Panel positioning method

Details Panel positioning method Panel positioning method

1998-11-24

2001-04-24

Hughes, S. Thomas (Department: 3726)

Metal working

Method of mechanical manufacture

Work holding

C029S464000, C269S047000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06219899

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to methods and apparatuses for positioning panels on a work surface in register with a tool to permit accurate operations on the panel, and particularly to methods of positioning printed circuit panels relative to stencil or screen printing patterns.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
U.S. Pat. No. 4,793,052 illustrates, methods and apparatuses for positioning panels, such as printed circuit panels, on a work surface. A registration mechanism displaces engaging member, such as locating pins, equidistantly and synchronously in opposite directions into engagement with contact areas, such as locating slots or holes in the panel, to fix the panel position relative to the work surface so that a tool can perform its function with respect to the panel.
Often, the tool operating on the panels, such as a frame holding a printing pattern, must move repetitively with great accuracy relative to successive panels mounted on the work face to complete the processing on each panel. Such tools must also operate in registry with the panels. However, the weight of the tool or the complexity of its mounting and movement makes registration of the tool with the panels or the co-ordinates of the panels difficult.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to an embodiment of the invention, the registration mechanism that contains and moves the pins is itself movable relative to the workface, and the registration mechanism is moved into registry with the tool by engaging the mechanism's engagement elements with contact areas on the tool and then fixing the registration mechanism in position relative to the tool operating position, before registering the panel with the tool.
The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with specificity in the claims forming a part of this specification. Objects and advantages of the invention will become evident from the following detailed description when read in light of the accompanying drawings.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5014413 (1991-05-01), Ammann
patent: 5862583 (1999-01-01), Ammann et al.

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