U.S. patent application number 10/054733 was filed with the patent office on 2003-01-02 for dispensing system and method.
Invention is credited to Crouch, Kenneth C., Prentice, Thomas C., Prescott, Brian P., Scott, Murray D..
Application Number | 20030000462 10/054733 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27364283 |
Filed Date | 2003-01-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030000462 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Prentice, Thomas C. ; et
al. |
January 2, 2003 |
Dispensing system and method
Abstract
A dispensing system and method for dispensing material onto a
substrate. The dispensing system includes a frame, a support,
coupled to the frame, that supports the substrate at a dispensing
position in the dispensing system, and a dispensing head, coupled
to the frame, that dispenses the material onto the substrate. The
dispensing head includes a motor unit having a first motor coupled
to an output drive mechanism, and a dispensing unit, removably
coupled to the motor unit, having a material outlet from which the
dispensing material is dispensed, the dispensing unit having a
dispensing mechanism coupled to the material outlet and coupled to
the output drive mechanism of the motor unit such that operation of
the first motor causes the dispensing mechanism to dispense
material through the outlet.
Inventors: |
Prentice, Thomas C.;
(Westford, MA) ; Prescott, Brian P.; (Fremont,
NH) ; Crouch, Kenneth C.; (Andover, MA) ;
Scott, Murray D.; (Hudson, NH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MINTZ, LEVIN, COHN, FERRIS,
GLOVSKY AND POPEO, P.C.
ONE FINANCIAL CENTER
BOSTON
MA
02111
US
|
Family ID: |
27364283 |
Appl. No.: |
10/054733 |
Filed: |
January 22, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10054733 |
Jan 22, 2002 |
|
|
|
09643324 |
Aug 22, 2000 |
|
|
|
6395334 |
|
|
|
|
09643324 |
Aug 22, 2000 |
|
|
|
09253119 |
Feb 19, 1999 |
|
|
|
6214117 |
|
|
|
|
09253119 |
Feb 19, 1999 |
|
|
|
09033022 |
Mar 2, 1998 |
|
|
|
6007631 |
|
|
|
|
09253119 |
Feb 19, 1999 |
|
|
|
09189014 |
Nov 9, 1998 |
|
|
|
6206964 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
118/300 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01L 21/67706 20130101;
B23K 2101/40 20180801; H01L 21/6715 20130101; B23K 3/0607 20130101;
H01L 21/6776 20130101; H01L 21/67721 20130101; H05K 13/0469
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
118/300 |
International
Class: |
B05D 005/00; B05C
005/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A dispensing system for dispensing material onto a substrate,
the dispensing system comprising: a frame; a support, coupled to
the frame, that supports the substrate at a dispensing position in
the dispensing system; and a dispensing head, coupled to the frame,
that dispenses the material onto the substrate, the dispensing head
including: a motor unit having a first motor coupled to an output
drive mechanism; and a dispensing unit, removably coupled to the
motor unit, having a material outlet from which the dispensing
material is dispensed, the dispensing unit having a dispensing
mechanism coupled to the material outlet and coupled to the output
drive mechanism of the motor unit such that operation of the first
motor causes the dispensing mechanism to dispense material through
the outlet.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of divisional patent
application U.S. Ser. No. 09/643,324, filed on Aug. 22, 2000, which
is a divisional of U.S. Ser. No. 09/253,119, filed Feb. 19, 1999
(U.S. Pat. No. 6,214,117), which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
Ser. No. 09/033,022, filed Mar. 2, 1998 (U.S. Pat. No. 6,007,631)
and U.S. Ser. No. 09/189,014, filed Nov. 9, 1998 (U.S. Pat. No.
6,206,964), each of which are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to an apparatus and
method for performing a plurality of work operations in parallel
using a plurality of work devices within one workstation. More
specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus and
method for dispensing material onto a substrate using one or more
dispensing heads in a dispensing system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] There are several types of prior art dispensing systems used
for dispensing metered amounts of liquid or paste for a variety of
applications. One such application is in the assembly of printed
circuit boards and integrated circuit chips. In this application,
dispensing systems are used in the process of encapsulating
integrated circuits with an encapsulating material and in the
process of underfilling flip integrated circuit chips with an
encapsulent. Prior art dispensing systems are also used for
dispensing dots or balls of liquid epoxy or solder paste onto
circuit boards and integrated circuits. The liquid epoxy and solder
are used to secure components or connect components, respectively,
to a circuit board or to an integrated circuit. The dispensing
systems described above include those manufactured and distributed
by Speedline Technologies, Inc, the assignee of the present
invention, under the name CAMALOT.TM..
