Circuit board production line

Abstract

This invention relates to a circuit board production line, comprising an automated guided vehicle (AGV), an automated stacking device, a docking device, and a board separation and recycling system. The AGV has a lifting mechanism capable of carrying base plates. The automated stacking device receives base plates from the AGV, stacks raw materials on the base plates, and then delivers the base plates to the docking device. The docking device receives the base plates from the AGV and feeds the raw materials into a machine to press them into a stacked board. The base plates, along with the board bodies, are then delivered by the AGV to the board separation and recycling system. The board separation and recycling system receives the base plates from the AGV and separates the board bodies after obtaining them from the base plates. By using AGVs for logistics operations, the equipment layout is easier and the production process is more flexible.

Description

Circuit board production line Technical Field

[0001] This work relates to a production line for manufacturing circuit boards. Prior Technology

[0002] The fabrication of a circuit board involves hot-pressing copper foil onto the side of a prepreg board, then etching circuitry onto the copper foil to form a single-layer circuit board. Existing circuit boards are mainly multilayer circuit boards, which are formed by stacking prepreg board and copper foil on a single-layer circuit board, followed by hot pressing and etching to form a double-layer circuit board. The aforementioned steps can be repeated as needed to form a multilayer circuit board.

[0003] Specifically, before the hot pressing operation, the raw materials to be hot-pressed are first stacked on a sturdy metal base plate in a stacking area. In practice, multiple sets of circuit board raw materials are stacked on the metal base plate, with adjacent circuit board raw materials separated by metal partitions. After stacking, the materials to be processed are sent to a hot pressing area for pressing. After pressing, the materials to be processed are sent to a depaneling area to separate the stacked circuit boards, partitions, base plates, and other boards for subsequent processing.

[0004] Because the overall weight of the base plate and raw materials is considerable, early circuit board production lines required dedicated conveyors to move the base plate. Therefore, the conveyor belt of the circuit board production line would extend from the stacking operation area to the hot pressing operation area and the depaneling operation area.

[0005] However, since the conveyor belt track is fixed on the ground, the conveyor belt inevitably divides the factory space into several isolated islands that are not easy to connect with each other, making it difficult to arrange other equipment, and the production process lacks flexibility in adjustment because the conveyor belt can only run along a fixed route.

[0006] Therefore, existing circuit board production lines need to be improved. Summary of the Invention

[0007] In view of the aforementioned shortcomings and deficiencies of the prior art, this invention provides a circuit board production line that replaces the conveyor belt with an unmanned transport vehicle to increase the flexibility of production process adjustments and make the factory equipment layout easier.

[0008] To achieve the aforementioned creative objectives, the technical means employed in this invention is to design a circuit board production line, which is used to stack a plurality of raw materials on a substrate to form a work-in-process, and to transport the substrate along with the work-in-process to a production line device for processing to turn the raw materials into a plurality of stacked boards, and to separate the stacked boards; the circuit board production line includes: An unmanned transport vehicle has a lifting mechanism for supporting the base plate; An automatic stacking device for stacking the raw materials on the base plate to form the work to be processed; A docking device for feeding the base plate together with the workpiece into the production line equipment, and for receiving the base plate together with the stacked plates from the production line equipment; A board separation and recycling system for separating laminated boards; The unmanned transport vehicle can move to the automatic stacking device, the docking device, and the board separation and recycling system.

[0009] The advantages of this work are as follows:

[0010] First, by installing automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and equipping each processing unit (i.e., automatic stacking devices, docking devices, and board separation and recycling systems) on the circuit board production line with devices capable of transferring base plates to the AGVs (i.e., AGV transfer platforms, elevators, and AGV feeding transfer devices), logistics operations in the circuit board production line can be performed using AGVs. Since AGVs do not require fixed tracks and can adapt to changes in their movement paths, this invention facilitates easier equipment layout in the factory and increases the flexibility of production process adjustments.

[0011] Secondly, existing production line equipment was not designed with compatibility in mind for automated guided vehicles (AGVs), resulting in a significant height difference between their loading / unloading platforms and the AGVs, making direct material handling impossible. This invention addresses this by incorporating a docking device that enables AGVs to transfer materials with production line equipment. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0012] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the planar configuration of this work. Figure 2 is a plan view of the automatic stacking device of this invention. Figures 3 and 4 are top-view schematic diagrams of the platform of the automatic stacking device of this creation. Figure 5 is a side view of the automatic stacking device of this invention. Figures 6 to 8 are schematic diagrams of the operation of the automatic stacking device of this invention, which uses the platform picking device and the unmanned vehicle transfer platform in conjunction with an unmanned transport vehicle. Figures 9 and 10 are side view schematic diagrams of the transfer mechanism of the automatic stacking device of this invention. Figures 11 to 13 are schematic diagrams of the action of the transfer machine of the automatic stacking device of this invention picking up a raw material. Figure 14 is a top view schematic diagram of another embodiment of the automatic stacking device of this invention. Figure 15 is a top view of the first embodiment of the docking device of this invention. Figure 16 is a front view schematic diagram of the first embodiment of the docking device of this invention. Figures 17 to 20 are side view schematic diagrams of the first embodiment of the docking device of this invention. Figures 17 to 18 show the action of the unmanned transport vehicle moving into the carrier channel of the lifting platform. Figures 18 to 19 show the action of the top cover transfer machine covering the work to be processed with the process top cover. Figures 19 to 20 show the action of the transverse conveying component moving the work to be processed to the feeding platform. Figure 21 is a top view of a second embodiment of the docking device of this invention. Figures 22 to 25 are top-view schematic diagrams of the sheet material separation and recycling system of this invention. Figures 26 to 28 are side view diagrams of the unmanned vehicle feeding and transfer device of the plate separation and recycling system of this invention in conjunction with the unmanned transport vehicle. The side view observation direction is the arrangement direction of the bottom plate translation machine in the second embodiment of this invention. Figures 29 to 32 are schematic diagrams of the forward movement of the bottom plate translation machine of the plate separation and recycling system of this invention. The forward viewing direction is the in-and-out direction of this embodiment. Figures 33 to 37 are side-view schematic diagrams of the bottom plate temporary storage machine of the plate separation and recycling system of this invention. Figure 38 is a flowchart of the method for producing circuit boards based on this invention. Implementation

