System for depaneling PCB elements and feeding them to an operating machine

Abstract

A system (10) for separating PCB elements (2') (printed circuit board) from multiple blocks (2) of PCB elements and for feeding them to an operating machine is described. The system (10) comprises: - a first set of separation lines (20) for separating the PCB elements (2') from their respective multiple blocks (2) of PCB elements, each separation line (20) comprising a separation station (24) and a transport system (21 A, 2 IB) for moving a plurality of workpiece-holding units (22), configured to receive, each, a multiple block (2) of PCB elements, at the separation station (24), said separation station being configured to separate the PCB elements (2') from their respective multiple blocks (2) of PCB elements without removing them from the workpiece-holding units (22); and - a second set of feeding lines (40) for feeding the separated PCB elements (2') to the operating machine, each feeding line (40) comprising a conveyor (41) configured for moving a mobile unit (42) configured to receive the separated PCB elements (2') of at least one multiple block (2) of PCB elements.

Description

[0001] "System for Depaneling PCB Elements and Feeding Them to an Operating Machine"

[0002] ****

[0003] DESCRIPTION TEXT

[0004] Field and object of the invention

[0005] The present invention relates to a system for separating PCB (printed circuit board) elements from multiple blocks of PCB elements, and for feeding them to an operating machine.

[0006] As known, printed circuits - hereinafter referred to as PCB elements - are usually manufactured in the form of multiple blocks of printed circuits for production efficiency reasons.

[0007] It is therefore necessary to perform a separation operation (so-called depaneling) of the different PCB elements from the multiple blocks in which they are produced, before they can be fed to the assembly lines of the products in which the PCB elements are intended to be integrated.

[0008] The depaneling operation proves to be a complex operation that requires relatively long operating cycles compared to the machine cycles that characterize assembly lines.

[0009] Therefore, to date, depaneling stations are kept separate from assembly lines, and it is instead preferred to create a stock of PCB elements, which is then used to load the assembly lines according to the needs of specific applications.

[0010] In this context, the present invention provides a system for depaneling PCB elements which is also capable of directly feeding the separated PCB elements to an operating machine, such as for example an assembly line.

[0011] In general, the present invention relates to a system according to claim 1.

[0012] The claims form an integral part of the teaching provided herein.

[0013] Detailed description of one or more embodiments of the invention

[0014] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, provided by way of non-limiting example, in which:

[0015] - figure 1 schematically represents a first preferred embodiment of the system described herein;

[0016] - figure 2 schematically represents a second preferred embodiment of the system described herein.

[0017] In the following description, various specific details are illustrated aimed at an in-depth understanding of the embodiments. The embodiments can be implemented without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components or materials etc. In other instances, known material structures or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring various aspects of the embodiment.

[0018] The references used herein are for convenience only and therefore do not define the scope of protection or the scope of the embodiments.

[0019] With reference to figure 1, the system described herein, overall indicated by reference number 10, comprises:

[0020] - separation lines 20 for separating PCB elements 2' from respective multiple blocks 2 of PCB elements; and

[0021] - feeding lines 40 for feeding the separated PCB elements 2' to an operating machine.

[0022] For reasons that will become apparent below, the number of separation lines 20 and feeding lines 40 can vary according to the needs of specific applications.

[0023] Each separation line 20 can have the configuration described below.

[0024] In one or more preferred embodiments, as illustrated, the separation line 20 comprises a separation station 24 and a transport system 21 for moving a plurality of workpiece-holding units 22 along a closed-loop transport path that passes through the separation station 24.

[0025] In one or more preferred embodiments, as illustrated, the separation station 24 comprises a laser cutting head 24A and a closed chamber 24B within which the laser cutting head 24A operates to separate, via cutting, the PCB elements 2' from the respective multiple blocks 2 of PCB elements carried by the workpiece-holding units 22.

