A tin paste feeding unit and a printing machine

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of printing equipment, and discloses a tin paste feeding unit and a printing machine, which comprise a tin feeding platform, wherein the tin feeding platform is used for conveying a tin paste box; the tin paste box comprises a box body provided with a hole sealing plug at the bottom and a box cover located at the top of the box body; a first clamping jaw is used for clamping and fixing the box body; an opening cover mechanical hand is located between the tin feeding platform and the first clamping jaw, is used for transferring the tin paste box from the tin feeding platform to the first clamping jaw, and after the first clamping jaw clamps the box body, twists the box cover upward; a second clamping jaw is located below the first clamping jaw and is used for clamping the hole sealing plug; a plug pulling mechanical hand is used for lifting the box body upward after the second clamping jaw clamps the hole sealing plug, so that the hole sealing plug is separated from the box body. The tin paste feeding unit and the printing machine provided by the present application can realize mechanical tin feeding operation, thereby reducing the labor cost and improving the production efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of printing equipment technology, and more particularly to a solder paste feeding unit and a printing machine. Background Technology

[0002] A soldering press is a precision device commonly used in the electronics manufacturing industry, primarily used to print solder paste onto printed circuit boards (PCBs). Generally, solder paste is stored in a solder paste container. Specifically, the container includes a box body with a sealing plug at the bottom and a lid threaded onto the top of the box body, with the solder paste stored within the container.

[0003] Current printing presses lack the functionality to open the box lid and remove the sealing plug. Therefore, when the printing press is almost empty, workers must manually unscrew the box lid and then pull the sealing plug downwards to create a solder outlet at the bottom of the box (solder paste has a high viscosity and will not flow downwards through the outlet without pressure; the printing press then forces the solder paste out of the box). Finally, the box with the lid open and the plug removed is placed on the printing press. Manual soldering is not only labor-intensive but also inefficient.

[0004] Therefore, this invention aims to improve existing printing presses to solve the problem of their inability to automatically add solder.

[0005] The information disclosed in this background section is included only to enhance the understanding of the context of this disclosure, and therefore may contain information that does not constitute prior art known to those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0006] One objective of this invention is to provide a solder paste feeding unit and a printing machine that can realize mechanized solder feeding operations, thereby reducing labor costs and improving production efficiency.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a solder paste feeding unit and a printing machine, comprising:

[0008] A soldering platform for conveying solder paste containers; wherein the solder paste container includes a container body with a sealing plug at the bottom and a lid located at the top of the container body;

[0009] The first gripper is used to hold and fix the box body;

[0010] A lid-opening robot is located between the solder infeed platform and the first gripper. It is used to transfer the solder paste box from the solder infeed platform to the first gripper, and after the first gripper holds the box, it twists the lid upward.

[0011] The second gripper, located below the first gripper, is used to grip the sealing plug;

[0012] A plug-removing robot is used to lift the box body upward after the second gripper holds the sealing plug, so that the sealing plug is removed from the box body.

[0013] Optionally, the solder feeding platform includes a feeding assembly for placing solder paste boxes and a first linear drive mechanism for driving the feeding assembly to move closer to or away from the opening robot in a horizontal first direction.

[0014] Optionally, the feeding assembly includes a feeding plate for placing solder paste trays and a second linear drive mechanism for driving the feeding plate to move closer to or away from the first linear drive mechanism in a horizontal second direction.

[0015] Wherein, the first direction and the second direction are perpendicular to each other.

[0016] Optionally, the feed plate is provided with several feeding and positioning slots for placing solder paste boxes.

[0017] Optionally, the lid-opening robotic arm includes:

[0018] Take-out section;

[0019] A rotary drive mechanism, wherein the drive end of the rotary drive mechanism is fixedly connected to the picking part, and drives the picking part to rotate around a vertical axis;

[0020] A third linear drive mechanism, the drive end of which is connected to the rotary drive mechanism, drives the rotary drive mechanism to move up and down;

[0021] A fourth linear drive mechanism, the drive end of which is connected to the third linear drive mechanism, drives the third linear drive mechanism to reciprocate between the solder feeding platform and the first gripper.

[0022] Optionally, the grasping part is a suction cup or a gripper.

[0023] Optionally, the plug-removing manipulator includes:

[0024] The third gripper;

[0025] The fifth linear drive mechanism has its drive end connected to the third gripper, which drives the third gripper to move up and down.

[0026] A sixth linear drive mechanism, the drive end of which is connected to the fifth linear drive mechanism, drives the fifth linear drive mechanism to reciprocate in the horizontal direction.