[0013] Please refer to Figures 1, 10, 17, and 22. The circuit board production line of this invention is used to stack multiple raw materials M on a base plate C1 to form a workpiece B to be processed. It is also used to transport the base plate C1 together with the workpiece B placed on it to a production line device E for processing, transforming the workpiece B into a stacked plurality of boards C, and to separate the stacked boards C. The circuit board production line includes an unmanned transport vehicle V, an automatic stacking device 1, a docking device 60, and a board separation and recycling system 3.

[0014] Please refer to Figures 17 and 26. The aforementioned unmanned transport vehicle V has a lifting mechanism VL, which can support the base plate C1, and thus can transport different materials through the base plate C1.

[0015] Please refer to Figures 2 to 6. The aforementioned automatic stacking device 1 can stack multiple layers of raw materials M on the base plate C1 to form the workpiece B to be processed. The automatic stacking device 1 preferably includes a main conveyor 10, multiple raw material tables 20, multiple transfer machines 30, multiple unmanned vehicle transfer tables 40, and a platform picking device 50.

[0016] The aforementioned main conveyor 10 has a platform 11. The platform 11 can move back and forth along a main path T (as shown in FIG. 2) and can be used to stack raw materials M. The main conveyor 10 can be controlled to move the platform 11 to any of a plurality of working positions P (as shown in FIG. 2) on the main path T. In this embodiment, the main conveyor 10 has two parallel and spaced slide rails 12, along which the platform 11 moves, and the slide rails 12 are arranged along the main path T, so that the platform 11 can move back and forth along the main path T. In other preferred embodiments, the main conveyor 10 may also be an unmanned transport vehicle that can be programmed to move along a predetermined main path T.

[0017] The aforementioned multiple material platforms 20 are arranged along the main path T and can each carry various different raw materials M, including but not limited to: copper foil, prepreg, and metal partitions. In this embodiment, the material platform 20 includes a plurality of first material platforms 21 and a plurality of second material platforms 22. The first material platforms 21 are arranged on one side of the main path T, and the second material platforms 22 are arranged on the other side of the main path T. That is, the material platforms 20 are arranged on both sides of the main path T. The number of material platforms 20 can be increased or decreased according to actual needs.

[0018] Please refer to Figures 2 and 9 to 11. The aforementioned transfer machines 30 are arranged along the main path T and are respectively positioned corresponding to the raw material tables 20. In this embodiment, each transfer machine 30 is positioned corresponding to one of the first raw material tables 21 and one of the second raw material tables 22. Each transfer machine 30 has a gripper 31, a gripping and lifting assembly 32, and a chip-proof disc 33.

[0019] The gripper 31 can grip the raw material M on the corresponding raw material table 20, and the transfer machine 30 can be controlled to move the gripper 31 between the raw material table 20 and a working position P to transfer the raw material M on the raw material table 20 to the carrier 11 located at the working position P. The gripper 31 can grip the raw material M not only by using grippers, but also by using negative pressure adsorption.

[0020] The gripping and lifting assembly 32, also known as the transfer mechanism 30, is used to drive the gripper 31 to move up and down. The gripper 31 is located at the lower end of the gripping and lifting assembly 32 and can be controlled to raise or lower. Specifically, the transfer mechanism 30 is a gantry-type manipulator, which has a gantry-type base, the aforementioned gripping and lifting assembly 32, and the aforementioned gripper 31. The gripping and lifting assembly 32 is horizontally movable on the gantry-type base, and the gripper 31 is located at the lower end of the gripping and lifting assembly 32. A chip-proof disc 33 is located below the gripping and lifting assembly 32 to collect fine chips generated by wear during operation.

[0021] Please refer to Figures 11 to 13. In this embodiment, one of the transfer machines 30 is an adsorption-type transfer machine. The gripper 31 of the adsorption-type transfer machine uses negative pressure adsorption to grip the raw material M. The gripper 31 of the adsorption-type transfer machine has a main body 311, an intermediate suction cup 312, and a plurality of outward-tilting suction cups 313; and preferably also has an intermediate elastic member 314.

[0022] A central suction cup 312 is located on the main body 311, and outward-tilting suction cups 313 are located on both sides of the central suction cup 312, tilting away from the central suction cup 312. Specifically, the outer ends of the outward-tilting suction cups 313 are further away from the central suction cup 312 than the outer ends of the central suction cups 313. The adsorption-type transfer machine uses the central suction cup 312 and the outward-tilting suction cups 313 to adsorb the corresponding raw material M on the raw material platform 20. The tilt of the outward-tilting suction cups 313 causes the raw material M at the outward-tilting suction cup 313 to bend upwards when adsorbing sheet-like raw material M (as shown in Figure 12). This allows air to easily enter between the raw material M to be adsorbed and the next layer of raw material M, thus preventing the next layer of raw material M from being lifted up due to vacuum when the transfer machine 30 grabs the raw material M on the raw material platform 20. It also prevents air bubbles from forming due to poor exhaust when the transfer machine 30 stacks the raw material M on the platform 11.

