VCP plating line automatic feeding work station

Abstract

The utility model discloses an automatic feeding workstation for a VCP plating line, which comprises a plating cylinder used for electroplating a PCB (printed circuit board) and internally provided with a plurality of titanium baskets arranged in double rows; the induction assemblies are arranged on the plating cylinder and arranged in double rows, and the induction assemblies are arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the titanium baskets in position and used for monitoring the material condition in the titanium baskets; the travelling crane rail is arranged above the plating cylinder, and the travelling crane rail is used for allowing the AGV to pass through; and the receiving assembly is arranged on the traveling track, and the receiving assembly is used for communicating with the sensing assembly and controlling the AGV trolley to supply materials to the corresponding titanium baskets. The induction assembly, the AGV trolley and the traveling track are integrated, whole-course automation of VCP electroplating line material supply is achieved, the condition of materials in a titanium basket is monitored in real time, timely and accurate supply is ensured, the production efficiency and the quality control level are remarkably improved, the labor cost is reduced, and the flexibility and adaptability of the system are enhanced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of circuit board production, in particular to an automatic feeding workstation for a VCP electroplating line. Background Art

[0002] In traditional PCB (Printed Circuit Board) manufacturing, electroplating is a critical process step, forming the required conductive layer on the circuit board. VCP (Vast Coating) plating lines are widely used in modern PCB production due to their continuity and efficiency. However, existing VCP plating lines suffer from a low level of automation in material supply and rely on manual operation. This not only increases production costs but also limits production line efficiency and quality control capabilities. Furthermore, the uncertainty of manual operation can easily lead to untimely or excessive material supply, which in turn affects electroplating quality and production efficiency.

[0003] In some electroplating processes for circuit boards, copper balls are consumables. Regular addition of new copper balls to the titanium baskets is required during both the production process and regular maintenance. Limited by the structure and nature of the electroplating equipment, these additions are typically done manually. This is due to the high equipment height and the multiple titanium baskets on a single line, requiring a large quantity of copper balls. These heavy balls pose significant challenges to adding copper balls. Currently, completing the copper addition process often requires significant manpower and time, and copper addition efficiency is extremely low. Manual copper ball addition, on the one hand, can easily cause copper balls and impurities in the powder layer to fall into the plating tank, impacting product quality and causing a decrease in product yield. On the other hand, the large number of titanium baskets makes manual addition inefficient, impacting the production efficiency of the electroplating equipment. Furthermore, it is unsafe for employees to enter the plating tank, which contains a highly concentrated plating solution and is prone to accidents. Utility Model Content

[0004] This utility model aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, it proposes an automatic feeding workstation for a VCP electroplating line. This station integrates a sensing component, an AGV, and a track. This fully automates the material supply process for the VCP electroplating line, monitors the material status within the titanium basket in real time, and ensures timely and accurate replenishment. This significantly improves production efficiency and quality control, reduces labor costs, and enhances the system's flexibility and adaptability.

[0005] The VCP electroplating line automatic feeding workstation according to the embodiment of the present utility model includes:

[0006] A plating tank is used for electroplating PCB boards, wherein a plurality of titanium baskets arranged in double rows are provided in the plating tank;

[0007] A plurality of sensing components are provided in the plating tank and arranged in double rows, the sensing components being arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the positions of the titanium baskets and being used to monitor the material conditions in the titanium baskets;

[0008] A driving track is provided above the plating tank, and the driving track is used for the passage of the AGV;

[0009] A receiving component is arranged on the driving track, and is used to communicate with the sensing component and control the AGV trolley to feed materials into the corresponding titanium basket.

[0010] The automatic feeding workstation of the VCP electroplating line according to the embodiment of the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects: by arranging sensing components corresponding to the positions of the titanium baskets in the plating cylinder, the material situation in each titanium basket can be monitored in real time to ensure timely replenishment of materials and avoid production problems caused by insufficient or excessive materials; and the combined use of the driving track and the AGV trolley realizes the rapid and accurate transmission of materials. Under the control of the receiving component, the AGV trolley can accurately deliver the materials into the designated titanium basket, greatly improving the speed and accuracy of material transmission; in addition, the entire material supply process is monitored by the sensing component and automatically controlled by the receiving component, with almost no human intervention required, which significantly reduces labor costs, reduces the occurrence of human errors, and improves the stability and reliability of production. It not only solves the problem of low automation and reliance on manual operation in the prior art for material supply, but also improves the overall operating efficiency and product quality of the VCP electroplating line.