[0004] The dispensing systems described above are typically used in
an electronics manufacturing facility in an automated assembly line
with other equipment used in a circuit board or integrated circuit
manufacturing process. The other equipment in-line with the
dispensing systems may include, for example, pick and place
machines, which place components on circuit boards, or reflow ovens
that are used to heat materials, such as solder paste, dispensed
onto the circuit boards or integrated circuits.
[0005] In a typical dispensing system, a pump and dispenser
assembly is mounted to a moving assembly for moving the pump and
dispenser assembly along three mutually orthogonal axes (x, y, z)
using servomotors controlled by a computer system or controller. To
dispense a dot of liquid on a circuit board at a desired location,
the pump and dispenser assembly is moved along the horizontal x and
y axes until it is located over the desired location. The pump and
dispenser assembly is then lowered along the vertical z axis until
the nozzle of the pump and dispenser assembly is at an appropriate
dispensing height over the board. The pump and dispenser assembly
dispenses a dot of liquid, is then raised along the z axis, moved
along the x and y axes to a new location, and is lowered along the
z axis to dispense the next liquid dot.
[0006] During the manufacture of circuit boards, it is sometimes
necessary, or desirable, to dispense two different liquids or
pastes onto a circuit board or to dispense different volumes of the
same material. Dispensing systems have been designed that can
dispense one of a number of dispensing materials from one
dispensing head. One example of such a dispensing system is
described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/519,146, filed
Aug. 24, 1995, which is incorporated herein by reference. These
dispensing systems typically are only able to dispense one material
at a time, and the throughput of product in these systems may be
less than desired because of the time required to dispense multiple
materials serially using one dispensing head.
[0007] To overcome the throughput problem, two dispensing systems
may be placed adjacent to each other with the first dispensing
system dispensing one material and the second dispensing system
dispensing a second material. This solution is expensive since two
complete machines are used, and since additional manufacturing
space is required. In typical operations, manufacturing floor space
is limited, and it is desirable to limit the "footprint" of each
manufacturing system on the manufacturing floor.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In one general aspect, the invention features a dispensing
system for dispensing material onto a substrate. The dispensing
system includes a frame, a support, coupled to the frame, that
supports the substrate at a dispensing position in the dispensing
system, and a dispensing head, coupled to the frame, that dispenses
the material onto the substrate. The dispensing head includes a
motor unit having a first motor coupled to an output drive
mechanism and a dispensing unit, removably coupled to the motor
unit, having a material outlet from which the dispensing material
is dispensed. The dispensing unit has a dispensing mechanism
coupled to the material outlet and coupled to the output drive
mechanism of the motor unit such that operation of the first motor
causes the dispensing mechanism to dispense material through the
outlet.
[0009] The motor unit can include a second motor operatively
coupled to a lift plate to provide vertical movement of the lift
plate, and the dispensing unit can further include an adapter that
couples to the lift plate to provide vertical movement of the
dispensing mechanism to lower the dispensing mechanism towards the
substrate for dispensing.
[0010] The output drive mechanism can include a first gear and the
dispensing mechanism can include a second gear disposed to engage
the first gear. The first gear can have elongated teeth and the
second gear can be constructed and arranged to move vertically when
the dispensing mechanism is lowered while maintaining engagement
with the elongated teeth of the first gear.
[0011] The dispensing unit and the motor unit can be constructed
and arranged to provide kinematic mating between the dispensing
unit and the motor unit. The dispensing unit can include a
plurality of electrical contacts, and the motor unit can include a
plurality of electrical contacts for operatively coupling to the
electrical contacts of the dispensing unit. The dispensing unit can
include electrical identification circuitry coupled to the
plurality of electrical contacts that provides identification of
characteristics of the dispensing unit. The electrical
identification circuitry can include a data storage element
containing calibration data for the dispensing unit.
[0012] The dispensing unit can include an inlet pneumatic port and
the motor unit can include an output pneumatic port that mates with
the inlet pneumatic port of the dispensing unit to provide
pressurized air to the dispensing unit. The dispensing unit can
include a syringe coupled to the dispensing mechanism to provide
dispensing material to the dispensing mechanism, and the syringe
can be constructed and arranged to move vertically when the
dispensing mechanism is lowered. The dispensing system can be
constructed and arranged such that the dispensing mechanism can be
moved vertically over a range of movement, and such that over at
least a portion of the range of movement, the syringe does not move
with the dispensing mechanism. The motor unit can further include a
second output drive mechanism and the dispensing unit can further
include a second dispensing mechanism.