[0023] In this embodiment, the intermediate suction cup 312 can move up and down relative to the main body 311, the intermediate elastic member 314 pushes downward against the intermediate suction cup 312, and the intermediate suction cup 312 protrudes downward beyond the outward-tilting suction cup 313 (as shown in Figures 10 and 12). The outward-tilting suction cups 313 are preferably spaced along the periphery of the main body 311, and in embodiments where the main body 311 is square, the outward-tilting suction cups 313 are preferably located at the four corners of the main body 311.

[0024] Referring to Figures 2 and 6 to 8, the aforementioned unmanned vehicle transfer platform 40 is located next to one of the working positions P on the main path T. Each transfer platform 40 has a transfer frame 41 whose height corresponds to the lifting mechanism VL of an unmanned transport vehicle V, allowing the transfer frame 41 to support the base plate C1 on the lifting mechanism VL. Specifically, the lifting mechanism VL of the unmanned transport vehicle V can raise or lower the height of the base plate C1 within a certain height range. The transfer frame 41 corresponding to the height of the lifting mechanism VL means that the height of the transfer frame is within the height range of the lifting mechanism VL. Therefore, the unmanned transport vehicle V can lift the base plate C1 and move it above the transfer frame 41. Then, the lifting mechanism VL lowers, causing the base plate C1 to fall onto the transfer frame 41 (as shown in Figure 7).

[0025] The aforementioned platform material handling device 50 is mounted on the platform 11 of the main conveyor 10 and includes a transverse component 51 and a material handling lifting component 52. The transverse component 51 is mounted on the platform 11 and has a material handling seat 511.

[0026] The lateral movement component 51 can be controlled to move the picking seat 511 laterally, and in this embodiment, the picking seat 511 can be moved laterally to below the transfer frame 41 of any unmanned vehicle transfer platform 40. The picking lifting component 52 is disposed on the platform 11 and can be controlled to raise the picking seat 511 of the lateral movement component 51 above the corresponding transfer frame 41 to obtain the base plate C1 from the transfer frame 41 (as shown in FIG. 8), and can be controlled to lower the picking seat 511 below the corresponding transfer frame 41.

[0027] In this embodiment, the material lifting assembly 52 is disposed on the platform 11. The transverse assembly 51 is disposed on the material lifting assembly 52 so that the entire transverse assembly 51 can be raised or lowered by the material lifting assembly 52.

[0028] When the automated stacking device 1 is in operation, it first transfers the base plate C1 to the automated vehicle transfer station 40 in conjunction with the automated guided vehicle (AGV). Next, the platform picking device 50 transfers the base plate C1 onto the platform 11 and automatically moves it to the material platform 20 where the raw material M is to be stacked. Then, the transfer machine 30 uses its gripper 31 to pick up the raw material M from the material platform 20 and stack it onto the base plate C1 on the platform 11, completing the stacking of the first raw material M. Next, the device continues to stack the raw materials M from other material platforms 20 onto the base plate C1 using the platform 11 and the transfer machine 30, until all raw materials M are stacked, thus completing the stacking operation. After the stacking operation is completed, the AGV transfer station 40, in conjunction with the AGV, can reverse the operation to transfer the base plate C1 along with the workpiece B to the AGV, and then the AGV transports the workpiece B to the docking device 60 for subsequent processing.

[0029] Please refer to Figure 3. In the first embodiment of this invention, an unmanned vehicle transfer station 40 is provided on each side of one end of the main conveyor 10. The bottom plate C1 is fed into one of the unmanned vehicle transfer stations 40 and discharged from the other unmanned vehicle transfer station 40 after stacking.

[0030] Please refer to Figure 14. In another embodiment of this invention, the two unmanned vehicle transfer stations 40 are respectively set at both ends of the main conveyor 10, but located on the same side of the main conveyor 10. In this way, they can also be used to automatically load and unload materials with the unmanned transport vehicle V, and the automatic stacking device 1 can be flexibly changed to adapt to the production line space conditions.

[0031] Please refer to Figures 15 to 17. The aforementioned docking device 60 is used to feed the base plate C1 together with the workpiece B into the production line equipment E, and to receive the base plate C1 together with the stacked plate C located on it from the production line equipment E. The docking device 60 preferably includes two elevators 61, two transverse conveyor assemblies 62, a top cover placement platform 63, and a top cover transfer machine 64.

[0032] One elevator 61 is positioned corresponding to a feeding platform E1 of production line equipment E, and the other elevator 61 is positioned corresponding to a discharging platform E2 of production line equipment E. Here, "positional correspondence" refers to their horizontal proximity. In this embodiment, the production line equipment has independent feeding platforms E1 and discharging platforms E2 (which can be considered as two feeding and discharging platforms), therefore, the number of elevators 61 and horizontal conveying components 62 is two each. In the second embodiment of this invention (as shown in Figure 21), when the cooperating production line equipment E has only a single feeding and discharging platform E3, the number of elevators 61 and horizontal conveying components 62 is one each, with the elevator 61 positioned corresponding to the feeding and discharging platform E3.

[0033] Each elevator 61 has a lifting platform 611. The lifting platform 611 is used to carry the object B to be processed and forms a carrier passage 612 (as shown in Figure 15). The carrier passage 612 extends vertically through the lifting platform 611 and forms a carrier opening 613 on one side of the lifting platform 611. The width W1 of the carrier passage 612 (as shown in Figure 15) is narrower than the width W2 of the base plate C1 (as shown in Figure 15).