[0011] According to the VCP electroplating line automatic feeding workstation described in some embodiments of the present invention, the sensing component includes a metal sensor, and the metal sensor is used to sense the anode metal in the titanium basket.

[0012] According to the VCP electroplating line automatic feeding workstation described in some embodiments of the present invention, the titanium basket is provided with a hollow portion, and the detection side of the metal sensor is arranged toward the hollow portion to detect the material height in the titanium basket.

[0013] According to the VCP electroplating line automatic feeding workstation described in some embodiments of the present invention, the sensing component includes a numbering QR code, the numbering QR code is used to number the titanium basket, the receiving component includes a plurality of matching QR codes, and the plurality of matching QR codes are arranged in double rows on the driving track, and the positions of the matching QR codes correspond one to one to the positions of the numbering QR codes.

[0014] According to the VCP electroplating line automatic feeding workstation described in some embodiments of the present invention, the AGV cart is provided with an identification component to identify the matching number QR code.

[0015] According to the VCP electroplating line automatic feeding workstation described in some embodiments of the present invention, the driving track includes a plurality of tracks arranged in a single row, the tracks are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the positions of the titanium baskets, and the two ends of the track are respectively facing the two titanium baskets arranged oppositely.

[0016] According to the VCP electroplating line automatic feeding workstation described in some embodiments of the present invention, a feeding trough is provided between adjacent tracks, and both ends of the feeding trough are respectively opposite to the two titanium baskets arranged oppositely.

[0017] According to the VCP electroplating line automatic feeding workstation described in some embodiments of the present invention, the AGV cart is provided with a conveying pipe, which extends toward one side of the titanium basket to convey materials into the titanium basket.

[0018] According to the VCP electroplating line automatic feeding workstation described in some embodiments of the present invention, the conveying pipeline is arranged at the bottom of the AGV cart.

[0019] According to the VCP electroplating line automatic feeding workstation described in some embodiments of the present invention, the AGV trolley is provided with a lifting rope, and the lifting rope is used to lift the AGV trolley onto the driving track.

[0020] Additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will be given in part in the following description and will become apparent from the following description or learned through practice of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and readily understood from the description of the embodiments in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

[0022] Figure 1 This is a top view of the automatic feeding workstation of the VCP electroplating line according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the AGV car of the automatic feeding workstation of the VCP electroplating line according to the embodiment of the utility model;

[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic structural diagram of the titanium basket of the automatic feeding workstation of the VCP electroplating line according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Description of Figure Numbers:

[0026] Plating tank 100;

[0027] Titanium basket 200; hollow portion 201;

[0028] Sensing component 300; number QR code 310;

[0029] Driving track 400; feeding chute 401; track 410;

[0030] Receiving component 500; check number QR code 510;

[0031] AGV trolley 600; transmission pipeline 610; lifting rope 620. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The following describes embodiments of the present invention in detail. Examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals throughout represent the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are intended only to explain the present invention and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0033] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that descriptions involving orientations, such as up, down, front, back, left, right, etc., indicating orientations or positional relationships, are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they cannot be understood as limitations on the present invention.

[0034] In the description of this utility model, "several" means one or more, "many" means more than two, "greater than," "less than," and "exceed" are understood to exclude the number itself, while "above," "below," and "within" are understood to include the number itself. The use of "first" and "second" in the description is solely for the purpose of distinguishing technical features and is not to be construed as indicating or implying relative importance, implicitly specifying the number of the indicated technical features, or implicitly specifying the order of the indicated technical features.

[0035] In the description of the present invention, unless otherwise clearly defined, terms such as setting, installing, and connecting should be understood in a broad sense, and technicians in the relevant technical field can reasonably determine the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention based on the specific content of the technical solution.