[0026] In one or more preferred embodiments, as illustrated, the transport system 21 comprises a conveyor 21 A, which extends along an outbound branch of the transport path, between a loading station S 1, where the multiple blocks of PCB elements 2 are loaded onto the workpiece-holding units 22 that reach this station, and a delivery station S2, where a transfer device 30 picks up the separated PCB elements from the workpiece-holding units 22, to transfer them to the feeding lines 40.

[0027] The conveyor 21A runs through the closed chamber 24B, so as to bring the workpiece-holding units 22 into correspondence with the laser cutting head 24 A, for the separation of the PCB elements 2' from the multiple blocks 2 positioned on the workpiece-holding units 22.

[0028] The transport system 21 can comprise a first transfer device 21C for transferring the workpiece-holding units 22 from the loading station S 1 to the conveyor 21 A, and a second transfer device 2 ID', for transferring the workpiece-holding units 22 from the conveyor belt 21 A to the delivery station S2.

[0029] In one or more preferred embodiments, as illustrated, the transport system 21 comprises a further conveyor 2 IB, which extends instead along a return branch of the transport path, to return the workpiece-holding units 22 from the delivery station S2 to the loading station SI.

[0030] In one or more preferred embodiments, the conveyor 2 IB is positioned elevated relative to the conveyor 21A and runs above the separation station 24, so as to leave the area surrounding this station free, in order to allow access to this station by operators.

[0031] The transport system 21 comprises a lifting device 21C configured to lift the workpiece-holding units 22 that are in the delivery station S2, so as to transfer them to a first, overlying end of the conveyor 2 IB, and furthermore, a lowering device 2 ID configured to pick up the workpieceholding units 22 from a second opposite end of the conveyor 2 IB and transfer them to the underlying loading station SI.

[0032] In one or more preferred embodiments, the lowering device 2 ID is, furthermore, configured to tilt the workpiece-holding units 22 downward, during the phase of transferring them, so as to discharge into a predefined collection zone located in an adjacent position, the residual parts of the multiple blocks 2, remaining on the workpiece-holding units 22 after the PCB elements 2' have been delivered to the feeding lines 40.

[0033] Preferably, the lowering device 2 ID is a robotic arm provided with at least one articulated operating axis.

[0034] In alternative embodiments, the aforementioned cleaning action of the workpiece-holding units 22 can instead be performed by a dedicated device, for example a suction head configured to pick up via suction the aforementioned residual parts of the multiple blocks 2.

[0035] In an alternative embodiment, the devices 21C and 2 ID also perform the transfer actions described above as actions performed by the two devices 21C and 2 ID', so that the latter are not provided in this case.

[0036] Preferably, the separation lines 20 all have the same configuration illustrated above and are mutually arranged so that their respective conveyors 21 A, which define the outbound branches of the transport paths of the separation lines 20, extend parallel to each other along a first main direction X of the system 10.

[0037] The transfer device 30 performs a linking action between the respective separation line 20 and the different feeding lines 40.

[0038] Preferably, the transfer device 30 comprises a gripping unit configured to pick up simultaneously all the PCB elements 2' carried by the workpiece-holding unit 22 that is in the delivery station S2.

[0039] The transfer device 30 can comprise a Cartesian axis handling system for moving the gripping unit between the delivery station S2 and the feeding lines 40.

[0040] With reference now to the feeding lines 40, each of these can have the configuration illustrated below.

[0041] In one or more preferred embodiments, as illustrated, the feeding line 40 comprises a conveyor 41 configured to move a mobile unit 42 indifferently to any one of a plurality of receiving positions Pi, where the mobile unit 42 receives the PCB elements 2' picked up from the delivery station S2 of a respective separation line 20, by the respective transfer device 30.

[0042] In other words, the system 20 is arranged so that each of the separation lines 20 can transfer the PCB elements 2' separated by it to the feeding line 40, via the respective transfer device 30, which brings the PCB elements to a specific receiving position Pi, along the conveyor 41, which is exclusively associated with the single separation line 20.