[0013] In another general aspect, the invention features a method
of dispensing material onto a substrate using a dispensing system.
The method includes steps of coupling a motor unit to the
dispensing system, the motor unit having a motor with an output
drive mechanism, coupling a dispensing unit to the motor unit such
that a dispensing mechanism of the dispensing unit is operatively
coupled to the output drive mechanism of the motor, and operating
the motor to cause material to be dispensed onto the substrate from
the dispensing mechanism.
[0014] The output drive mechanism can include a first gear and the
dispensing mechanism can include a second gear, and the step of
coupling the dispensing unit to the first motor unit can include
engaging the second gear in the first gear. The method can further
include a step of vertically moving the dispensing mechanism toward
the substrate while maintaining the motor unit and the dispensing
unit in a fixed position. The step of coupling the dispensing unit
to the motor unit can provide a kinematic coupling between the
motor unit and the dispensing unit. The step of coupling the
dispensing unit to the motor unit can include a step of providing
an electrical connection between the motor unit and the dispensing
unit, and the method can further include a step of receiving data
concerning characteristics of the dispensing unit over the
electrical connection. The data received can include calibration
information for the dispensing mechanism.
[0015] In another general aspect, the invention features a
dispensing system for dispensing material onto a substrate. The
dispensing system includes a frame, a support, coupled to the
frame, that supports the substrate at a dispensing position in the
dispensing system, and a dispensing head, coupled to the frame,
that dispenses the material onto the substrate. The dispensing head
includes a motor unit having a motor coupled to an output drive
mechanism, a dispensing unit having a material outlet from which
the material is dispensed, the dispensing unit having a dispensing
mechanism coupled to the material outlet, and means for removably
coupling the motor unit to the dispensing unit such that operation
of the motor causes the dispensing mechanism to dispense material
through the outlet.
[0016] The dispensing system can further include means for
vertically moving the dispensing mechanism toward the substrate
while maintaining the motor unit and the dispensing unit in a fixed
position. The dispensing head can further include means for
providing a kinematic coupling between the motor unit and the
dispensing unit. The dispensing head can further include means for
detecting characteristics of the dispensing unit. The means for
detecting characteristics can include means for detecting
calibration data of the dispensing unit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] For a better understanding of the present invention,
reference is made to the drawings which are incorporated herein by
reference and in which:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multiple head dispensing
system in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a top view of the dispensing system of FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a first perspective view of a dispensing head in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention that may be
used in the dispensing system of FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a second perspective view of the dispensing head
of FIG. 3;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a first exploded view of a first embodiment of a
dispensing unit used in the dispensing head of FIG. 3;
[0023] FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of an alignment pin used
in embodiments of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 6 is a second exploded view of the dispensing unit
shown in FIG. 5;
[0025] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a motor unit used in the
dispensing head of FIG. 3;
[0026] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of a front plate assembly used in
the motor unit of FIG. 7;
[0027] FIG. 9 is a first exploded view of a second embodiment of a
dispensing unit used in the dispensing head of FIG. 3;
[0028] FIG. 10 is a second exploded view of the dispensing unit of
FIG. 9; and
[0029] FIG. 11 is a second embodiment of a dispensing system of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] For purposes of illustration, embodiments of the present
invention will now be described with reference to dispensing units
designed for use with a multiple head dispensing system 10, shown
in FIG. 1 and described below and in co-pending U.S. patent
application Ser. Nos. 09/033,022, and 09/189,014, both of which are
assigned to the assignee of the present application, Speedline
Technologies, Inc. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that
embodiments of the present invention are not limited for use with
multiple head dispensing systems, but also may be used in single
head applications as well.
[0031] The multiple head dispensing system 10 will now be described
with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of
a multiple head dispensing system 10, and FIG. 2 shows a top view
of the dispensing system 10. For ease of illustration, the system
is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 without an outer covering.
[0032] The dispensing system 10 includes a lower compartment 12
that is used to house electrical and pneumatic controllers and a
primary system controller. Access doors 14 and 16 are mounted on
the front of the lower compartment to provide access to the
equipment contained therein. The top of the lower compartment forms
a work surface 18 on which a dual track conveyor 20 resides.