[0036] In the description of the present invention, reference to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiments," "examples," "specific examples," or "some examples" means that the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the exemplary expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples.

[0037] In traditional PCB (Printed Circuit Board) manufacturing, electroplating is a critical process step, forming the required conductive layer on the circuit board. VCP (Vast Coating) plating lines are widely used in modern PCB production due to their continuity and efficiency. However, existing VCP plating lines suffer from a low level of automation in material supply and rely on manual operation. This not only increases production costs but also limits production line efficiency and quality control capabilities. Furthermore, the uncertainty of manual operation can easily lead to untimely or excessive material supply, which in turn affects electroplating quality and production efficiency.

[0038] In some electroplating processes for circuit boards, copper balls are consumables. Regular addition of new copper balls to the titanium baskets is required during both the production process and regular maintenance. Limited by the structure and nature of the electroplating equipment, these additions are typically done manually. This is due to the high equipment height and the multiple titanium baskets on a single line, requiring a large quantity of copper balls. These heavy balls pose significant challenges to adding copper balls. Currently, completing the copper addition process often requires significant manpower and time, and copper addition efficiency is extremely low. Manual copper ball addition, on the one hand, can easily cause copper balls and impurities in the powder layer to fall into the plating tank, impacting product quality and causing a decrease in product yield. On the other hand, the large number of titanium baskets makes manual addition inefficient, impacting the production efficiency of the electroplating equipment. Furthermore, it is unsafe for employees to enter the plating tank, which contains a highly concentrated plating solution and is prone to accidents.

[0039] For this reason, Figures 1 to 3The figure shows the VCP electroplating line automatic feeding workstation proposed by the present invention, which includes a plating tank 100, a titanium basket 200, a sensing assembly 300, a track 400, and a receiving assembly 500. The plating tank 100 is used to electroplate PCBs. Multiple titanium baskets 200 are arranged in two rows within the plating tank 100. The track 400 is located above the plating tank 100 and is used to allow an AGV 600 to pass through and feed the titanium baskets 200. Correspondingly, multiple sensing assemblies 300 are located in the plating tank 100 and arranged in two rows. The sensing assemblies 300 are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the titanium baskets 200 and are used to monitor the material status within the titanium baskets 200. Furthermore, the receiving assembly 500 is located on the track 400. In some applications, the receiving assembly 500 is used to communicate with the sensing assembly 300 and control the AGV 600 to feed material into the corresponding titanium basket 200. It should be noted that by setting a sensing component 300 corresponding to the position of the titanium basket 200 in the plating cylinder 100, the material situation in each titanium basket 200 can be monitored in real time to ensure timely replenishment of materials and avoid production problems caused by insufficient or excessive materials; and, the combined use of the driving track 400 and the AGV trolley 600 realizes the rapid and accurate transmission of materials. Under the control of the receiving component 500, the AGV trolley 600 can accurately deliver the materials to the designated titanium basket 200, greatly improving the speed and accuracy of material transmission; in addition, the entire material supply process is monitored by the sensing component 300 and automatically controlled by the receiving component 500, with almost no human intervention required, which significantly reduces labor costs, reduces the occurrence of human errors, and improves production stability and reliability. It not only solves the problem of low automation and reliance on manual operation in the existing technology of material supply, but also improves the overall operating efficiency and product quality of the VCP electroplating line.

[0040] It should be noted that VCP stands for vertical continuous electroplating, a process that utilizes electrolysis to deposit a layer of copper on the surface of a PCB. Its primary function is to electroplate the inside of the hole and the entire board surface using a direct current, making the inside of the hole conductive. The electroplating process is a critical step in PCB production, and the quality of the electroplated copper is directly related to the performance of the PCB. Furthermore, the AGV 600 is a transport vehicle equipped with automated guidance devices, such as electromagnetic or optical ones, capable of traveling along a prescribed path and offering safety features and various transfer functions. AGVs are widely used in industry and logistics, enabling unmanned transportation and handling. Furthermore, during the electroplating process, a titanium basket 200 is used to hold anode metals, such as nickel and copper. The titanium basket 200, containing the anode metal, is placed in the plating tank 100. When electricity is applied, cations are deposited and transferred to the cathode surface of the object being plated, completing the electroplating process.

