US5505777A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Computer controlled viscous fluid dispensing system
Assignee: Asymptotic Technologies Inc
•
Filing: 1994-02-07
•
Granted: 1996-04-09
•
Expires: 2014-02-07
Abstract
Abstract A computer controlled system for high speed surface mount adhesive placement in circuit board production includes a dot generator supported for motion along the X, Y and Z axes. The dot generator ejects a jet of viscous adhesive that breaks away from the nozzle of the dot generator as a result of its own forward momentum. The system includes an automatic circuit board conveyor with adjustable width and pneumatically operated lift and lock mechanisms. The system runs through a self-diagnostic set-up procedure and dot calibration routine. Dot size and location are monitored through a video camera and vision circuit. A computer interfaces with the vision circuit and with motion, dot generator and conveyor controllers so that the system can operate in a high volume production assembly line. Application programs are executed by the system computer typically utilizing CAD data from a disk or a computer integrated manufacturing (CIM) controller. The system automatically assigns dot sizes to specific components based on user specifications or a component library. Dot placement paths are optimized by aligning the in-line points.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert L. Ciardella
- 👤 Philip P. Maiorca
- 👤 Alec J. Babiarz
- 👤 Duong La
- 👤 Carlos E. Bouras
- 👤 Mark S. Meier
- 👤 John L. Christofferson
- 👤 Ronald N. Abernathy
- 👤 Stanley C. Aguilar
- 👤 James C. Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 13:24
CPC Classifications
B; B05; B05C; B05C11/00; B05C11/10; B05C11/1002; B05C11/1034; B05B; B05B12/00; B05B12/08; B05B12/085; B05B17/00; B05B17/04; B05C5/00; B05C5/001; B05C5/02; B05C5/0225; B23; B23K; B23K3/00; B23K3/06; B23K3/0607; H; H05; H05K; H05K13/00; H05K13/04; H05K13/046; H05K13/0469; H05K3/00; H05K3/30; H05K3/303; H05K3/305; B23K2101/00; B23K2101/36; B23K2101/40; H05K2203/00; H05K2203/01; H05K2203/0104; H05K2203/013; H05K2203/16; H05K2203/163; H05K3/32; H05K3/34; H05K3/3465; H05K3/3485; H10; H10W; H10W72/00; H10W72/071; H10W72/073; H10W74/00; H10W74/01; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P70/00; Y02P70/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
A viscous fluid dispensing system, comprising: a frame; conveyor means mounted on the frame for horizontally transporting a planar workpiece; an X-Y positioner mounted to the frame above the conveyor means and defining an X axis of movement and a Y axis of no movement; viscous fluid dot generator means mounted to the X-Y positioner for rapidly ejecting jets of viscous fluid to form dots on an upper surface of the workpiece without wetting the surface; dot generator controller means connected to the dot generator means for varying the size of the dots formed on the workpiece surface; and a priming station for drawing viscous fluid through the dot generator means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
111 words
A viscous fluid dispensing system, comprising: a frame; conveyor means mounted on the frame for horizontally transporting a planar workpiece; an X-Y positioner mounted to the frame above the conveyor means and defining an X axis of movement and a Y axis of no movement; viscous fluid dot generator means mounted to the X-Y positioner for rapidly ejecting jets of viscous fluid to form dots on an upper surface of the workpiece without wetting the surface; dot generator controller means connected to the dot generator means for varying the size of the dots formed on the workpiece surface; and a priming station for drawing viscous fluid through the dot generator means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
178 words
A viscous fluid dispensing system, comprising: a frame; conveyor means mounted on the frame for horizontally transporting a planar workpiece; an X-Y positioner mounted to the frame above the conveyor means and defining an X axis of movement and a Y axis of movement; viscous fluid dot generator means mounted to the X-Y positioner for rapidly ejecting jets of viscous fluid to form dots on an upper surface of the workpiece without wetting the surface; and dot generator controller means connected to the dot generator means for varying the size of the dots formed on the workpiece surface; wherein the dot generator means includes a nozzle that reciprocates relative to a feed tube, hammer means for striking the nozzle to eject the jets of viscous fluid and solenoid means for driving the hammer means; and wherein the dot generator controller means includes means for providing a predetermined electrical signal to the solenoid means to generate a predetermined impact energy when the hammer means strikes the nozzle to thereby cause a dot of a predetermined size to be generated.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
178 words
A viscous fluid dispensing system, comprising: a frame; conveyor means mounted on the frame for horizontally transporting a planar workpiece; an X-Y positioner mounted to the frame above the conveyor means and defining an X axis of movement and a Y axis of movement; viscous fluid dot generator means mounted to the X-Y positioner for rapidly ejecting jets of viscous fluid to form dots on an upper surface of the workpiece without wetting the surface; and dot generator controller means connected to the dot generator means for varying the size of the dots formed on the workpiece surface; wherein the dot generator means includes a nozzle that reciprocates relative to a feed tube, hammer means for striking the nozzle to eject the jets of viscous fluid and solenoid means for driving the hammer means; and wherein the dot generator controller means includes means for providing a predetermined electrical signal to the solenoid means to generate a predetermined impact energy when the hammer means strikes the nozzle to thereby cause a dot of a predetermined size to be generated.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
201 words