Mounted to the work surface 18 are four x/y gantry systems 22a,
22b, 22c and 22d. Each of the gantry systems supports a dispensing
head 24a, 24b, 24c and 24d which dispenses material onto substrates
loaded into the dispensing system using the conveyor system 20, and
in addition, in some embodiments of the present invention, each of
the gantry systems supports a camera used as part of a vision
system alignment and inspection system. The work surface 18 has
four holes through which four cable troughs 26a, 26b, 26c and 26d
pass. Each of the cable troughs are used to run cables from the
control electronics and pneumatics in the lower compartment to each
of the dispensing heads 24a, 24b, 24c and 24d. In one embodiment,
the cable troughs are implemented using an E-Chain available from
Igus Corporation.
[0033] The gantry systems 22a, 22b, 22c and 22d are substantially
identical and in one embodiment are implemented using one of the
gantry systems disclosed in either U.S. patent application Ser. No.
08/967,682, entitled "Positioning System", or in U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 08/796,026, also entitled "Positioning
System", filed Feb. 6, 1997, both of which are incorporated herein
by reference. Gantry system 22a will now be described in greater
detail with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, it being understood that
gantry systems 22b, 22c and 22d are substantially identical to
gantry system 22a. Gantry system 22a provides positioning of the
dispensing head 24a along the horizontal, orthogonal x and y axes
shown in FIG. 1.
[0034] Gantry system 22a includes two horizontal support members 26
and 28 and four vertical support members 30, 32, 34 and 36 coupled
to the work surface 18. A motor support plate 38 is coupled between
the horizontal support members and is used to support two motors 74
and 76. The gantry 22a also includes a plate 50 that is slidably
mounted to rails (not shown) disposed on the under side of each of
the horizontal support members so that the plate can move along the
y-axis. Dispensing head or pump 24a is mounted to a carriage 60
which in turn is slidably mounted to the plate 50 to permit
movement of the dispensing head along the x-axis.
[0035] Gantry system 22a further includes two nut blocks 66 and 68
that are slidably movable along the rails mounted under the
horizontal support members 26 and 28. Each of the nut blocks is
coupled to one of the motors 74, 76 through a respective lead screw
70, 72. The nut blocks can be separately driven by the motors using
the lead screws to move the nut blocks along the y-axis. The
dispensing head 24a is connected to each nut block 66, 68 with
respective rigid trailing arms 80, 82 that are pivotally connected
at one end to one of the nut blocks and at the other end to the
dispensing head 24a. As explained in greater detail in U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 08/796,026, the dispensing head 24a may be
positioned along the x and y axes by moving the nut blocks along
the y-axis using motors 74 and 76. Motors 74 and 76, as well as a
z-axis motor located within the dispensing head 24a, are controlled
by the primary system controller located in the lower
compartment.
[0036] The gantry systems 22a, 22b, 22c and 22d provide a
significant advantage in the dispensing system 10. As described in
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/796,026, the ratio of the
working area beneath the gantry system to the total width of the
gantry system is much greater for the gantry systems described
above than for typical x/y gantry systems. This reduces the time
required to move a work product between work positions in the
multiple head dispensing system, and also reduces the total
footprint of the dispensing system 10.
[0037] The dispensing heads 24a, 24b, 24c and 24d may be
implemented using a number of different dispensing heads or pumps
including those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,819,983 and in U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 08/885,005, each of which is
incorporated herein by reference. In addition, the dispensing heads
may be implemented using dispensing heads in accordance with
embodiments of the present invention which are described below.
[0038] FIGS. 3 and 4 show perspective views of a dispensing head
124 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention that
may be mounted to one of the carriages 60 of the multiple head
dispensing system 10. The dispensing head 124 includes a motor unit
126 and a dispensing unit 128. The motor unit has a mounting
surface 129 for mounting to one of the carriages 60, and a yoke
feature 127 for connecting to rigid trailing arms 80, 82. As shown
in FIGS. 3 and 4, the dispensing unit 128 is removable from the
motor unit. The dispensing head 124 is designed such that all
motors of the dispensing head are contained within the motor unit
and such that the dispensing material is contained only in the
removable dispensing unit. Accordingly, when it is desired to
change material being dispensed from the dispensing head 124 or to
change the size of the needle from which material is dispensed, the
dispensing unit may be removed from the motor unit and replaced
with another dispensing unit having the desired material and/or
needle size. As discussed below in detail, a kinematic connection
is provided between the dispensing unit and the motor unit, to
provide precise positioning of the dispensing needle of the
dispensing unit without the need to recalibrate the dispensing head
whenever a dispensing unit is replaced.
