Pressure-sensing stages for lamination systems

A method of laminating a first rigid structure to a second rigid structure using hard-to-hard lamination equipment having a first stage and a second stage, wherein the second stage is a pressure-sensing stage having a plurality of pressure sensors, the method comprising:

• temporarily attaching the first rigid structure to the first stage;
• temporarily attaching the second rigid structure to the pressure-sensing stage;
• operating a positioner to move the second stage relative to the first stage at least laterally or vertically so that the first rigid structure and the second rigid structure come in contact;
• gathering pressure data using the plurality of pressure sensors;
• and
• operating actuators between the positioner and the second stage based on the gathered pressure data to laminate the first rigid structure to the second rigid structure,
• wherein the gathering pressure data comprises monitoring an uniformity of pressure with which the first rigid structure and the second rigid structure are pressed together during the laminating the first rigid structure to the second rigid structure, and
• wherein the operating of actuators comprises moving the pressure-sensing stage laterally or vertically, and rotating the pressure-sensing stage in a x-y plane or out of the x-y plane in order to adjust a position and orientation of the pressure-sensing stage for applying an uniform pressure to the first rigid structure and the second rigid structure.

A method of using a laminating system to attach a liquid crystal display cell to an assembly that includes a glass layer, a touch-sensor substrate attached to the glass layer, and a sheet of optically clear adhesive on the touch-sensor substrate, the method comprising:

• securing the assembly in a fixed position;
• securing the liquid crystal display cell to a movable pressure-sensing mounting stage;
• operating a positioner to move the movable pressure-sensing mounting stage at least laterally or vertically so that the liquid crystal display cell and the assembly come in contact;
• gathering pressure data using the movable pressure-sensing mounting stage;
• and
• operating actuators based on the gathered pressure data to press the liquid crystal display cell against the sheet of optically clear adhesive material,
• wherein the gathering pressure data comprises monitoring an uniformity of pressure with which the assembly and the liquid crystal display cell are pressed together during the pressing the liquid crystal display cell, and
• wherein operating the actuators comprises moving the movable pressure-sensing mounting stage laterally or vertically, and rotating the movable pressure-sensing mounting stage in a x-y plane or out of the x-y plane in order to adjust a position and orientation of the movable pressure-sensing mounting stage for applying an uniform pressure across the assembly and the liquid crystal display cell.