A viscous fluid dispensing system, comprising: a frame: conveyor means mounted on the frame for horizontally transporting a planar workpiece; an X-Y positioner mounted to the frame above the conveyor means and defining an X axis of movement and a Y axis of movement; viscous fluid dot generator means including a nozzle mounted to the X-Y positioner for rapidly ejecting jets of viscous fluid to form clots on an Upper surface of the workpiece without wetting the surface; dot generator controller means connected to the dot generator means for varying the size of the dots formed on the workpiece surface; and a computer connected to the dot generator controller means and the X-Y positioner for causing, dots to be formed at preprogrammed locations on the upper surface of the workpiece; wherein the computer includes means for calculating a pre-launch time and for causing the dot generator controller means to eject a jet of viscous fluid while the dot generator means is moving along the X axis or the Y axis a predetermined time interval before said nozzle of the dot generator means is over one of the preprogrammed locations so that a predetermined dot will be formed on the preprogrammed location.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
201 words
A viscous fluid dispensing system, comprising: a frame: conveyor means mounted on the frame for horizontally transporting a planar workpiece; an X-Y positioner mounted to the frame above the conveyor means and defining an X axis of movement and a Y axis of movement; viscous fluid dot generator means including a nozzle mounted to the X-Y positioner for rapidly ejecting jets of viscous fluid to form clots on an Upper surface of the workpiece without wetting the surface; dot generator controller means connected to the dot generator means for varying the size of the dots formed on the workpiece surface; and a computer connected to the dot generator controller means and the X-Y positioner for causing, dots to be formed at preprogrammed locations on the upper surface of the workpiece; wherein the computer includes means for calculating a pre-launch time and for causing the dot generator controller means to eject a jet of viscous fluid while the dot generator means is moving along the X axis or the Y axis a predetermined time interval before said nozzle of the dot generator means is over one of the preprogrammed locations so that a predetermined dot will be formed on the preprogrammed location.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
182 words
A viscous fluid dispensing system, comprising: a frame; conveyor means mounted on the frame for horizontally transporting a planar workpiece; an X-Y positioner mounted to the frame above the conveyor means and defining an X axis of movement and a Y axis of movement; viscous fluid dot generator means mounted to the X-Y positioner for rapidly ejecting jets of viscous fluid to form dots on an upper surface of the workpiece without wetting the surface; dot generator controller means connected to the dot generator means for varying the size of the dots formed on the workpiece surface; a computer connected to the dot generator controller means and the X-Y positioner for causing dots to be formed at preprogrammed locations on the upper surface of the workpiece; wherein the computer includes means for calculating an optimum straight line path of movement of the dot generator means so that a subset of a plurality of dots to be formed on the upper surface of the workpiece can be formed in a single pass of the dot generator means along the optimum straight line path.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
182 words
A viscous fluid dispensing system, comprising: a frame; conveyor means mounted on the frame for horizontally transporting a planar workpiece; an X-Y positioner mounted to the frame above the conveyor means and defining an X axis of movement and a Y axis of movement; viscous fluid dot generator means mounted to the X-Y positioner for rapidly ejecting jets of viscous fluid to form dots on an upper surface of the workpiece without wetting the surface; dot generator controller means connected to the dot generator means for varying the size of the dots formed on the workpiece surface; a computer connected to the dot generator controller means and the X-Y positioner for causing dots to be formed at preprogrammed locations on the upper surface of the workpiece; wherein the computer includes means for calculating an optimum straight line path of movement of the dot generator means so that a subset of a plurality of dots to be formed on the upper surface of the workpiece can be formed in a single pass of the dot generator means along the optimum straight line path.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
94 words
A viscous fluid dispensing system, comprising: a frame; a conveyor mounted on the frame for horizontally transporting a planar workpiece; an X-Y positioner mounted to the frame above the conveyor; a viscous fluid dot generator mounted to the X-Y positioner for rapidly ejecting jets of viscous fluid to form dots on an upper surface of the workpiece without wetting the surface; a dot generator controller connected to the dot generator for varying the size of the dots formed on the workpiece surface; and a priming station for drawing viscous fluid through the dot generator.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
94 words
A viscous fluid dispensing system, comprising: a frame; a conveyor mounted on the frame for horizontally transporting a planar workpiece; an X-Y positioner mounted to the frame above the conveyor; a viscous fluid dot generator mounted to the X-Y positioner for rapidly ejecting jets of viscous fluid to form dots on an upper surface of the workpiece without wetting the surface; a dot generator controller connected to the dot generator for varying the size of the dots formed on the workpiece surface; and a priming station for drawing viscous fluid through the dot generator.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
155 words