[0039] The dispensing unit 128 will now be described in greater
detail with reference to FIGS. 3-6. The dispensing unit includes a
main housing 130, a lower housing 132, a dispensing cartridge 134
and a syringe support 136 for supporting a syringe 138 of
dispensing material. The main housing 130 has a cavity portion 140
containing the dispensing cartridge 134, a pneumatic terminal block
142 and a pneumatic line 144 coupled between the pneumatic terminal
block 142 and a pneumatic port 146 mounted to the top of the main
housing 130. The pneumatic terminal block has an inlet port 148 to
receive pressurized air from the motor unit 126. The inlet port
includes a resilient O-ring 156 that provides a seal for the
pneumatic connection between the motor unit and the dispensing
unit. The pneumatic port 146 is coupled to a top cap (not shown) of
the syringe 138 through an air hose 154 (shown in FIG. 6). During
operation of the dispensing unit, the pressurized air is used to
pressurize the material in the syringe to cause the material to
flow from the syringe into the dispensing cartridge.
[0040] The pneumatic terminal block 142 has a circuit board bracket
150 upon which a small circuit board 152 is mounted. In FIG. 6, the
circuit board bracket 150 is shown with the circuit board removed.
As described below in greater detail, the circuit board provides
electrical connections that allow the motor unit to identify a
dispensing unit coupled to it, and in one embodiment the circuit
board allows the motor unit to provide electrical power to a heater
in a dispensing unit. In this embodiment, the circuit board further
provides electrical connections between the motor unit and
temperature sensors located within the dispensing unit.
[0041] The lower housing 132 of the dispensing unit has a
cylindrical hole 159 for containing the dispensing cartridge. The
lower housing also has two alignment pins 174, 176 and three raised
cylindrical tabs 178, 180, 182 that are used to achieve the
kinematic mounting of the dispensing unit to the motor unit. The
alignment pins are coupled to the housing using two screws 184.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 5, the dispensing cartridge includes a
cartridge sleeve 158 and a lower cartridge 160 having a shaft 161.
The cartridge sleeve is inserted into the lower housing 132 and is
retained in the lower housing using retaining ring 162. The lower
cartridge is inserted into the cartridge sleeve and is retained in
the cartridge sleeve using tension created by a resilient ring (not
shown) disposed in a groove 161 of the lower cartridge. The lower
cartridge has an inlet port 166 for receiving dispensing material
from the syringe 138 through a hose 168. One of a number of
dispensing needles of different sizes may be coupled to the bottom
of the lower cartridge depending on the volume and type of material
being dispensed. The cartridge sleeve 158 has a gear 170 designed
to mate with the elongated gear 232 of the motor unit as described
further below. The gear also engages shaft 161 when the lower
cartridge is inserted into the cartridge sleeve. The cartridge
sleeve also includes a shoulder portion 172 which mates with the
lift plate 256 of the motor unit. The lift plate 256 controls
vertical movement of the dispensing cartridge within the
cylindrical hole 159.
[0043] FIG. 6 shows the side of the dispensing unit 128 containing
the syringe mounting assembly in greater detail. The primary
components of the syringe mounting assembly includes a syringe
support 136, a syringe slider plate 186, a syringe slider guide
188, and a syringe adapter plate 190. The syringe support is
coupled to the main housing using two screws 192, and the syringe
slider guide is coupled to the main housing using two screw 194.
The syringe slider plate includes a slot 187 and is retained
against the main housing using the syringe slider guide. As
discussed below, the syringe slider plate can move vertically
within the syringe slider guide. The syringe adapter plate is
coupled to the slider plate using two screws 198. The syringe
mounting assembly further includes two retainer rings 200, a
syringe ferrule knob 206, a luer module fitting 204 and a syringe
ferrule 202, which are used to couple the output of the syringe to
the lower cartridge of the dispensing cartridge through the hose
168.
[0044] The motor unit 126 will now be described in greater detail
with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, 7 and 8. The motor unit includes a
motor unit housing 208 having a front plate assembly 209 with a
mating surface 210 for mating with the dispensing unit. The mating
surface 210 mates with the cylindrical tabs 178, 180 and 182 of the
dispensing unit, and the mating surface 210 includes two alignment
holes 218 and 220 for mating with the alignment pins 174 and 176 of
the dispensing unit.
[0045] In one embodiment of the present invention in which it is
desired to provide a kinematic connection between the motor unit
and the dispensing unit, one of the alignment pins 174 has a
circular cross-section and the other alignment pin 176 has a
substantially diamond shaped cross-section as shown in FIG. 5A. As
understood by those skilled in the art, a kinematic connection
uniquely constrains the relative position of two objects being
aligned along all six degrees of motion (X, Y, Z, pitch, yaw,
roll). In embodiments of the present invention, the circular
alignment pin 174 provides control for two degrees of motion, and
the other alignment pin 176 and each of the cylindrical tabs 178,
180 and 182 provides control for one degree of motion. As discussed
below, the use of the kinematic connection between the motor unit
and the dispensing unit in embodiments of the present invention,
makes it unnecessary to recalibrate the dispensing head when a
dispensing unit is replaced.