[0043] The conveyor 41 is furthermore configured to move the mobile unit 42 to a feeding position P2 provided for feeding the PCB elements 2' to the operating machine.

[0044] Preferably, the conveyor 41 comprises a guide 41A extending along a direction parallel to a second main direction Y of the system 10, which is transverse to the first main direction X. The guide 41 runs longitudinally so as to cross the plurality of receiving positions Pi and up to reaching the feeding position P2. The mobile unit 42 is free to move along the guide 41 in the two opposite directions, so as to be able to go back and forth between the different receiving positions Pi and the feeding position P2.

[0045] Preferably, the mobile unit 42 is a motorized cart, which, even more preferably, is provided with its own battery electric power supply system.

[0046] Preferably, the mobile unit 42 is easily removable from the guide 41 to allow its battery to be recharged in a dedicated charging station (not illustrated), which is located in a position detached from the feeding lines 40.

[0047] Optionally, the system 10 can comprise a fleet of mobile units 42, some of which are in use on the feeding lines 40, and the others parked, for example in said charging station, waiting to replace the next mobile units 42 that will have a discharged battery.

[0048] In alternative embodiments, the mobile unit 42 can be moved along the guide 41 via a belt drive system.

[0049] The mobile unit 42 is provided with a container 44, for example, a tray, configured to house the PCB elements 2' received from the transfer device 30, preferably in the same arrangement in which they were on the workpiece-holding units 22.

[0050] Preferably, the container 44 comprises internal dividers configured to keep the PCB elements 2' separated from each other, in said arrangement.

[0051] Preferably, the feeding lines 40 all have the same configuration illustrated above and are mutually arranged so that their respective conveyors 41 extend parallel to each other along the second main direction Y of the system 10.

[0052] It will be noted that, in the preferred embodiments illustrated in the figures, the receiving positions Pi dedicated to the various separation lines 20 are identified, on each conveyor 41, at the points of intersection between this and, respectively, the ideal extensions of the conveyors 21A of the separation lines 20.

[0053] The mobile units 42 of the feeding lines 40 are movable independently along the guides 41, and the mobile unit 42 of each feeding line 40 is capable of operating to receive the PCB elements 2' from the different separation lines 20, and to bring them to the feeding position P2 of the respective feeding line 40.

[0054] The operating modes of the mobile units 42 can be multiple.

[0055] With specific reference to the embodiment illustrated in figure 1, the two mobile units 42 of the two feeding lines 40 can, for example, be moved to simultaneously bring themselves, one, to a first of the two receiving positions Pi, and the other, to the second of the two receiving positions Pi, to receive, each, the PCB elements 2' from the separation line 20 of the respective receiving position, and subsequently to bring themselves, still simultaneously, to the feeding position P4 of the respective feeding line 40, for feeding the PCB elements 2' to the operating machine.

[0056] Conversely, in a different operating mode, while one of the two mobile units 42 is in one of the two receiving positions Pi, to receive the PCB elements 2' from the separation line 20 assigned to that receiving position, the other mobile unit 42 is instead in the feeding position P2 of the respective feeding line 40, to feed to the operating machine the PCB elements 2' received at the other of the two receiving positions Pi.

[0057] At the positions P2 of the two feeding lines 40, a loading system 400 can be provided, configured to load the PCB elements 2' onto trays of a transport system of the operating machine.

[0058] As anticipated above, the number of separation lines 20 and feeding lines 40 can vary according to the needs of specific applications.

[0059] In this regard, the system 10 according to the embodiment of figure 1 comprises two separation lines 20, to which two feeding lines 40 are connected; on the other hand, the system according to the embodiment of figure 2 comprises four separation lines 20, to which two feeding lines 40 are still connected.

[0060] In this second case, the same two mobile units 42 of the two feeding lines 40 operate to receive the PCB elements 2' from each of the four separation lines 20, and to bring them to the feeding positions P4 for their feeding to the operating machine.