[0041] In some embodiments of the present invention, the sensing assembly 300 includes a metal sensor, which is used to sense the anode metal in the titanium basket 200. This design enables the system to more accurately monitor the material conditions in the titanium basket 200, especially the height and quantity of the anode metal. Through real-time monitoring by the metal sensor, insufficient or excessive material can be detected in time, ensuring the smooth progress of the electroplating process and improving the electroplating quality and production efficiency. Optionally, refer to Figure 3 The titanium basket 200 is provided with a hollow portion 201. The metal sensor's detection side is positioned toward this hollow portion 201 to detect the material level within the basket 200. The hollow portion 201 allows the metal sensor to more accurately detect the material level within the basket 200, avoiding detection errors caused by obstruction by the basket's walls. The hollow portion 201 not only improves detection accuracy but also simplifies sensor installation and maintenance, further enhancing the system's reliability and stability.

[0042] Refer again Figure 1 In some embodiments of the present invention, the sensing component 300 includes a numbering QR code 310, which is used to number the titanium baskets 200. The receiving component 500 includes multiple matching QR codes 510, which are arranged in two rows on the driving track 400. The matching QR codes 510 correspond one-to-one with the positions of the numbering QR codes 310. QR code technology enables precise positioning and management of the titanium baskets 200, ensuring that the AGV 600 can accurately deliver materials to the designated titanium baskets 200. Furthermore, the use of QR codes not only improves the accuracy of material transfer, but also simplifies system management and maintenance, improving production efficiency. Furthermore, the AGV 600 is equipped with an identification component to recognize the matching QR code 510, enabling the AGV 600 to automatically identify and locate the correct titanium basket 200, ensuring accurate material transfer. The use of identification components increases the system's automation level, reduces manual intervention, reduces operational errors, and improves production efficiency and quality control. Common identification components include cameras and sensor chips. For example, the camera can scan and identify the alignment QR code 510. It should be noted that the numbering QR code 310 facilitates the identification of the positions of the numerous titanium baskets 200, facilitating the automated programming and control of the system. The alignment QR code 510 not only aligns with the numbering QR code 310 but also serves to further identify the path of the AGV 600. In addition to the initial programmed path, the AGV 600 can also verify the correctness of the current path by detecting the alignment QR code 510, thus preventing the AGV 600 from feeding incorrectly.

[0043] Refer again Figure 1In some embodiments of the present invention, the driving track 400 includes a plurality of tracks 410 arranged in a single row. The tracks 410 are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the positions of the titanium baskets 200. The two ends of the tracks 410 are respectively facing the two titanium baskets 200 arranged opposite to each other, so that the driving track 400 can better adapt to the layout of the titanium baskets 200, ensuring that the AGV trolley 600 can move efficiently and smoothly between each titanium basket 200. In addition, the design of the track 410 arranged in a single row not only improves the operating efficiency of the AGV trolley 600, but also simplifies the structure of the system and reduces maintenance costs. Furthermore, a feeding trough 401 is provided between adjacent tracks 410, and the two ends of the feeding trough 401 are respectively facing the two titanium baskets 200 arranged opposite to each other. It should be noted that the feeding trough 401 realizes the rapid and accurate transmission of materials, ensuring that the AGV trolley 600 can efficiently deliver materials to the designated titanium basket 200. Furthermore, the design of the feeding chute 401 not only improves the speed and accuracy of material transmission, but also reduces the running distance of the AGV 600, thereby further improving production efficiency.