[0046] The major components of the motor unit that are coupled to
the front plate assembly 209 are shown in greater detail in FIG. 7
and include a touch probe assembly 222, a dispense-drive motor
assembly 224, a main circuit board 226, an output drive assembly
228, and a Z-axis motor assembly 230.
[0047] The touch probe assembly is coupled to the front plate
assembly 209 using two screws 225. The touch probe assembly has an
extendable pin on the bottom of the assembly that can be used to
measure a distance between the motor unit and a substrate upon
which dispensing is to occur. Extension of the pin is controlled
using air pressure received through a pneumatic input 223 of the
touch probe assembly 222. For some applications, it is desirable
that the material outlet of the dispensing unit be a precise
distance above the substrate, and for these applications, the touch
probe can be used to measure the distance from the dispensing head
to the substrate to aid in the proper positioning of the dispensing
unit prior to dispensing. As discussed above, in some embodiments
of the present invention, a kinematic mounting is provided for the
dispensing unit to the motor unit. Accordingly, for a given
dispensing unit, and a given position of the lift plate, the outlet
of the needle of the dispensing unit is at a fixed position
relative to the motor unit, and given knowledge of this fixed
position, and the distance measured by the touch probe assembly,
the controller of the dispensing system can position the outlet of
the needle at the proper dispensing height.
[0048] In one embodiment of the present invention, the touch probe
assembly is implemented using one of the touch probes described in
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/803,994 entitled "Method and
Apparatus for Measuring the Height of a Substrate in a Dispensing
System" by Carr et al, assigned to the assignee of the present
invention, and incorporated herein by reference.
[0049] The dispense drive motor 224 is used to control rotational
movement of the elongated gear 232 and hence, control the
dispensing of material by the dispensing cartridge 134. The
dispense-drive motor is coupled to the main circuit board 226 to
receive power and control signals, and is mounted to a Z-motor
bracket 234 using screws 236, 238 and washers 240, 242. A drive
belt 244 is used to couple the output drive shaft of the dispense
drive motor to the elongated gear 232. In one embodiment, the
dispense drive motor is implemented using a brushless motor, series
IBH-101 available from QMC of New Ulm, Minn.
[0050] The main circuit board assembly 226 is mounted to the front
plate assembly 209 using screws 248, 250, 252 and screw posts 254.
The main circuit board assembly 226 provides the primary electrical
interface and electrical distribution functions for the dispensing
head. An electrical connector 246 mounted on the circuit board
assembly provides the electrical interface to other components of
the dispensing system.
[0051] The motor drive assembly 228 includes the lift plate 256,
the elongated gear 232, an upper mounting bracket 258 and a lower
mounting bracket 260. The upper mounting bracket and the lower
mounting bracket are used to mount the motor drive assembly to the
front plate assembly 209 using four screws 262 (only one of which
is shown in FIG. 7). The motor drive plate also includes a ball
screw 264 mounted to the upper mounting bracket 258 and the lift
plate 256, such that rotation of the ball screw causes vertical
movement of the lift plate 256 and vertical movement of the
dispensing cartridge 134.
[0052] The Z-axis motor is positioned above a Z-axis motor
connector 268 on the front plate assembly that provides power and
control signals to the Z-axis motor. The Z-axis motor has an output
drive shaft 266 that couples to the ball screw 264 to control
movement of the lift plate 256. In one embodiment, the Z-axis motor
is implemented using a brushless motor, model 2036 available from
Micro-Mo Electronics of Clearwater, Fla.
[0053] The components contained within the front plate assembly 209
will now be described further with reference to FIG. 8. The major
components of the front plate assembly include a front plate 271, a
Z-axis motor bearing bracket 270, a locking plate 272, a pin probe
assembly 274 and a pneumatic manifold head 276. The Z-axis motor
bearing bracket contains the Z-motor connector 268 described above,
and is mounted to the front plate using two screws 278 (only one of
which is shown in FIG. 8). The Z-axis motor bearing bracket
includes a second Z-motor connector 269 for an optional second
Z-axis motor (not shown) to accommodate a dispensing unit having
two independently controllable dispensing cartridges.
