Rotary Table for SMT Circuit Board Carrier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pick and place machines face complexity and error issues when handling large circuit boards, requiring multiple passes and manual rotation, which increases complexity and the risk of misplacement or damage.
Innovation Solution
A rotary table system that allows for the precise rotation of large circuit boards within a pick and place machine, enabling single-pass component placement with minimal computing resources and reduced manual handling, using a combination of roller bearings and positional sensing for accurate board positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple robots or manual rotation is used to handle large circuit boards, then component placement coverage is improved, but device complexity and error risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit board is mounted on a rotary table that can dynamically rotate during the pick-and-place process. This dynamic rotation allows a single robot to access different radial aspects of the board without requiring multiple stationary robots or manual intervention, thereby maintaining versatility while reducing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces rotational movement as an additional dimension to the traditional linear pick-and-place approach. By rotating the board in the radial direction, a single robot can service the entire board perimeter, eliminating the need for multiple robots arranged in linear arrays and reducing overall device complexity
2Productivity
If multiple passes with manual rotation are used, then complete component placement is achieved, but manufacturing precision and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Positional sensors continuously monitor the angular position of the rotary table and provide feedback to the control system. This feedback mechanism ensures that the board is rotated to precise angular positions, maintaining component placement accuracy throughout the rotation process and eliminating errors associated with manual reorientation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces manual mechanical rotation with an automated rotary table driven by a motor and controlled by a computer system. This substitution eliminates human error in positioning and rotation, ensuring consistent manufacturing precision while achieving complete component placement across the entire board
3Device complexity
If a single robot is used without rotation, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity and placement completeness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary table provides dynamic rotational capability that allows a single robot to service the entire board perimeter. The board rotates to bring different radial aspects into the robot's working area, maintaining simple device architecture while achieving complete component placement efficiency that would otherwise require multiple robots
4Ease of operation
If manual reorientation is performed, then board accessibility is improved, but loss of time and productivity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary table enables continuous automated rotation of the board during the pick-and-place process, eliminating interruptions for manual reorientation. The board rotates continuously or in controlled steps while the robot places components, maintaining uninterrupted productive action and reducing cycle time while preserving board accessibility from all radial aspects
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient, error-free, and high-precision placement of SMT components on large circuit boards without the need for multiple robots or manual reorientation, reducing labor and cycle times while enhancing processing yields.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of roller bearings interactively associated with the fixture, and which impart a low friction roll to at least a perimeter portion of the fixture
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure is and includes at least an apparatus, system and method for a rotary table suitable to receive surface mount technology (SMT) components onto a circuit board associated therewith. The apparatus, system and method may include a frame suitable for insertion into a pick and place machine, and having a receiving inset therein; a fixture suitable for removable insertion to the receiving inset; a plurality of roller bearings interactively associated with the fixture, and which impart a low friction roll to at least a perimeter portion of the fixture; and at least one guide on the frame suitable to at least partially positional maintain the circuit board associated with the fixture.