[0034] Please refer to Figures 17 to 19. The elevator 61 can be controlled to raise or lower the lifting platform 611, thereby aligning the height of the lifting platform 611 with the corresponding feed platform E1 or discharge platform E2 (as shown in Figure 19). The elevator 61 can also be controlled to raise or lower the lifting platform 611, thereby aligning the height of the automated guided vehicle (AGV) with the AGV's height (as shown in Figures 17 and 18). This height alignment refers to the AGV's ability to enter the vehicle passageway 612 when loaded with the base plate C1 and the workpiece B. Specifically, the platform height of the lifting platform 611 is slightly lower than the top height of the lifting mechanism VL on the AGV.

[0035] Please refer to Figures 15, 19, and 20. The two transverse conveying components 62 mentioned above are respectively installed on the two lifting platforms 611 of the two elevators 61. Each transverse conveying component 62 has at least one power transfer member 621. The at least one power transfer member 621 can move the base plate C1 laterally on the lifting platform 611 (as shown in Figures 19 and 20), thereby moving the workpiece B to be processed from the lifting platform 611 to the feeding platform E1 of the production line equipment E, or moving the processed plate C to the discharge platform E2 of the production line equipment E onto the lifting platform 611.

[0036] In this embodiment, the number of powered transfer components 621 is multiple, and each powered transfer component 621 is a controllable rotating roller. The powered transfer components 621 are arranged on both sides of the vehicle channel 612.

[0037] Please refer to Figures 15, 18, and 19. The aforementioned cover placement platform 63 can hold multiple process covers B1. In this embodiment, the production line equipment E is a hot press. Before the workpiece B enters the hot press, it must be covered with a process cover B1 before the hot pressing operation can be performed.

[0038] Each of the aforementioned cover transfer machines 64 has a cover gripper 641, which can grip one of the process covers B1 on the cover placement platform 63. The cover transfer machine 64 can be controlled to move the cover gripper 641 between the cover placement platform 63 and the two lifting platforms 611 of the two elevators 61 to cover one of the process covers B1 onto the workpiece B on the lifting platform 611 corresponding to the feeding platform E1, and can transfer the process cover B1 on the lifting platform 611 corresponding to the discharge platform E2 to the cover placement platform 63 for later use. In this embodiment, the cover transfer machine 64 is a robotic arm and the cover gripper 641 is a gripper, both of which are standard components of the prior art.

[0039] Please refer to Figures 15, 17, and 18. The lifting mechanism VL of the aforementioned unmanned transport vehicle V is used to support the base plate C1 and can move into the vehicle channel 612 via the vehicle opening 613 of the lifting platform 611. In this embodiment, the width W3 of the lifting mechanism VL of the unmanned transport vehicle V (as shown in Figure 1) is narrower than the width W1 of the vehicle channel 612. Therefore, when the height of the lifting platform 611 corresponds to the lifting mechanism VL, the unmanned transport vehicle V can enter the vehicle channel 612.

[0040] The docking device 60 is preferably used in conjunction with the hot press (i.e., production line equipment E). The automated guided vehicle V obtains the base plate C1 and the workpiece B stacked on it and awaiting hot pressing from the aforementioned automated stacking device 1. After the lifting platform 611 lowers to a height slightly lower than the base plate C1, the automated guided vehicle V moves into the carrier channel 612. Then, the lifting platform 611 raises the base plate C1 to the height of the feeding platform E1, and the transverse conveying assembly 62 moves the base plate C1 together with the workpiece B to the feeding platform E1.

[0041] After the material B is hot-pressed into multiple stacked plates C inside the production line equipment E, it is transferred by the production line equipment E to the unloading station E2. At this time, the lifting platform 611 and the transverse conveying component 62 corresponding to the unloading station E2 will work together to transfer the hot-pressed plates C together with the base plate C1 to the unmanned transport vehicle V, and then the unmanned transport vehicle V will transport it to the board separation and recycling system 3 for subsequent processing.

[0042] Please refer to Figures 22 to 24. The board separation and recycling system 3 is used to separate multiple stacked boards C. The multiple stacked boards C preferably include tightly stacked semi-finished circuit boards, kraft paper, and metal separators. The board separation and recycling system 3 preferably includes a board removal workbench 10A, a multiple board support platform 20A, a board removal machine 30A, a bottom board temporary storage machine 40A, two bottom board translation machines 50A, and an unmanned vehicle feeding and transfer device 61A.

[0043] The aforementioned disassembly worktable 10A can support the base plate C1 along with the plates C located on it. The aforementioned disassembly machine 30A has a disassembly gripper 31A, which can separate and grip the uppermost plate C among multiple stacked plates C. The disassembly machine 30A can be controlled to move the disassembly gripper 31A between the disassembly worktable 10A and each plate support platform 20A to separate the multiple stacked plates C from each other and place them on the multiple plate support platforms 20A respectively (as shown in Figure 24). In this embodiment, the disassembly machine 30A is a robotic arm, and the disassembly gripper 31A is a gripper; both are standard components of the prior art, so their details will not be described further.

[0044] Please refer to Figures 22, 23, and 26 to 28. In this embodiment, the stacked plate C is obtained by the automated guided vehicle (AGV) from the docking device 60 of the previous process. Then, the AGV feeding transfer device 61A transfers the base plate C1 along with the stacked plate C from the AGV to the depaneling worktable 10A. The following describes the relevant structure for transferring the stacked plate C from the AGV feeding transfer device 61A to the depaneling worktable 10A.