[0044] Optionally, refer to Figure 2 In some embodiments of the present invention, the AGV 600 is equipped with a conveying pipe 610 that extends toward one side of the titanium basket 200 to transport materials into the basket 200. This allows the AGV 600 to directly transport materials into the basket 200, eliminating the inconvenience and errors of manual handling. Furthermore, the design of the conveying pipe 610 not only improves the efficiency and accuracy of material transfer, but also simplifies the structure of the AGV 600, improving the reliability and stability of the system. In some embodiments, the conveying pipe has a rotating structure. After the AGV reaches the target location, the conveying pipe rotates toward the side of the titanium basket, driving the outlet of the conveying pipe directly above the center of the titanium basket. The copper balls are then delivered into the titanium basket through the conveying pipe. In some embodiments, the conveying pipe has a telescopic structure. After the AGV reaches the target location, the conveying pipe extends outward, driving the outlet of the conveying pipe directly above the center of the titanium basket. The copper balls are then delivered into the titanium basket through the conveying pipe.

[0045] Refer again Figure 2In some embodiments of the present invention, the conveying pipe 610 is arranged at the bottom of the AGV trolley 600, so that the conveying pipe 610 can better adapt to the height of the titanium basket 200, ensuring that the material can smoothly enter the titanium basket 200. In addition, the conveying pipe 610 arranged at the bottom not only improves the efficiency of material transmission, but also reduces the space occupied by the AGV trolley 600, thereby improving the flexibility and adaptability of the system. Furthermore, the AGV trolley 600 is provided with a lifting rope 620, which is used to lift the AGV trolley 600 onto the driving track 400. Through the design of the lifting rope 620, the AGV trolley 600 can be easily installed and disassembled, which is convenient for maintenance and inspection of the system, which not only improves the flexibility of the system, but also simplifies the installation process of the AGV trolley 600 and reduces maintenance costs.

[0046] The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Various changes can be made within the scope of knowledge possessed by ordinary technicians in the relevant technical field without departing from the purpose of the present invention.

Claims

1. VCP electroplating line automatic feeding workstation, characterized by: include: A plating tank is used for electroplating PCB boards, wherein a plurality of titanium baskets arranged in double rows are provided in the plating tank; A plurality of sensing components are provided in the plating tank and arranged in double rows, the sensing components being arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the positions of the titanium baskets and being used to monitor the material conditions in the titanium baskets; A driving track is provided above the plating tank, and the driving track is used for the passage of the AGV; A receiving component is arranged on the driving track, and is used to communicate with the sensing component and control the AGV trolley to feed materials into the corresponding titanium basket.

2. The VCP electroplating line automatic feeding workstation according to claim 1, characterized in that: The induction component includes a metal sensor, and the metal sensor is used to sense the anode metal in the titanium basket.

3. The VCP electroplating line automatic feeding workstation according to claim 2, characterized in that: The titanium basket is provided with a hollow portion, and the detection side of the metal sensor is arranged toward the hollow portion to detect the height of the material in the titanium basket.

4. The VCP electroplating line automatic feeding workstation according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sensing component includes a numbering QR code, which is used to number the titanium basket. The receiving component includes multiple matching QR codes, which are arranged in double rows on the driving track. The matching QR codes correspond one-to-one to the positions of the numbering QR codes.

5. The VCP electroplating line automatic feeding workstation according to claim 4, characterized in that: The AGV is provided with an identification component to identify the check number QR code.

6. The VCP electroplating line automatic feeding workstation according to claim 1, characterized in that: The driving track includes a plurality of tracks arranged in a single row. The tracks are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the positions of the titanium baskets, and the two ends of the track are respectively directed towards the two titanium baskets arranged oppositely.

7. The VCP electroplating line automatic feeding workstation according to claim 6, characterized in that: A feeding trough is provided between adjacent tracks, and two ends of the feeding trough are respectively opposite to the two titanium baskets arranged oppositely.

8. The VCP electroplating line automatic feeding workstation according to claim 1 or 7, characterized in that: The AGV trolley is provided with a conveying pipe, which extends toward one side of the titanium basket to convey materials into the titanium basket.

9. The VCP electroplating line automatic feeding workstation according to claim 8, characterized in that: The conveying pipeline is arranged at the bottom of the AGV vehicle.

10. The VCP electroplating line automatic feeding workstation according to claim 1, characterized in that: The AGV trolley is provided with a hoisting rope, and the hoisting rope is used to hoist the AGV trolley onto the driving track.

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