[0061] In view of the above, it will be understood that the system 10 described herein is capable of realizing a feeding of PCB elements to an operating machine, directly from depaneling lines, and being able to provide the operating machine with a flow of PCB elements compatible with its rapid cycle times.

[0062] At the same time, the system 10 is capable of performing depaneling operations under optimal conditions, exploiting longer cycle times.

[0063] Naturally, the principle of the invention remaining the same, the details of construction and the embodiments may vary, even significantly, with respect to what has been illustrated herein by way of non-limiting example only, without thereby departing from the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. System (10) for separating PCB elements (2') (printed circuit board) from multiple blocks (2) of PCB elements and for feeding them to an operating machine, said system (10) comprising:- a first set of separation lines (20) for separating the PCB elements (2') from their respective multiple blocks (2) of PCB elements, each separation line (20) comprising a separation station (24) and a transport system (21 A, 2 IB) for moving a plurality of workpiece-holding units (22), configured to receive, each, a multiple block (2) of PCB elements, to the separation station (24), said separation station being configured to separate the PCB elements (2') from their respective multiple blocks (2) of PCB elements without removing them from the workpiece-holding units (22); and- a second set of feeding lines (40) for feeding the separated PCB elements (2') to the operating machine, each feeding line (40) comprising a conveyor (41) configured for moving a mobile unit (42) configured to receive the separated PCB elements (2') of at least one multiple block (2) of PCB elements, wherein the conveyor (41) is configured to move the mobile unit (42) to any one of a plurality of receiving positions (Pi), where the mobile unit (42) receives the PCB elements coming from a respective separation line (20) of the first set of separation lines (20), so that the mobile unit can receive PCB elements from any of the separation lines (20), and to move the mobile unit (22) to a feeding position (P2) for feeding the PCB elements to the operating machine.

2. System according to claim 1, wherein said separation station (24) comprises a laser cutting head (24A) and a closed chamber (24B), within which said laser cutting head (24A) operates to perform the separation of the PCB elements (2') from their respective multiple blocks (2) of PCB elements carried by the workpiece-holding units (22).

3. System according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said transport system (21 A, 2 IB) is configured to move the workpiece-holding units (22) along a closed-loop transport path (K) comprising an outbound branch, which passes through said closed chamber (24B) and extends between a loading station(S 1) for loading the multiple blocks (2) of PCB elements onto the workpieceholding units (22), and a delivery station (S2) for delivering the PCB elements (2') separated from their respective multiple blocks (2) to a transfer device (30).

4. System according to claim 3, wherein the transport path (K) of said transport system comprises a return branch for returning the workpieceholding units (22) from the delivery station (S2) to the loading station (SI).

5. System according to claim 4, wherein said transport system comprises, along the return branch, a cleaning device configured to remove from said workpiece-holding units (22) residual parts of the multiple blocks (2) of PCB elements, remaining on the workpiece-holding units (22) after the PCB elements (2') have been picked up by the transfer device (30).

6. System according to claim 5, wherein said cleaning device is a robotic arm configured to move the workpiece-holding units (22) along a section of said return branch and to tilt the workpiece-holding units (22) downward so as to drop the residual parts of the multiple blocks into an underlying collection zone.

7. System according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein said return branch is an upper branch that is vertically spaced from the outbound branch, lower, and runs above said closed chamber (24B) of said separation station (24).

8. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mobile units (42) of the second set of feeding lines (40) are movable, along their respective conveyors (41), according to a back and forth movement between the plurality of receiving positions (Pi) and the feeding position (P2), and independently of each other.

9. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the separation lines (20) of said first set extend parallel to each other along a first main direction (X), and wherein the feeding lines (40) of said second set extend parallel to each other along a second main direction (Y), which is transverse to said first main direction (X).

10. System according to claim 9, wherein for each feeding line (40) the plurality of receiving positions (Pi) are defined on the respective conveyor (41) at points of intersection between this and, respectively, the ideal extensions of the separation lines (20).

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