[0045] The aforementioned unmanned vehicle feeding and transfer device 61A is located next to the dismantling workbench 10A and includes a dock frame 611A and a translation conveyor assembly 612A. The dock frame 611A is at the same height as the dismantling workbench 10A and can support the plate C. Specifically, the dock frame 611A is flush with the bottom plate support platform 41A, but their heights are not necessarily identical; it is sufficient that the bottom plate C1 can be moved from the bottom plate support platform 41A to the dock frame 611A.

[0046] The dock frame 611A has a vehicle passage 6111A (as shown in Figure 22) that runs vertically through the dock frame 611A, and a vehicle opening 6112A (as shown in Figure 22) is formed on one side of the dock frame 611A. In this embodiment, the dock frame 611A is a U-shaped frame, and the vehicle passage 6111A is formed between two opposing elongated sides. The width W4 of the vehicle passage 6111A (as shown in Figure 22) is narrower than the width of the base plate C1. Therefore, the dock frame 611A uses the elongated sides of the vehicle passage 6111A to support the base plate C1.

[0047] A translational conveying assembly 612A is disposed on a dock frame 611A and has at least one powered transfer member 6121A, which enables the plate C to be translated on the dock frame 611A. In this embodiment, the number of powered transfer members 6121A is multiple, each powered transfer member 6121A is a roller, and multiple powered transfer members 6121A (rollers) are respectively arranged on both sides of the carrier channel 6111A.

[0048] The aforementioned unmanned transport vehicle V can move into the carrier passage 6111A of the quay rack 611A and has a lifting mechanism VL capable of carrying the base plate C1. The unmanned transport vehicle V can be controlled to lower the lifting mechanism VL below or raise it above the quay rack 611A. In this way, when transporting the base plate C1, the unmanned transport vehicle V first raises the lifting mechanism VL and moves it through the carrier opening 6112A into the carrier passage 6111A (as shown in Figure 27), and then lowers the lifting mechanism VL in the carrier passage 6111A to transfer the base plate C1 to the quay rack 611A (as shown in Figure 28). Finally, the translational conveying assembly 612A moves the base plate C1 from the quay rack 611A to the depaneling worktable 10A (as shown in Figures 23 and 24).

[0049] Please refer to Figures 24 and 25. In this embodiment, after the base plate C1 is disassembled, it is sent to the base plate temporary storage machine 40A for storage. When needed, it is returned to the automatic stacking device 1 by the unmanned transport vehicle V. Therefore, when only the base plate C1 remains on the disassembly worktable 10A, the disassembly machine 30A will not transfer the base plate C1 to the board support platform 20A. Instead, the base plate translation machine 50A will send the base plate C1 to the base plate temporary storage machine 40A for storage (as shown in Figure 25). When the automatic stacking device 1 needs to be used, the base plate temporary storage machine 40A can hand over the stored base plate C1 to the unmanned transport vehicle V for delivery to the automatic stacking device 1. The following describes the relevant structure of the base plate translation machine 50A sending the base plate C1 to the base plate temporary storage machine 40A.

[0050] Please refer to Figures 22 and 29 to 32. The two aforementioned base plate translation machines 50A are respectively installed on a base plate support platform 41A of the dismantling worktable 10A and the base plate temporary storage machine 40A. They can move upwards and protrude from the dismantling worktable 10A and the base plate support platform 41A (as shown in Figures 29 to 30), and can also move downwards and retract into the dismantling worktable 10A and the base plate support platform 41A. The two base plate translation machines 50A preferably move up and down synchronously, but this is not a limitation.

[0051] When the base plate translator 50A located on the dismantling worktable 10A moves upward, it lifts the base plate C1 located on the dismantling worktable 10A (as shown in Figure 30), and can move the lifted base plate C1 to the base plate translator 50A located on the base plate support platform 41A (as shown in Figure 31). Then, the base plate translator 50A moves downward to transfer the base plate C1 to the base plate support platform 41A (as shown in Figure 32). In this embodiment, each base plate translator 50A has multiple powered rollers 51A, and the powered rollers 51A are used to move the base plate C1 between the two base plate translators 50A. In addition, multiple rollers (not shown in the figure) are preferably provided between the two base plate translators 50A to assist the base plate C1 in moving between the two base plate translators 50A.

[0052] The following describes the structure of the base plate temporary storage machine 40A storing the base plate C1, and when the front-end process needs to use the stored base plate C1, it is delivered to the front-end process by the unmanned transport vehicle V.

[0053] Please refer to Figures 22, 32, 33, and 35. The aforementioned base plate temporary storage machine 40A, in addition to the base plate support platform 41A, also includes an outer frame 42A and a storage rack 43A. The base plate support platform 41A is adjacent to the disassembly worktable 10A and can support the base plate C1. The storage rack 43A is vertically movable within the outer frame 42A (as shown in Figures 33 and 35) and forms a plurality of base plate storage compartments 431A. The base plate storage compartments 431A are spaced vertically, and each base plate storage compartment 431A can support one base plate C1. Specifically, the two side walls of the storage rack 43A each protrude towards each other, forming a plurality of vertically spaced support plates 432A. Each base plate storage compartment 431A includes two support plates 432A of corresponding height, and the distance between the two support plates 432A is narrower than the width of the base plate C1, thereby allowing the two support plates 432A to support the opposite sides of the base plate C1 respectively.

[0054] Please refer to Figures 22 and 33 to 37. The base plate support platform 41A can be moved out of or into the storage rack 43A along an in / out direction D, thereby moving the base plate C1 on the base plate support platform 41A out of or into one of the base plate storage compartments 431A. Therefore, the movement of the base plate support platform 41A combined with the up-and-down movement of the storage rack 43A can transfer the base plate C1 from the base plate support platform 41A to the storage rack 43A.

