An automatic etching equipment for circuit boards

Abstract

This invention discloses an automatic etching device for circuit boards, belonging to the field of printed circuit board manufacturing technology. It includes a support unit, a storage unit, and a moving etching unit. The support unit includes a base with a placement slot and a waste liquid tank on its upper surface, and a flip plate at the output end of a first rotary motor. The storage unit, located within the placement slot, includes a housing with a side opening at the lower end of one side. A pair of moving etching units are located on either side of the first rotary motor. Each moving etching unit includes a first linear mechanism, a connecting plate at the output end of a second linear mechanism, and a pair of clamping plates formed on one side of the second linear mechanism. The moving etching unit also includes an etching liquid tank located at the outer end of the other side of the base, with a booster pump at its upper end. Multiple nozzles located above the waste liquid tank are connected to the lower end of the outer periphery of a horizontal pipe. This invention enables automatic and continuous etching of circuit boards and cleans residual etching liquid after etching, reducing the time required for subsequent drying of the circuit boards.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of printed circuit board manufacturing technology, and in particular to an automatic etching device for circuit boards. Background Technology

[0002] Circuit board etching is a crucial process for removing excess copper layers and forming the required circuit patterns. It is also the core method for transforming a designed circuit blueprint into a physical circuit. During etching, only by etching cleanly and without residue can good insulation between circuits be ensured, preventing short circuits or signal interference, which is the fundamental guarantee for the final product's functionality.

[0003] Most existing etching machines are complex in structure and difficult to operate, requiring individual operation. First, the material is loaded; after one side is etched, it is removed, manually flipped, and placed back into the etching machine to etch the other side. Furthermore, a significant amount of etching solution remains on the circuit board surface after etching, requiring lengthy wiping or drying to remove the residue. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the aforementioned problems, this invention provides an automatic circuit board etching device that can perform automatic and continuous etching operations on circuit boards and clean up residual etching solution after etching, thereby reducing the time required for subsequent drying of the circuit boards.

[0005] To achieve the objectives of this invention, the following solution is adopted: An automated circuit board etching device, comprising: The support unit includes a base platform with an extension formed on the upper part of one side surface. A placement groove penetrating one side surface of the base platform is provided at one end of the upper surface of the base platform. A waste liquid tank is also provided on the upper surface of the base platform. A first rotary motor is fixed on the other side of the base platform. A flip plate is provided at the output end of the motor. A side groove is provided at one end of the flip plate. The storage unit is located in the placement slot and includes a box with a bottom plate thickness that is the same as the depth of the placement slot. One end of the box is open, and a side opening that communicates with the end opening of the box is provided at the lower end of one side of the box. One end face of the box and the inner side of the extension are located on the same vertical plane, and the circuit boards inside the box are stacked vertically. A pair of movable etching units are respectively located on both sides of the first rotary motor. The movable etching unit includes a first linear mechanism located at the outer end of one side of the base platform. Its sliding direction is parallel to the length direction of the base platform, and a second linear mechanism is installed at the sliding end. The output end of the second linear mechanism is provided with a connecting plate. A pair of clamping plates are formed on one side of the second linear mechanism. The distance between the two clamping plates is the same as the length of the circuit board. The lowest point and height of the clamping plates are the same as the height of the upper surface of the base platform. The movable etching unit also includes an etching liquid tank located at the outer end of the other side of the base platform. A booster pump is provided at the upper end of the tank. The input end of the booster pump is connected to an input pipe that passes through the upper end plate of the etching liquid tank. The output end is connected to a horizontal pipe. Multiple nozzles located above the waste liquid tank are connected to the lower end of the outer periphery of the booster pump.

[0006] Furthermore, a ramp is provided on the upper surface of the platform at the other end of the platform, and a collection basket is provided at the lower end of the ramp during operation.

[0007] Furthermore, first inclined walls are formed on both sides of the waste liquid tank, second inclined walls are formed at both ends of the area below the two first inclined walls, and a water collection tank is formed in the area below the two second inclined walls, with a drain outlet at the bottom of the water collection tank.

[0008] Furthermore, a square-section protrusion is vertically formed at one corner of the box, and the circuit board inside the box is placed at one end of the protrusion. The width of the card plate is the same as the side length of the cross-section of the protrusion.

[0009] Furthermore, the etching solution tank is also equipped with a lid at the top.

[0010] Furthermore, the mobile etching unit also includes a residual cleaning component, which includes a third linear mechanism located at the outer end of the other side of the base and whose output direction is parallel to the second linear mechanism. The output end of the third linear mechanism is provided with a second rotary motor, and its output end is provided with a rotating rod. A water-absorbing roller for absorbing residual etching liquid on the circuit board is fixedly sleeved on the outer periphery of the rotating rod. The lowest point of the water-absorbing roller is at the same height as the upper surface of the base.

