Parallel-Kinematic Workpiece Support for Multi-PCB Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing screen-printing technologies face inefficiencies when printing multiple circuit boards simultaneously, particularly due to the need to handle defective boards and the complexity of aligning and supporting individual boards for simultaneous printing.
Innovation Solution
A workpiece support assembly with adjustable support towers, each equipped with a parallel kinematic system, allows for precise alignment and positioning of singulated workpieces, enabling simultaneous printing while accommodating variations in board size and orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple boards are printed simultaneously using the same screen, then printing efficiency is improved, but the complexity of aligning and supporting individual boards increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support system is divided into multiple independent support members, each capable of individually positioning a separate board. This segmentation allows each board to be aligned and supported independently while maintaining simultaneous printing capability, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and alignment complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The support members are designed with adjustable and movable components that can dynamically adapt to different board positions and orientations. This dynamic capability enables precise alignment of multiple boards simultaneously without requiring complex fixed support structures, thereby improving productivity while managing alignment complexity.
2Reliability
If individual boards are pre-separated before printing, then defective boards can be rejected immediately, but the difficulty of supporting and aligning individual small boards increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support members are designed with universal capabilities to handle various board sizes and types through adjustable clamping and positioning mechanisms. This multi-functionality allows individual boards to be easily supported and aligned after separation, maintaining reliability for defect detection while ensuring ease of operation during the printing process.
3Productivity
If multiple screens are used to print different areas or boards, then simultaneous printing capability is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple aperture patterns that would traditionally require separate screens are merged into a single screen. The support members are positioned to align with specific aperture patterns on this combined screen, enabling simultaneous printing of multiple boards or areas using one screen rather than multiple screens, thus improving productivity while reducing screen management complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C
AI summary
A workpiece support assembly (80) for supporting and aligning a plurality of single workpieces (35, 35A), comprises an assembly body (82) and a plurality of support members (10, 81) mounted on the assembly body (82), each supporting a workpiece (35, 35A) when in use, each support member (10, 81) comprising: a base (12) mounted on the assembly body (82), a head unit (11) for supporting a workpiece (35, 35A) thereon, and an actuation mechanism (40) for moving the head unit (11) relative to the base (12), wherein the actuation mechanism (40) comprises a parallel kinematic system having at least three drive units (15, 41) each directly acting on the head unit (11), such that the actuation mechanism (40) is selectively operative to move the head unit (11) relative to the base (12) to cause a translation of the head unit (11) parallel to a plane (XY), a rotation (θ) of the head unit (11) about an axis orthogonal to that plane (XY), or a combination of said translation and said rotation (θ).