[0027] On the other hand, a printing press is provided, comprising:

[0028] Any of the solder paste feeding units described above;

[0029] The soldering unit is used to receive the box sent by the solder paste feeding unit and squeeze the solder paste in the box downwards.

[0030] Optionally, the tin-adding unit includes:

[0031] The L-shaped plate includes a vertical part and a horizontal part, wherein the horizontal part is provided with a solder positioning groove for accommodating the box body;

[0032] A solder pressing assembly, which is slidably connected to the vertical part, is used to press the solder paste out of the housing downwards;

[0033] A seventh linear drive mechanism, the drive end of which is connected to the solder pressing assembly;

[0034] The soldering assembly has a soldering state in which it is driven forward by the seventh linear drive mechanism and moves to the position directly above the soldering positioning groove, and a avoidance state in which it is driven backward by the seventh linear drive mechanism and moves away from the position directly above the soldering positioning groove.

[0035] Optionally, the soldering assembly includes a soldering plate for entering the housing and an eighth linear drive mechanism for driving the soldering plate to move up and down.

[0036] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: It provides a solder paste feeding unit and printing machine, which realizes automatic opening and plug removal of solder paste boxes through the coordinated work of components such as the solder feeding platform, the cap opening robot, and the plug removal robot, thereby reducing manual operation and improving the automation level and production efficiency of the production line. Attached Figure Description

[0037] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0038] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the printing press provided in the embodiment;

[0039] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A magnified view of a portion of point A in the middle.

[0040] In the picture:

[0041] 100. Solder paste loading unit; 200. Solder adding unit; 300. Box body; 400. Box lid;

[0042] 1. Tin feeding platform; 101. First linear drive mechanism; 102. Feeding plate; 1021. Feeding positioning slot; 103. Second linear drive mechanism;

[0043] 2. First gripper;

[0044] 3. Opening robot arm; 301. Picking and holding part; 302. Rotary drive mechanism; 303. Third linear drive mechanism; 304. Fourth linear drive mechanism;

[0045] 4. Second gripper;

[0046] 5. Depressor removal robot; 501. Third gripper; 502. Fifth linear drive mechanism; 503. Sixth linear drive mechanism;

[0047] 6. L-shaped board; 601 solder filling positioning groove;

[0048] 7. Soldering assembly; 701. Soldering plate; 702. Eighth linear drive mechanism;

[0049] 8. The seventh linear drive mechanism;

[0050] 9. Tin-plated drive module. Detailed Implementation

[0051] In this invention, the term "embodiment" means that a specific feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The term "embodiment" appearing in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor does it specifically limit its independence or connection with other embodiments. In principle, in this invention, as long as there is no technical contradiction or conflict, the technical features mentioned in each embodiment can be combined in any way to form a corresponding implementable technical solution.

[0052] Unless otherwise defined, the technical terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains; the use of related terms herein is merely for the purpose of describing particular embodiments and is not intended to limit the invention.

[0053] In the description of this invention, the term "and / or" is used to describe the logical relationship between objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B means: A exists, B exists, and A and B exist simultaneously. Additionally, the character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following objects have an "or" logical relationship.

[0054] In this invention, terms such as “first” and “second” are used merely to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any actual quantity, hierarchy, or order between these entities or operations.

[0055] Without further limitations, the use of terms such as “comprising,” “including,” “having,” or other similar expressions in this invention is intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, which does not exclude the presence of additional elements in a process, method, or product that includes the stated elements, such that a process, method, or product that includes a list of elements may include not only those defined elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, or product.

[0056] Similar to the understanding in the Examination Guidelines, in this invention, expressions such as "greater than," "less than," and "exceeding" are understood to exclude the stated number; expressions such as "above," "below," and "within" are understood to include the stated number. Furthermore, in the description of the embodiments of this invention, "multiple" means two or more (including two), and similar expressions related to "multiple" are also understood in this way, such as "multiple groups" and "multiple times," unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0057] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, the spatially related expressions used, such as "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "vertical," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," "axial," "radial," and "circumferential," indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the specific embodiments or drawings. They are only for the purpose of describing the specific embodiments of the present invention or for the reader's understanding, and do not indicate or imply that the device or component referred to must have a specific position, a specific orientation, or be constructed or operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the embodiments of the present invention.

[0058] Unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," "fixing," and "setting," as used in the description of the embodiments of this invention, should be interpreted broadly. For example, "connection" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral setting; it can be a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or a communication connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; it can be the internal connection of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0059] This invention provides a solder paste feeding unit and printing machine, which is suitable for applications involving solder paste printing on circuit boards. It enables mechanized solder feeding operations, thereby reducing labor costs and improving production efficiency.

