes of motion, the control apparatus comprising
• a distributed control motor amplifier,
• a first motor constructed and arranged to provide movement along a first axis of motion
• a second motor constructed and arranged to provide movement along a second axis of motion, and
• a first relay having a switch coupled to the distributed control motor amplifier, a first contact coupled to the first motor, a second contact coupled to the second motor, and a coil for receiving an actuation signal;
• wherein the first relay is configured to be manipulated in response to the actuation signal between a first state in which the switch is electrically connected to the first contact and a second state in which the switch is electrically connected to the second contact;
• wherein the second relay comprises a switch coupled to the power supply, a first contact coupled to the first motor, a second contact coupled to the second motor, and a coil for receiving the actuation signal;
• wherein the second relay is configured to be manipulated in response to the actuation signal between a first state in which the switch is electrically connected to the first contact and a second state in which the switch is electrically connected to the second contact;
• and
• wherein the first and second relays are configured such that when the first relay is in the first state, the second relay is in the second state.