[0011] Furthermore, the residual cleaning assembly also includes a first hanger with a through hole on the side of its lower end. A limit bolt is screwed into the through hole. The water suction roller includes a through opening along its axis. A rigid tube is installed on the inner wall of the through opening. During operation, one end of the rigid tube is partially fixed to the outer periphery of the rotating rod, and the other end of the rigid tube is partially rotated to engage with the outer periphery of the screw of the limit bolt.

[0012] Furthermore, the residue cleaning assembly also includes a second hanger, the lower end of which is equipped with a fourth linear mechanism, the output end of which is provided with a squeezing plate located at one end of the outer periphery of the suction roller.

[0013] The beneficial effects of this technical solution are as follows: 1. The automatic etching equipment of this application has a relatively simple structure, is easy to use, and can perform automatic and continuous etching operations on multiple circuit boards in a production batch. It can also clean up residual etching solution after etching, reducing the waiting time for subsequent processes.

[0014] 2. The circuit boards are placed in the storage unit to wait for etching. The etched circuit boards are collected in the collection basket. The intermediate steps do not require manual intervention and have a high degree of automation. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 An overall perspective view of an embodiment of this application is shown.

[0016] Figure 2 A partial perspective view of the support unit according to an embodiment of this application is shown.

[0017] Figure 3 A perspective view of the storage board unit according to an embodiment of this application is shown.

[0018] Figure 4 A perspective cross-sectional view of the storage board unit according to an embodiment of this application is shown.

[0019] Figure 5 A perspective view of the movable etching unit according to an embodiment of this application is shown.

[0020] The diagram shows the following components: Support unit-1, base platform-11, extension-12, placement groove-13, waste liquid groove-14, first inclined wall-141, second inclined wall-142, water collection groove-143, drain outlet-15, semi-circular opening-16, first rotary motor-17, flip plate-18, ramp-19, collection basket-191, storage plate unit-2, box body-21, handle-22, side opening-23, protruding column-24, moving etching unit-3, first linear mechanism-31, first bracket-311, and second linear mechanism. -32, Horizontal plate -321, Connecting plate -322, Card plate -323, Etching solution tank -33, Tank cover -331, Second bracket -332, Booster pump -34, Input pipe -341, Horizontal pipe -342, Nozzle -343, Third linear mechanism -35, Third bracket -351, Fourth bracket -352, Second rotary motor -36, Water suction roller -361, First hanger -362, Limit bolt -363, Fourth linear mechanism -37, Second hanger -371, Extrusion plate -372, Circuit board -4. Detailed Implementation

[0021] To make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of this application clearer, the implementation methods of this application will be described in detail below. However, the embodiments described in this application are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments.

[0022] like Figures 1-5 An automatic etching device is shown, comprising a support unit 1, a storage unit 2, and a moving etching unit 3.

[0023] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, the support unit 1 includes a base 11. An extension 12 is formed on the upper end of one side of the base 11. A placement groove 13 is formed at one end of the upper surface of the base 11, and the placement groove 13 passes through one end of the base 11 and the side with the extension 12. A waste liquid tank 14 located in the center and a ramp 19 located at the other end are also formed on the upper surface of the base 11. First inclined walls 141 are formed on both sides of the waste liquid tank 14. Second inclined walls 142 are formed at both ends of the area below the two first inclined walls 141. A water collection trough 143 is formed in the area below the space. A drain outlet 15 is provided at the bottom of the water collection trough 143 for connecting a drain pipe for drainage. A semi-circular opening 16 is provided at the upper end of the other side of the base platform 11. A first rotary motor 17 is fixedly installed on the side with the semi-circular opening 16. The lower half of its output shaft passes through the semi-circular opening 16. A flip plate 18 is provided at the output end of the first rotary motor 17. A side groove with the same height as the thickness of the circuit board 4 is provided at one end of the flip plate 18. When working, a collection basket 191 is provided at one end below the slope 19.

[0024] like Figure 1 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 As shown, the storage unit 2 is located in the placement groove 13. The storage unit 2 includes a box 21. The thickness of the bottom plate of the box 21 is the same as the depth of the placement groove 13. A handle 22 is installed on the upper end of the box 21. One end of the box 21 is open. The lower end of one side of the box 21 has a side opening 23 that is through the end opening of the box 21 and has the same height as the thickness of the circuit board 4. When working, the two sides of the box 21 with the opening and the side opening 23 respectively abut against the inner end wall and the inner side wall of the placement groove 13. One end face of the box 21 and the inner side of the extension 12 are located on the same vertical plane. A square-section protrusion 24 is vertically formed in one corner of the box 21. The circuit boards 4 inside the box 21 are stacked from bottom to top on one end of the protrusion 24.