A viscous fluid dispensing system, comprising: a frame; a conveyor mounted on the frame for horizontally transporting a planar workpiece; an X-Y positioner mounted to the frame above the conveyor; a viscous fluid dot generator mounted to the X-Y positioner for rapidly ejecting jets of viscous fluid to form dots on an upper surface of the workpiece without wetting the surface, said dot generator including a nozzle that reciprocates relative to a feed tube, a hammer for striking the nozzle to eject the jets of viscous fluid, and a solenoid for driving the hammer; and a dot generator controller connected to the dot generator for varying the size of the dots formed on the workpiece surface, said dot generator controller including means for providing a predetermined electrical signal to the solenoid to generate a predetermined impact energy when the hammer strikes the nozzle to thereby cause a dot of a predetermined size to be generated.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
155 words
A viscous fluid dispensing system, comprising: a frame; a conveyor mounted on the frame for horizontally transporting a planar workpiece; an X-Y positioner mounted to the frame above the conveyor; a viscous fluid dot generator mounted to the X-Y positioner for rapidly ejecting jets of viscous fluid to form dots on an upper surface of the workpiece without wetting the surface, said dot generator including a nozzle that reciprocates relative to a feed tube, a hammer for striking the nozzle to eject the jets of viscous fluid, and a solenoid for driving the hammer; and a dot generator controller connected to the dot generator for varying the size of the dots formed on the workpiece surface, said dot generator controller including means for providing a predetermined electrical signal to the solenoid to generate a predetermined impact energy when the hammer strikes the nozzle to thereby cause a dot of a predetermined size to be generated.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
191 words
A viscous fluid dispensing system, comprising: a frame; a conveyor mounted on the frame for horizontally transporting a planar workpiece; an X-Y positioner movable along an X axis and a Y axis mounted to the frame above the conveyor; a viscous fluid dot generator including a nozzle mounted to the X-Y positioner for rapidly ejecting jets of viscous fluid to form dots on an upper surface of the workpiece without wetting the surface; and a dot generator controller connected to the dot generator for varying the size of the dots formed on the workpiece surface; and a computer connected to the dot generator controller and the X-Y positioner for causing dots to be formed at preprogrammed locations on the upper surface of the workpiece, said computer including means for calculating a pre-launch time and for causing the clot generator controller to eject a jet of viscous fluid while the dot generator is moving along the X axis or the Y axis a predetermined time interval before said nozzle of the dot generator is over one of the preprogrammed locations so that a predetermined dot will be formed on the preprogrammed location.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
191 words
A viscous fluid dispensing system, comprising: a frame; a conveyor mounted on the frame for horizontally transporting a planar workpiece; an X-Y positioner movable along an X axis and a Y axis mounted to the frame above the conveyor; a viscous fluid dot generator including a nozzle mounted to the X-Y positioner for rapidly ejecting jets of viscous fluid to form dots on an upper surface of the workpiece without wetting the surface; and a dot generator controller connected to the dot generator for varying the size of the dots formed on the workpiece surface; and a computer connected to the dot generator controller and the X-Y positioner for causing dots to be formed at preprogrammed locations on the upper surface of the workpiece, said computer including means for calculating a pre-launch time and for causing the clot generator controller to eject a jet of viscous fluid while the dot generator is moving along the X axis or the Y axis a predetermined time interval before said nozzle of the dot generator is over one of the preprogrammed locations so that a predetermined dot will be formed on the preprogrammed location.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
164 words
A viscous fluid dispensing system, comprising: a frame; a conveyor mounted on the frame for horizontally transporting a planar workpiece; an X-Y positioner mounted to the frame above the conveyor; a viscous fluid dot generator mounted to the X-Y positioner for rapidly ejecting jets of viscous fluid to form dots on an upper surface of the workpiece without wetting the surface; and a dot generator controller connected to the dot generator for varying the size of the dots formed on the workpiece surface; a computer connected to the dot generator controller and the X-Y positioner for causing dots to be formed at preprogrammed locations on the upper surface of the workpiece, said computer including means for calculating an optimum straight line path of movement of the dot generator so that a subset of a plurality of dots to be formed on the upper surface of the workpiece can be formed in a single pass of the dot generator along the optimum straight line path.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
164 words
A viscous fluid dispensing system, comprising: a frame; a conveyor mounted on the frame for horizontally transporting a planar workpiece; an X-Y positioner mounted to the frame above the conveyor; a viscous fluid dot generator mounted to the X-Y positioner for rapidly ejecting jets of viscous fluid to form dots on an upper surface of the workpiece without wetting the surface; and a dot generator controller connected to the dot generator for varying the size of the dots formed on the workpiece surface; a computer connected to the dot generator controller and the X-Y positioner for causing dots to be formed at preprogrammed locations on the upper surface of the workpiece, said computer including means for calculating an optimum straight line path of movement of the dot generator so that a subset of a plurality of dots to be formed on the upper surface of the workpiece can be formed in a single pass of the dot generator along the optimum straight line path.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-04-09 | 1999-10-09 | 2000-04-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-04-09 | 2003-10-09 | 2004-04-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-04-09 | 2007-10-09 | 2008-04-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |