Method and apparatus for automatically adjusting dispensing units of a dispenser

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9936585-B2
Application number	US-201715628987-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 21, 2017
Priority date	Sep 30, 2013
Publication date	Apr 3, 2018
Grant date	Apr 3, 2018

Abstract

A dispensing apparatus includes a frame having a gantry configured to provide movement in the X axis and Y axis directions, and first and second dispensing units coupled to the gantry and configured to dispense material onto a substrate. The second dispensing unit is coupled to the gantry by an automatic adjustment mechanism. The dispensing apparatus further includes a controller configured to control the operation of the gantry, the first dispenser, the second dispenser, and the automatic adjustment mechanism. The automatic adjustment mechanism is configured to move the second dispenser in the X axis and Y axis directions to manipulate a spacing between the first dispensing unit and the second dispensing. Methods of dispensing material on the substrate are further disclosed.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A dispensing apparatus comprising:
a frame including a gantry configured to provide movement in X axis and Y axis directions, the gantry including a first side rail, a second side rail and a beam that extends between the first side rail and the second side rail, the beam being configured to move in the Y axis direction along the first and second side rails to achieve Y axis movement, the gantry further including a carriage mounted on the beam, the carriage being configured to move along the length of the beam in the X axis direction;
a support coupled to the frame, the support being configured to support at least one electronic substrate under the gantry;
a first dispenser coupled to the carriage, the first dispenser being configured to dispense material;
a second dispenser coupled to the carriage by an automatic adjustment mechanism, the second dispenser being configured to dispense material;
an imager coupled to one of the frame and the gantry, the imager being configured to capture at least one image of a first pattern and a second pattern of an electronic substrate, the second pattern being substantially identical to the first pattern; and
a controller configured to control the operation of the gantry, the first dispenser, the second dispenser, the automatic adjustment mechanism, and the imager,
wherein the automatic adjustment mechanism is configured to move the second dispenser in the X axis direction to manipulate and adjust a spacing between the first dispenser and the second dispenser during a dispensing operation in which the first dispenser and the second dispenser dispense material on the electronic substrate, and
wherein the automatic adjustment mechanism includes a linear bearing secured to the carriage, a mounting block configured to ride along the linear bearing, coupled to the second dispenser, and a first linear drive motor assembly configured to move the mounting block along the linear bearing.

2. The dispensing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first linear drive motor assembly includes a ball screw driven linear actuator, which is driven by a mechanically coupled motor.

3. The dispensing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the automatic adjustment mechanism is further configured to move the second dispenser in the Y axis direction and includes a first bracket secured to the mounting block, the first bracket extending in a direction perpendicular to a direction of the linear bearing, and a second bracket secured to the second dispenser and configured to ride along the first bracket.

4. The dispensing apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the automatic adjustment mechanism further includes a second linear drive motor assembly configured to move the second bracket along the first bracket.

5. The dispensing apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the second linear drive motor assembly includes a ball screw driven linear actuator, which is driven by a mechanically coupled motor.

6. The dispensing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein, for each of the first dispenser and the second dispenser, a Z drive is configured to support and lower the dispenser when performing a dispense operation with the dispenser.

7. The dispensing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein if the two patterns are not properly positioned, the automatic adjustment mechanism being configured to dynamically position the second dispenser while continuing to dispense with the first and second dispensers.

8. The dispensing apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the imager is configured to locate at least a portion of the electronic substrate and calculate a relative offset and rotation of the at least one portion of the electronic substrate.

Assignees

• Illinois Tool Works

Inventors

• Reid Scott A
• Read Hugh R
• Prentice Thomas C

Classifications

• B05C11/1021

  responsive to presence or shape of target (B05C11/1018 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B05C5/0212

  only at particular parts of the articles (at particular part of web, band, strip, belt or ribbon B05C5/025) · CPC title

• H05K13/08

  Monitoring manufacture of assemblages · CPC title

• H05K13/0469 Primary

  by applying a glue or viscous material · CPC title

• H05K3/30

  Assembling printed circuits with electric components, e.g. with resistors · CPC title