[0060] See Figure 1 and Figure 2 The printing machine includes a solder paste feeding unit 100 and a solder adding unit 200. The solder paste feeding unit 100 provides a box 300 (containing solder paste) to the solder adding unit 200. After receiving the box 300 from the solder paste feeding unit 100, the solder adding unit 200 extrudes the solder paste from the box 300 downwards onto the screen printing stencil to complete the solder adding operation.

[0061] First, let’s introduce the solder paste feeding unit 100.

[0062] The solder paste feeding unit 100 includes a solder infeed platform 1, a first gripper 2, a cap-opening robot 3, a second gripper 4, and a plug-removing robot 5. The solder infeed platform 1 is used to transport solder paste containers; wherein the solder paste container includes a container body 300 with a sealing plug at the bottom and a lid 400 located on top of the container body 300. The first gripper 2 is used to hold and fix the container body 300. The cap-opening robot 3 is located between the solder infeed platform 1 and the first gripper 2, and is used to transfer the solder paste container from the solder infeed platform 1 to the first gripper 2, and after the first gripper 2 holds the container body 300, it rotates the lid 400 upwards. The second gripper 4 is located below the first gripper 2 and is used to hold the sealing plug. The plug-removing robot 5 is used to lift the container body 300 upwards after the second gripper 4 holds the sealing plug, causing the sealing plug to detach from the container body 300.

[0063] The solder paste feeding unit 100 provided in this embodiment operates as follows:

[0064] S101: Workers manually or using robotic arms place solder paste boxes onto the solder infeed platform 1, which then transports them to the opening robotic arm 3.

[0065] Optionally, the solder feeding platform 1 includes a feeding assembly for placing solder paste boxes and a first linear drive mechanism 101 for driving the feeding assembly to move closer to or away from the opening robot 3 in a horizontal first direction.

[0066] Furthermore, the feeding assembly includes a feeding plate 102 with a plurality of feeding positioning slots 1021 for placing solder paste boxes, and a second linear drive mechanism 103 that drives the feeding plate 102 to move closer to or away from the first linear drive mechanism 101 along a horizontal second direction, wherein the first direction and the second direction are perpendicular to each other.

[0067] Initially, the first linear drive mechanism 101 drives the second linear drive mechanism 103 to move to a position far away from the cover-opening robot 3. The second linear drive mechanism 103 extends outward, causing the feed plate 102 to move away from the first linear drive mechanism 101, thus transferring the feed plate 102 to a position close to the loading station. After the worker manually or with a robot puts the solder paste boxes that have not yet been opened and plugged into the various loading positioning slots 1021 of the feed plate 102, the second linear drive mechanism 103 retracts first, and then the first linear drive mechanism 101 can transport the feed plate 102 to a position close to the cover-opening robot 3 so that the cover-opening robot 3 can pick it up.

[0068] S102: The opening robot arm 3 takes the solder paste box out of the feeding plate 102 and places it at the first gripper 2. The first gripper 2 clamps the box body 300 of the solder paste box.

[0069] Optionally, the lid-opening robotic arm 3 includes a grasping part 301, a rotary drive mechanism 302, a third linear drive mechanism 303, and a fourth linear drive mechanism 304. The grasping part 301 is a suction cup or gripper to adsorb or clamp and fix the lid 400.

[0070] The drive end of the rotary drive mechanism 302 is fixedly connected to the picking part 301, driving the picking part 301 to rotate around the vertical axis; the drive end of the third linear drive mechanism 303 is connected to the rotary drive mechanism 302, driving the rotary drive mechanism 302 to move up and down; the drive end of the fourth linear drive mechanism 304 is connected to the third linear drive mechanism 303, driving the third linear drive mechanism 303 to reciprocate between the solder feeding platform 1 and the first gripper 2.

[0071] The detailed working process of the lid-opening robotic arm 3 is as follows:

[0072] First, under the coordinated action of the third linear drive mechanism 303 and the fourth linear drive mechanism 304, the picking part 301 moves to the top of the solder paste box and adsorbs or clamps and fixes the lid 400 of the solder paste box.

[0073] Next, under the coordinated action of the third linear drive mechanism 303 and the fourth linear drive mechanism 304, the picking part 301 moves the solder paste box to the first gripper 2 so that the first gripper 2 can clamp the box body 300 of the solder paste box.

[0074] Then, the rotary drive mechanism 302 starts working, driving the take-up part 301 to rotate the lid 400 around the vertical axis. Simultaneously, the third linear drive mechanism 303 drives the rotary drive mechanism 302 to move upward, thereby turning and opening the lid 400.

[0075] S103: After the second gripper 4 clamps the sealing plug, the first gripper 2 releases the box body 300, and the plug-removing robot 5 lifts the box body 300 upward so that the sealing plug is pulled out from the bottom of the box body 300.

[0076] In this embodiment, the plug-removing manipulator 5 includes a third gripper 501, a fifth linear drive mechanism 502, and a sixth linear drive mechanism 503. The drive end of the fifth linear drive mechanism 502 is connected to the third gripper 501, driving the third gripper 501 to move up and down; the drive end of the sixth linear drive mechanism 503 is connected to the fifth linear drive mechanism 502, driving the fifth linear drive mechanism 502 to reciprocate in the horizontal direction.

[0077] The detailed working process of the plug-removing robot 5 is as follows: First, the second gripper 4 clamps the sealing plug; then, the first gripper 2 releases the box 300; next, under the coordinated action of the fifth linear drive mechanism 502 and the sixth linear drive mechanism 503, the third gripper 501 moves to directly above the box 300 and lifts the box 300 upwards; finally, under the coordinated action of the fifth linear drive mechanism 502 and the sixth linear drive mechanism 503, the third gripper 501 places the solder paste box into the soldering unit 200 for use by the soldering unit 200.

[0078] Next, we will introduce the tin-adding unit 200.

[0079] The tin-adding unit 200 includes an L-shaped plate 6, a tin-pressing assembly 7, a seventh linear drive mechanism 8, and a tin-adding drive module 9 that drives the L-shaped plate 6 to move so as to add tin at different positions.

[0080] The L-shaped plate 6 includes a vertical portion and a horizontal portion, wherein the horizontal portion is provided with a solder filling positioning groove 601 for accommodating the housing 300. The solder pressing assembly 7 is slidably connected to the vertical portion and is used to press the solder paste out of the housing 300 downwards; optionally, the solder pressing assembly 7 includes a solder filling pressure plate 701 for entering the housing 300, and an eighth linear drive mechanism 702 for driving the solder filling pressure plate 701 to move up and down. The drive end of the seventh linear drive mechanism 8 is connected to the solder pressing assembly 7.

[0081] The soldering component 7 has a soldering state in which it is driven in the forward direction by the seventh linear drive mechanism 8 and moves to the position directly above the soldering positioning groove 601, and a avoidance state in which it is driven in the reverse direction by the seventh linear drive mechanism 8 and moves away from the position directly above the soldering positioning groove 601.

[0082] The working process of the tin-adding unit 200 is as follows:

[0083] S201: The tin-adding drive module 9 drives the L-shaped plate 6 to move to a position close to the sixth linear drive mechanism 503;

[0084] S202: The seventh linear drive mechanism 8 drives the solder pressing assembly 7 to move to the avoidance state in order to make room above the solder filling positioning groove 601;

[0085] S203: Under the coordinated action of the fifth linear drive mechanism 502 and the sixth linear drive mechanism 503, the third gripper 501 places the solder paste box into the solder filling positioning groove 601;

[0086] S204: The seventh linear drive mechanism 8 drives the solder pressing component 7 to the soldering state, and the solder pressing component 7 returns to the top of the housing 300;

[0087] S205: The eighth linear drive mechanism 702 drives the soldering plate 701 to move downward, squeezing the solder paste in the box 300 downward, so that the solder paste falls onto the screen printing stencil. Simultaneously, the soldering drive module 9 drives the L-shaped plate 6 to perform XYZ three-way movement or XZ two-way movement according to the preset path, so as to apply solder paste evenly to the entire screen printing stencil.

[0088] When the solder paste in the box 300 of the L-shaped board 6 is used up, the empty box can be put into the recycling bin by the plug-out robot 5, or the empty box can be taken out manually. This invention does not limit this.

[0089] In summary, the solder paste feeding unit 100 and printing machine provided in this embodiment have the following advantages:

[0090] The solder paste feeding unit 100 and printing machine provided in this embodiment have the following advantages:

[0091] ① Through the coordinated operation of components such as the solder feeding platform 1, the lid opening robot 3, and the plug removing robot 5, the automatic lid opening and plug removal of the solder paste box are realized, reducing manual operation and improving the automation level and production efficiency of the production line.

[0092] ②The cooperation between the L-shaped plate 6 and the seventh linear drive mechanism 8 allows the soldering component 7 to slide to the side to avoid affecting the automatic filling of the box 300 by the soldering unit 200 when it receives the box 300.

[0093] It should be noted that the linear drive mechanism mentioned in this invention can be a cylinder, hydraulic cylinder, electric cylinder, or motor lead screw linear module, etc.; the rotary drive mechanism mentioned can be a brushed motor, brushless motor, or rotary cylinder, etc.; and the clamping mechanism mentioned can be a gripper cylinder, electromagnetic gripper, hydraulic gripper, pneumatic gripper, etc. This invention does not limit the specific structural form of the linear drive mechanism, rotary drive mechanism, or gripper.

[0094] Finally, it should be noted that although the above embodiments have been described in the text and drawings of this application, this should not limit the scope of patent protection of this application. Any technical solutions that are based on the essential concept of this application and utilize the content described in the text and drawings of this application, resulting in equivalent structural or procedural substitutions or modifications, as well as the direct or indirect application of the technical solutions of the above embodiments to other related technical fields, are all included within the scope of patent protection of this application.

Claims

1. A printing press, characterized in that, include: Solder paste loading unit (100); Soldering unit (200), which is used to receive the box (300) sent by the solder paste feeding unit (100) and squeeze the solder paste in the box (300) downward; in, The solder paste feeding unit includes: Solder feeding platform (1), the solder feeding platform (1) is used to transport solder paste boxes; wherein, the solder paste box includes a box body (300) with a sealing plug at the bottom, and a box cover (400) located at the top of the box body (300). The first gripper (2) is used to hold and fix the box body (300); The opening robot (3) is located between the solder inlet platform (1) and the first gripper (2) and is used to transfer the solder paste box from the solder inlet platform (1) to the first gripper (2) and after the box body (300) is clamped by the first gripper (2), the box cover (400) is twisted upward. The second gripper (4) is located below the first gripper (2) and is used to hold the sealing plug; The plug-removing robot (5) is used to lift the box body (300) upward after the second gripper (4) holds the sealing plug, so that the sealing plug is removed from the box body (300). The tin-adding unit (200) includes: L-shaped plate (6), the L-shaped plate (6) includes a vertical part and a horizontal part, wherein the horizontal part is provided with a soldering positioning groove (601) for accommodating the box body (300). Solder pressing assembly (7), which is slidably connected to the vertical part, is used to press the solder paste in the box (300) downward; The seventh linear drive mechanism (8) is connected to the tin-pressing assembly (7) at its drive end. The soldering component (7) is in a soldering state where it is driven forward by the seventh linear drive mechanism (8) and moves to the position directly above the soldering positioning groove (601), and in a avoidance state where it is driven in the opposite direction by the seventh linear drive mechanism (8) and moves away from the position directly above the soldering positioning groove (601).

2. The printing press according to claim 1, characterized in that, The solder feeding platform (1) includes a feeding assembly for placing solder paste boxes and a first linear drive mechanism (101) for driving the feeding assembly to move closer to or away from the opening robot (3) in a horizontal first direction.

3. The printing press according to claim 2, characterized in that, The feeding assembly includes a feeding plate (102) for placing solder paste boxes, and a second linear drive mechanism (103) for driving the feeding plate (102) to move closer to or away from the first linear drive mechanism (101) in a horizontal second direction. Wherein, the first direction and the second direction are perpendicular to each other.

4. The printing press according to claim 3, characterized in that, The feed plate (102) is provided with several feeding positioning slots (1021) for inserting solder paste boxes.

5. The printing press according to claim 1, characterized in that, The opening robot (3) includes: Take-out section (301); A rotary drive mechanism (302) is provided, the drive end of which is fixedly connected to the picking part (301) to drive the picking part (301) to rotate around the vertical axis. The third linear drive mechanism (303) is connected to the rotary drive mechanism (302) at its drive end, thereby driving the rotary drive mechanism (302) to move up and down. The fourth linear drive mechanism (304) is connected to the third linear drive mechanism (303) at its drive end, and drives the third linear drive mechanism (303) to reciprocate between the soldering platform (1) and the first gripper (2).

6. The printing press according to claim 5, characterized in that, The taking part (301) is a suction cup or a gripper.

7. The printing press according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plug-removing manipulator (5) includes: Third gripper (501); The fifth linear drive mechanism (502) is connected to the third gripper (501) at its drive end, thereby driving the third gripper (501) to move up and down. The sixth linear drive mechanism (503) is connected to the fifth linear drive mechanism (502) at its drive end, and drives the fifth linear drive mechanism (502) to reciprocate in the horizontal direction.

8. The printing press according to claim 1, characterized in that, The soldering assembly (7) includes a soldering plate (701) for entering the housing (300) and an eighth linear drive mechanism (702) for driving the soldering plate (701) to move up and down.

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