[0054] The locking cam plate 272 is used to lock the dispensing
unit to the motor unit. The locking plate is moveable between a
locked position and an unlocked position, and has two openings 280,
282 through which the aligning pins 174 and 176 penetrate when the
dispensing unit is coupled to the motor unit. The locking cam plate
is coupled to the front plate 271 using a pivot screw 283, nut 284
and two curved washers 286. Each of the curved washers is mounted
such that the concave side of the washer faces the front plate.
[0055] The pin probe assembly 274 provides electrical connection
between the motor unit and the circuit board 152 of the dispensing
unit. The pin probe assembly is mounted to the front plate using
two screws 288. In one embodiment, the pin probe includes a
spring-loaded contact array part no. P294-03-314-50, available from
Mill-Max of Oyster Bay, N.Y. In this embodiment, the spring-loaded
pins contact conductive pads of the circuit board in the dispensing
unit when the dispensing unit is coupled to the motor unit to
provide electrical connections between the motor unit and the
dispensing unit.
[0056] The pneumatic manifold head 276 provides the interconnection
between components of the dispensing head that utilize pressurized
air in their operation and pressurized air sources and controllers
of the dispensing system. The pneumatic manifold head is coupled to
the front plate 271 using two jackscrews 290 and two screw 292
(only one of which is shown in FIG. 8). The pneumatic manifold head
includes a pneumatic connector 296 having four barbed pneumatic
fittings 294. Four O-rings 298 are disposed between the connector
and the manifold head to provide an air tight seal. A first tube
295 and a second tube 296 are coupled between the pneumatic
manifold head and the front plate 271. The first tube 295 couples
to a pneumatic output port 298 on the front mating surface of the
motor unit. The pneumatic output port 288 is designed to mate with
inlet port 148 of the dispensing unit to provide pressurized air to
the syringe of the dispensing unit. The second tube 296 is designed
to mate with a second output port (not shown) on the front mating
surface of the motor unit. The second output port, and additional
output ports, may be used to provide pneumatic connections to
support additional pneumatic components in other embodiments of the
present invention as described below.
[0057] The operation of the dispensing head 124 will now be
described. The dispensing unit 128 is aligned with the motor unit
126, mated with the motor unit and locked in place using locking
plate 272. When the dispensing unit mates with the motor unit, the
pin probe assembly 274 of the motor unit makes electrical contact
with the circuit board 152 of the dispensing unit. In one
embodiment, the dispensing head is able to detect the type of
dispensing unit mated with it based on the resistance detected
across contact pads on the circuit board. In this embodiment,
different jumpers may be provided on the circuit board to identify
dispensing unit characteristics such as the type of cartridge
loaded into the dispensing unit and the type of material loaded
into the dispensing cartridge.
[0058] In another embodiment, the circuit board includes a
non-volatile data storage device such as a programmable read only
memory. In this embodiment, the storage device may include
additional characteristics of the dispensing unit including
calibration data of the dispensing cartridge, remaining shelf life
of the material in the dispensing cartridge, run-time of the
dispensing unit and the size of the dispensing needle mounted to
the cartridge. In some embodiments, data stored in the data storage
device may be updated by the dispensing head. The calibration data
stored in the storage device may include data regarding the
position of the outlet of the dispensing needle. Because a
kinematic mount is provided between the motor unit and the
dispensing unit, this position data may be used to properly
position the dispensing head for dispensing on a substrate. In some
embodiments, the dispensing unit may be calibrated off line, not
connected to the motor unit, and the calibration data may be stored
in the storage device. Once the dispensing unit is mounted to the
motor unit, little or no additional calibration may be
required.
[0059] When the dispensing unit is mated with the motor unit, the
elongated gear 232 of the motor unit couples with the gear 170 of
the dispensing unit, the lift plate 256 couples with the shoulder
172 of the dispensing cartridge and the output pneumatic port 298
mates with the pneumatic inlet port 148.
[0060] To dispense material onto a substrate, the dispensing head
124 is first moved by the gantry system of the dispensing system to
position the needle above the substrate. The touch probe assembly
222 may then be used to determine the distance between the
dispensing head and the substrate. The dispensing cartridge 134 is
then lowered toward the substrate by activating the Z-axis motor
230 to cause the lift plate 256 to be lowered. When the dispensing
cartridge is lowered, the inlet 166 of the lower cartridge 160
causes the syringe slide plate 186, the syringe adapter plate 190
and the syringe to be lowered towards the substrate. In one
embodiment of the present invention, the lower cartridge may
include a spring-loaded stop that extends beyond the needle. The
spring-loaded stop contacts the substrate to prevent further
downward movement of the needle to accurately set the dispensing
height of the needle.