[0055] Specifically, after the base plate C1 is transferred to the base plate support platform 41A (as shown in Figure 33), the base plate support platform 41A first moves out of the storage rack 43A (as shown in Figure 34). Next, the storage rack 43A moves down until the height of the uppermost available base plate storage cell 431A corresponds to the base plate support platform 41A (as shown in Figure 35). Then, the base plate support platform 41A moves into the storage rack 43A, so that the base plate C1 is located in the base plate storage cell 431A (as shown in Figure 36). At this time, the storage rack 43A can then move upward to transfer the base plate C1 from the base plate support platform 41A to the base plate storage cell 431A (as shown in Figure 37).

[0056] When the previous process requires the use of the base plate C1, the base plate support platform 41A and the storage rack 43A are executed in reverse order to transfer the base plate C1 from the base plate storage cell 431A to the base plate support platform 41A. In this embodiment, the base plate support platform 41A has the same function as the aforementioned dock rack 611A, which can transfer the base plate C1 to the unmanned transport vehicle V.

[0057] Please refer to Figures 22 and 32. Specifically, a carrier channel 411A is formed on the base plate support platform 41A (as shown in Figure 22). The carrier channel 411A extends vertically through the base plate support platform 41A, and a carrier opening 412A is formed on one side of the base plate support platform 41A (as shown in Figure 22). The width W5 of the carrier channel 411A (as shown in Figure 22) is narrower than the width of the base plate C1. The unmanned transport vehicle V can move into the carrier channel 411A of the base plate support platform 41A and transfer the base plate C1 from the base plate support platform 41A to the lifting mechanism VL of the unmanned transport vehicle V by the lifting action of its lifting mechanism VL. The specific method is the same as that for transferring the plate C from the unmanned vehicle feeding transfer device 61A to the plate dismantling worktable 10A, but the steps are reversed, so it will not be described again here.

[0058] When the sheet material separation and recycling system 3 is in operation, the unmanned transport vehicle V automatically transports the material (layered sheet material C) pressed by the production line equipment E to the unmanned transport vehicle feeding transfer device 61A, and then transfers the layered sheet material C to the depaneling worktable 10A via the unmanned transport vehicle feeding transfer device 61A. Next, the depaneling machine 30A separates the sheet material C and places them on the sheet material support platform 20A. When only the bottom sheet C1 remains on the depaneling worktable 10A, the bottom sheet transfer machine 50A sends the bottom sheet C1 to the bottom sheet temporary storage machine 40A and stores it in the storage rack 43A, thus completing the processing of a single material. This invention can continue to process subsequent materials from the previous process and store multiple bottom sheets C1 in the storage rack 43A. When the current process needs to use the bottom sheet C1, the unmanned transport vehicle V, in conjunction with the bottom sheet support platform 41A, retrieves the bottom sheet C1 from the storage rack 43A and transports the bottom sheet C1 to the previous process for reuse.

[0059] By setting up a base plate storage machine 40A and an unmanned transport vehicle V, the sheet metal separation and recycling system 3 can store multiple base plates C1 and dynamically provide base plates C1 according to the needs of the upstream process, which can increase the flexibility and convenience of production management. In addition, the number of unmanned transport vehicles V can be one, but this invention can also have multiple unmanned transport vehicles V used together.

[0060] Please refer to Figure 38 for details. The method for manufacturing circuit boards according to this invention includes the following steps: loading into the stacking area (S1), stacking operation and unloading (S2), loading into the hot pressing area (S3), pressing operation and unloading (S4), and loading into the depaneling area (S5); and in this embodiment, it further includes a depaneling operation and unloading step (S6).

[0061] Stacking Area Loading (S1): Please refer to Figures 6 to 8. The lifting mechanism VL of the aforementioned unmanned transport vehicle V carries the base plate C1 and delivers the base plate C1 to the automated stacking device 1. Specifically, the lifting mechanism VL is raised above the transfer frame 41 of one of the unmanned vehicle transfer platforms 40 of the automated stacking device 1, the unmanned transport vehicle V is moved to the transfer frame 41, and then the lifting mechanism VL is lowered below the transfer frame 41 to transfer the base plate C1 onto the transfer frame 41.

[0062] Stacking and unloading (S2): The automatic stacking device 1 stacks multiple raw materials M on the base plate C1 to form the work to be processed B. Then, the base plate C1 and the work to be processed B are transferred to the lifting mechanism VL of the unmanned transport vehicle V. Specifically, the base plate C1 and the work to be processed B are transferred to the lifting mechanism VL of the unmanned transport vehicle V by a transfer frame 41 of another unmanned vehicle transfer platform 40 of the automatic stacking device 1.

[0063] Hot pressing zone loading (S3): The unmanned transport vehicle V is moved to the docking device 60, which sends the base plate C1 along with the workpiece B to be processed into the production line equipment E. Specifically, the unmanned transport vehicle V is moved to the carrier channel 612 of the lifting platform 611 of one of the elevators 61 of the docking device 60, and then the lifting platform 611 is raised to transfer the base plate C1 along with the workpiece B to be processed onto the lifting platform 611. Then the lifting platform 611 is raised or lowered to a feeding platform E1 with a height corresponding to that of the production line equipment E, and the base plate C1 along with the workpiece B to be processed is transferred to the feeding platform E1.

[0064] Pressing and unloading (S4): The workpiece B to be processed is heated and pressed into a stacked plurality of plates C by production line equipment E, and the bottom plate C1 along with the plates C is transferred to the unmanned transport vehicle V by docking device 60. Specifically, the workpiece B to be processed is heated and pressed into a stacked plurality of plates C by production line equipment E and placed on the discharge platform E2 of production line equipment E. Then, the lifting platform 611 of another elevator 61 of docking device 60 is raised or lowered to the height corresponding to the discharge platform E2, and the bottom plate C1 along with the plates C is transferred to the corresponding lifting platform 611. The unmanned transport vehicle V is moved to the carrier channel 612 below the lifting platform 611 carrying the plates C and positioned corresponding to the lifting platform 611, and then the lifting platform 611 is lowered to transfer the bottom plate C1 along with the plates C to the unmanned transport vehicle V.

[0065] Loading the sheet metal removal area (S5): The automated guided vehicle V is moved to the sheet metal separation and recycling system 3, which separates the stacked sheet metal C. Specifically, the automated guided vehicle V is moved to the carrier passage 6111A of the dock frame 611A of the sheet metal separation and recycling system 3, and then the lifting mechanism VL is lowered below the dock frame 611A to transfer the bottom plate C1 along with the sheet metal C onto the dock frame 611A. After that, the sheet metal separation and recycling system 3 separates the stacked sheet metal C.

[0066] Disassembly and unloading (S6): The disassembly machine 30A separates the plates C from each other, and then transfers the bottom plate C1 to one of the multiple bottom plate storage compartments 431A of the storage rack 43A; after receiving a request for bottom plate C1, the bottom plate C1 in one of the bottom plate storage compartments 431A of the storage rack 43A is transferred to the bottom plate support platform 41A, and then the unmanned transport vehicle V is moved to the carrier passage 6111A of the bottom plate support platform 41A, and then the lifting mechanism VL is raised to transfer the bottom plate C1 to the unmanned transport vehicle V.

[0067] In summary, this invention utilizes an automated guided vehicle (AGV) and incorporates equipment (AGV transfer platform 40, elevator 61, and AGV feeding transfer device 61A) in each processing unit of the circuit board production line (i.e., automatic stacking device 1, docking device 60, and board separation and recycling system 3) to facilitate the exchange of receiving boards C1 with the AGV. This allows for efficient logistics operations within the circuit board production line via the AGV. Since the AGV does not require fixed tracks and can adapt to changes in its movement path, this invention facilitates easy equipment layout in the factory and increases the flexibility of production process adjustments.

[0068] Furthermore, the existing production line equipment E was not designed with compatibility in mind for the automated guided vehicle (AGV), resulting in a significant height difference between its loading / unloading platform and the AGV, making direct handover of the base plate C1 impossible. This invention, by incorporating a docking device 60, can significantly raise or lower the base plate C1, enabling the AGV to hand over materials to the production line equipment E.

[0069] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this invention and is not intended to limit this invention in any way. Although this invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit this invention. Anyone skilled in the art can make some modifications or alterations to the disclosed technical content to create equivalent embodiments without departing from the scope of this invention. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes, and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of this invention without departing from the scope of this invention shall still fall within the scope of this invention.

[0070] 1: Automatic stacking device 3: Board Separation and Recycling System 10: Main Conveyor 11: Platform 12: Slide rail 20: Raw Material Table 21: First Raw Material Platform 22: Second Raw Material Platform 30: Transfer machine 31: Grabber 311: Main Body 312: Center suction cup 313: Outward tilting suction cup 314: Intermediate elastic element 32: Grab and lift assembly 33: Anti-chip disc 40: Unmanned vehicle transfer station 41: Adapter 50: Platform material handling device 51: Lateral Shift Component 511: Material Picking Stand 52: Material handling lifting assembly 60: Docking device 61: Elevator 611: Lifting Platform 612: Vehicle Access 613: Vehicle opening 62: Lateral Conveyor Component 621: Dynamic transfer component 63: Top cover placement platform 64: Top Cover Transfer Machine 641: Top Cover Grabber 10A: Panel disassembly workbench 20A: Plate support platform 30A: Board Removal Machine 31A: Panel Removal Gripper 40A: Base Plate Temporary Storage Machine 41A: Base plate bearing platform 411A: Vehicle Access 412A: Vehicle opening 42A: Outer frame 43A: Storage rack 431A: Base plate storage compartment 432A: Support plate 50A: Base Plate Translation Machine 51A: Powered roller 61A: Unmanned Vehicle Feeding Transfer Device 611A: Dock support 6111A: Vehicle Access 6112A: Vehicle opening 612A: Translation Conveyor Assembly 6121A: Dynamic transfer component M: Raw materials B: Items to be processed B1: Process Cover C: Plate C1: Base Plate D: Direction of entry and exit E: Production line equipment E1: Feeding Platform E2: Discharge Platform E3: Feed / Discharge Platform P: Work location T: Main Path V: Unmanned transport vehicle VL: Lifting mechanism W1: Width W2: Width W3: Width W4: Width W5: Width

Claims

1. A circuit board production line for stacking a plurality of raw materials on a substrate to form a work-in-process, for conveying the substrate together with the work-in-process to a production line device for processing to form a plurality of laminated boards from the raw materials, and for separating the laminated boards; the circuit board production line comprises: an automated guided vehicle having a lifting mechanism for carrying the substrate; an automated stacking device for stacking the raw materials on the substrate to form the work-in-process; a docking device for feeding the substrate together with the work-in-process into the production line device, and for receiving the substrate together with the laminated boards from the production line device; and a board separation and recycling system for separating the laminated boards; wherein, The unmanned transport vehicle can move to the automated stacking device, the docking device, and the sheet material separation and recycling system.