[0025] like Figure 1 , Figure 5As shown, there is a pair of movable etching units 3, respectively located on both sides of the first rotary motor 17 and arranged along the length of the base 11. Each movable etching unit 3 includes a first linear mechanism 31 located on the outer side of the base 11 where the first rotary motor 17 is mounted. A pair of first supports 311 are provided at its lower end. The sliding direction of the first linear mechanism 31 is parallel to the length of the base 11, and a second linear mechanism 32 is mounted at its sliding end. A horizontal plate 321 is provided at the output end of the second linear mechanism 32. One end of the horizontal plate 321 is connected to a connecting plate 322 whose length is parallel to the sliding direction of the first linear mechanism 31. A pair of clamping plates 3 are formed on one side of the connecting plate 322. 23. The width of the card plate 323 is the same as the side length of the cross-section of the protrusion 24. The distance between the two card plates 323 is the same as the length of the circuit board 4. The height of the lowest point of the card plate 323 is the same as the height of the upper surface of the base 11. The movable etching unit 3 also includes an etching solution tank 33 located at the outer end of the side of the base 11 with the extension 12. The upper end of the etching solution tank 33 is provided with a tank cover 331 and a second bracket 332. A booster pump 34 is installed on the upper end of the second bracket 332. Its input end is connected to an input pipe 341 that passes through the upper end plate of the etching solution tank 33 and whose bottom is no more than 5cm away from the inner bottom wall of the etching solution tank 33. The output end of the booster pump 34 is connected to a horizontal pipe 342. The lower end of the outer periphery of the horizontal tube 342 is connected to multiple nozzles 343 located above the waste liquid tank 14. The moving etching unit 3 also includes a residual cleaning assembly, which includes a third linear mechanism 35 located on the outer side of the base 11 with an extension 12 and whose output direction is parallel to the second linear mechanism 32. The lower end of the third linear mechanism 35 is provided with a third bracket 351, and the output end of the third linear mechanism 35 is provided with a fourth bracket 352. The upper end of the fourth bracket 352 is equipped with a second rotary motor 36, and its output end is provided with a rotating rod. The outer periphery of the rotating rod is fixedly fitted with a water-absorbing roller 361 for absorbing residual etching liquid on the circuit board 4. The lowest point of the water-absorbing roller 361 is high. The height is the same as the upper surface of the base 11. Specifically, the residue cleaning assembly also includes a first hanger 362. The side of the lower end of the first hanger 362 is provided with a through hole. A limit bolt 363 is screwed into the through hole. The water suction roller 361 includes a through opening along its axis. A rigid tube is installed on the inner wall of the through opening. During operation, one end of the rigid tube is partially fixed and sleeved on the outer periphery of the rotating rod, and the other end of the rigid tube is partially rotated and engaged with the outer periphery of the screw of the limit bolt 363. The residue cleaning assembly also includes a second hanger 371. A fourth linear mechanism 37 is installed at the lower end of the second hanger 371. Its output end is provided with a squeezing plate 372 located at one end of the outer periphery of the water suction roller 361.

[0026] In this embodiment, the first linear mechanism 31 adopts a rodless linear cylinder, and the second linear mechanism 32, the third linear mechanism 35 and the fourth linear mechanism 37 all adopt single-axis linear cylinders. The first hanger 362 and the second hanger 371 are both fixed to the inner top of the workshop where the equipment is located.

[0027] How the above equipment works: First, multiple circuit boards 4 are placed in the storage unit 2, preferably filling the box 21 completely. Then, the storage unit 2 is placed in the placement slot 13, with the box 21 abutting against the inner side wall and inner end wall of the placement slot 13.

[0028] Then, the moving etching unit 3, which is close to the storage unit 2, starts working first. The sliding end of the first linear mechanism 31 slides, and then the second linear mechanism 32 causes the connecting plate 322 to abut against one end of the bottom circuit board 4. At this time, the two clamping plates 323 abut against the two sides of the end of the circuit board 4 respectively. Then, the first linear mechanism 31 moves the circuit board 4 above the waste liquid tank 14. During the movement, the other end of the circuit board 4 abuts against one side of the extension 12 and moves smoothly. The booster pump 34 is started in advance, so that the nozzle 343 sprays out the etching liquid. After the entire circuit board 4 has passed under the nozzle 343, the etching of one side is completed. Then, the upper surface of the circuit board 4 will pass through the water absorption roller 361, so most of it is removed. Part or even all of the etching solution will be absorbed, which can save the time of subsequent drying of the circuit board 4. In some cases, drying may not be necessary after etching. Then, when the circuit board 4 is fully inserted into the side groove of the flip plate 18, the first linear mechanism 31 and the second linear mechanism 32 of the aforementioned moving etching unit 3 cause the connecting plate 322 and the clamping plate 323 to disengage from the circuit board 4. Then, the circuit board 4 is flipped by the first rotary motor 17. Then, the movable connecting plate 322 and the clamping plate 323 of another moving etching unit 3 move the circuit board 4. Then, the moving etching unit 3 etches the circuit board 4 in the same way. Finally, the circuit board 4 is moved and falls into the collection basket 191.

[0029] After the bottommost circuit board 4 is removed, the top circuit board 4 will fall down for subsequent etching operations.

[0030] Preferably, although the industrial absorbent rollers 361 are designed to have a certain service life, the fourth linear mechanism 37 in the equipment pushes the extrusion plate 372 to squeeze out the liquid remaining in the absorbent rollers 361, which can better improve the liquid absorption effect of the absorbent rollers 361.

[0031] The above are only some of the embodiments listed in this application and are not intended to limit this application.

Claims

1. An automatic etching device for circuit boards, characterized in that, include: The support unit (1) includes a base (11), an extension (12) is formed on the upper side of one side of the base (11), a placement groove (13) is provided at one end of the upper surface of the base (11) that passes through one side of the base (11), a waste liquid tank (14) is also provided on the upper surface of the base (11), and a first rotary motor (17) is fixed on the other side of the base (11), a flip plate (18) is provided at its output end, and a side groove is provided at one end of the flip plate (18); The storage unit (2) is located in the placement slot (13) and includes a box (21) with the same thickness of the bottom plate as the depth of the placement slot (13). One end of the box (21) is open, and a side opening (23) is provided at the lower end of one side of the box (21) that communicates with the opening at the end of the box (21). One end face of the box (21) and the inner side of the extension (12) are located on the same vertical plane. The circuit boards (4) inside the box (21) are stacked vertically. A pair of movable etching units (3) are respectively located on both sides of the first rotary motor (17). The movable etching unit (3) includes a first linear mechanism (31) located at the outer end of one side of the base (11). Its sliding direction is parallel to the length direction of the base (11), and a second linear mechanism (32) is installed at the sliding end. The output end of the second linear mechanism (32) is provided with a connecting plate (322), and a pair of clamping plates (323) are formed on one side of it. The distance between the two clamping plates (323) is the same as the length of the circuit board (4). Similarly, the lowest point and height of the card plate (323) are the same as the height of the upper surface of the base plate (11). The moving etching unit (3) also includes an etching liquid tank (33) located on the outer end of the other side of the base plate (11). A booster pump (34) is provided at its upper end. The input end of the booster pump (34) is connected to an input pipe (341) that passes through the upper end plate of the etching liquid tank (33). The output end is connected to a horizontal pipe (342). Multiple nozzles (343) located above the waste liquid tank (14) are connected to its lower outer periphery.

2. The automatic circuit board etching equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper surface of the base (11) is also provided with a ramp (19) located at the other end of the base (11). During operation, a collection basket (191) is provided at one end of the ramp (19).

3. The automatic circuit board etching equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The waste liquid tank (14) has first inclined walls (141) formed on both sides, and second inclined walls (142) formed at both ends of the area below the two first inclined walls (141). A water collection tank (143) is formed in the area below the two second inclined walls (142), and a drain outlet (15) is provided at the bottom of the water collection tank (143).

4. The automatic circuit board etching equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, A protruding post (24) with a square cross-section is vertically formed in one corner of the box (21). The circuit board (4) inside the box (21) is placed at one end of the protruding post (24). The width of the card plate (323) is the same as the side length of the cross-section of the protruding post (24).

5. The automatic circuit board etching equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The etching solution tank (33) is also equipped with a lid (331) at the top.

6. The automatic circuit board etching equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mobile etching unit (3) also includes a residual cleaning component, which includes a third linear mechanism (35) located on the outer end of the other side of the base (11) and whose output direction is parallel to the second linear mechanism (32). The output end of the third linear mechanism (35) is provided with a second rotary motor (36), and its output end is provided with a rotating rod. A water-absorbing roller (361) for absorbing residual etching liquid on the circuit board (4) is fixedly sleeved on the outer periphery of the rotating rod. The lowest point of the water-absorbing roller (361) is at the same height as the upper surface of the base (11).

7. The automatic circuit board etching equipment according to claim 6, characterized in that, The residual cleaning assembly also includes a first hanger (362), which has a through hole on the side of its lower end. A limit bolt (363) is screwed into the through hole. The water suction roller (361) includes a through opening along its axis. A rigid tube is installed on the inner wall of the through opening. During operation, one end of the rigid tube is partially fixed to the outer periphery of the rotating rod, and the other end of the rigid tube is partially rotated and engaged with the outer periphery of the screw of the limit bolt (363).

8. The automatic circuit board etching equipment according to claim 6, characterized in that, The residual cleaning assembly also includes a second hanger (371), the lower end of which is equipped with a fourth linear mechanism (37), the output end of which is provided with a squeezing plate (372) located on one side of the outer periphery of the suction roller (361).

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