2. The circuit board production line as described in claim 1, wherein the automated stacking device comprises: a plurality of automated guided vehicle (AGV) transfer stations, each AGV transfer station having a transfer frame at a height aligned with the lifting mechanism of the AGV, such that the transfer frame is used to receive the base plate on the lifting mechanism; the docking device comprises: two lifts, one of which is positioned aligned with a feed platform of the production line equipment, and the other of which is positioned aligned with a discharge platform of the production line equipment, each lift having a lifting platform; the lifting platform is used to carry the base plate and forms a carrier passage; the carrier passage extends vertically through the lifting platform and forms a carrier opening on one side of the lifting platform; the width of the carrier passage is narrower than the width of the base plate, and allows the AGV to move into the carrier passage via the carrier opening of the lifting platform; wherein... Each of the lifting platforms can be controlled to raise or lower the lifting platform, thereby aligning the height of the lifting platform with the corresponding feeding platform or discharging platform; wherein, each of the lifting platforms can be controlled to raise or lower the lifting platform, thereby aligning the height of the lifting platform with the unmanned transport vehicle; the sheet metal separation and recycling system includes: a sheet metal dismantling platform for supporting the bottom sheet; an unmanned transport vehicle feeding and transfer device disposed beside the sheet metal dismantling platform and having a dock frame whose height corresponds to the sheet metal dismantling platform and is used to support the bottom sheet; the dock frame forms a carrier passage; the carrier passage extends vertically through the dock frame and forms a carrier opening on one side of the dock frame; the width of the carrier passage of the dock frame is narrower than the width of the bottom sheet; The unmanned transport vehicle can move through the vehicle opening of the dock frame to the corresponding vehicle channel, and can be controlled to raise the lifting mechanism above or lower the dock frame, thereby transferring the base plate and the plates from the lifting mechanism to the dock frame.

3. The circuit board production line as described in claim 2, wherein the automated stacking apparatus further comprises: a main conveyor having a platform movable back and forth along a main path and used to carry the base plate; wherein, The main conveyor is controllable to move the platform to any of the multiple working positions on the main path; a plurality of raw material platforms are arranged along the main path and are used to carry the raw materials; a plurality of transfer machines are arranged along the main path and are positioned corresponding to the raw material platforms; each transfer machine has a gripper for gripping the raw material on the corresponding raw material platform; wherein the transfer machine is controllable to move the gripper between the raw material platform and one of the working positions to transfer the raw material on the raw material platform to the platform located at the working position; a platform picking device is disposed on the platform of the main conveyor and includes a traverse assembly disposed on the platform and having a picking seat; the picking seat is controllable to move under the transfer frame of any of the unmanned vehicle transfer stations; A material handling lifting assembly is disposed on the platform and is controllable to raise the material handling seat of the transverse assembly above the corresponding transfer frame and controllable to lower the material handling seat below the corresponding transfer frame.

4. The circuit board production line as described in claim 2 or 3, wherein the docking device further comprises: two transverse conveying assemblies respectively disposed on the two lifting platforms of the two elevators, each transverse conveying assembly having at least one power transfer member; the at least one power transfer member is used to move the base plate laterally on the lifting platform, thereby moving the base plate together with the work to be processed from the lifting platform to the feed table of the production line equipment, or moving the base plate together with the boards from the discharge table of the production line equipment to the lifting platform.

5. The circuit board production line as described in claim 4, wherein the number of the at least one power transfer member of each of the transverse conveying components of the docking device is multiple, and each power transfer member is a roller.

6. The circuit board production line as claimed in claim 5, wherein the power transfer components of each of the transverse conveying assemblies of the docking device are respectively arranged on both sides of the carrier passage of the corresponding lifting platform.

7. The circuit board production line as described in claim 2 or 3, wherein the docking device further comprises: a cover placement platform for carrying a plurality of process covers; a cover transfer machine; each of the cover transfer machines having a cover gripper for gripping one of the process covers on the cover placement platform; wherein, The cover transfer machine can be controlled to move the cover gripper between the cover placement platform and the two lifting platforms of the two lifts so that one of the process covers can be placed on the work to be processed on the lifting platform corresponding to the feed platform, and the process cover on the lifting platform corresponding to the discharge platform can be transferred to the cover placement platform.

8. The circuit board production line as described in claim 2 or 3, wherein the board separation and recycling system further includes a base plate storage machine, the base plate storage machine having: a base plate support platform adjacent to the disassembly worktable and used to support the base plate; an outer frame; a storage rack movably disposed within the outer frame and forming a plurality of base plate storage compartments, the base plate storage compartments being spaced apart vertically, each base plate storage compartment being used to support one base plate; wherein, The storage rack can be moved up and down until the height of any of the base plate storage compartments corresponds to the base plate support platform; the base plate support platform can be moved out of or into the storage rack in an in-out direction, thereby moving the base plate on the base plate support platform out of or into one of the base plate storage compartments.

9. The circuit board production line as described in claim 8, wherein the base plate support platform of the base plate temporary storage machine forms a carrier channel; the carrier channel extends vertically through the base plate support platform and forms a carrier opening on one side of the base plate support platform; the width of the carrier channel of the base plate support platform is narrower than the width of the base plate; the unmanned transport vehicle can move through the carrier opening of the base plate support platform to the corresponding carrier channel; the unmanned transport vehicle can be controlled to lower the lifting mechanism below the base plate support platform or raise it above the base plate support platform, thereby transferring the base plate on the base plate support platform from the base plate support platform to the lifting mechanism.

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