[0061] Once the needle is at the proper dispensing height, the
Z-drive motor is activated to cause the elongated gear 232 and the
gear 170 to turn, thereby causing material to be dispensed. The use
of the elongated gear allows the dispensing cartridge to be lowered
while maintaining coupling between the elongated gear 232 and the
gear 170.
[0062] In one embodiment of the present invention, preferably used
for dispensing multiple dots of material, after one dot is
dispensed at a first dispensing position, the lift plate is raised
a relatively small amount causing the dispensing cartridge to be
raised a small amount. The dispensing head is then moved to
position the needle over a second dispensing position. When the
dispensing cartridge is raised, the outlet 166 moves within the
slot 187 of the slider plate 186. By keeping the distance that the
dispensing cartridge is raised less than the length of the slot
187, the dispensing cartridge can be lifted without lifting the
syringe. It is generally desirable to lift the needle when moving
the dispensing head between dot dispensing positions to prevent the
needle from contacting components or other protrusions on the
substrate. In the embodiment of the present invention described
above, the needle can be raised without raising the syringe
providing less stress on the Z-axis motor.
[0063] In another embodiment of the present invention, preferably
used for larger volumes of material, for example, lines of
material, the syringe is fixed in place to the dispensing cartridge
using a rigid metal tube in place of the hose 168, and the slider
plate is not used. When the lifting plate lowers the dispensing
cartridge, the syringe moves with the dispensing cartridge. The use
of the rigid tube prevents changes in back pressure that may occur
when a flexible hose is used. In addition, for some dispensing
materials, it is desirable to heat the material prior to
dispensing. For these materials, the metal tube may be heated to
raise the temperature of the dispensing material.
[0064] In other embodiments of the present invention, for either
the dot dispensing embodiment or the line dispensing embodiment
discussed above, further vertical movement of the needle may be
provided by moving the entire dispensing head 126 vertically using
motors mounted to the gantry system of the dispensing system.
[0065] As discussed above, the dispensing cartridges used with
embodiments of the present invention may include auger style pumps,
and in some embodiments, the auger style pumps may include a shut
off valve such as one of those described in U.S. Pat. No.
5,819,983. When a shut-off valve is used, an additional pneumatic
connection may be provided between the motor unit and the
dispensing unit to control the shut-off valve. In some embodiments
of the present invention, when a fairly abrasive material, such as
solder paste, is used in the dispensing unit, the shut-off valve
may be controlled such that it does not completely close to prevent
damage to the valve and the valve seat by solid particles contained
in the dispensing material.
[0066] For some dispensing applications, it is desirable to
maintain the material to be dispensed at an elevated temperature.
To accommodate these applications, in some embodiments of the
present invention, electrical heaters, such as those available from
Merrimac of Haverhill, Mass. having part no. MTWA-250-1.25, are
incorporated in the lower housing 132 of the dispensing unit. In
these embodiments, temperature sensors may also be incorporated in
the lower housing to monitor the temperature of the material.
Electrical connections for the heaters and the temperature sensors
may be provided through the pin probe assembly 274 and circuit
board 152. In addition, to aid in the heating of the material, air
may be passed over the heaters in the lower block housing. The air
may be provided through an additional pneumatic connection between
the motor unit and the dispensing unit.
[0067] Another embodiment of a dispensing head 324, having dual
dispensing cartridges will now be described with reference to FIGS.
9 and 10. The dispensing head 324 is similar to dispensing head 124
with the exception that an additional dispensing cartridge and
supporting components have been added. Common elements of the
dispensing head 124 and the dispensing head 324 are labeled using
the same reference numbers. The dispensing head 324 includes a
motor unit 326 and a dispensing unit 328. The dispensing unit 328
includes, in addition to the components of the dispensing unit 128,
a second dispensing cartridge 334, and a second syringe support 330
for supporting a second syringe 338. The dispensing unit also
includes a second pneumatic input port 348 to receive pressurized
air for pressurizing the material in the second syringe 338.
[0068] The motor unit 326 includes, in addition to the components
of the motor unit 126, an additional Z-axis motor, an additional
motor drive assembly 428 having a second elongated gear 432, an
electromagnetic clutching device (not shown) for selectively
engaging the dispense motor 224 to one of the two motor drive
assemblies, and a second lift plate 456.
[0069] The dispensing head 324 operates in substantially the same
manner as the dispensing head 124 discussed above, except that in
dispensing head 324 dispensing may occur from either of the
dispensing cartridges independently. In typical applications, the
dispensing cartridges will be either of different types or contain
different materials to provide additional flexibility to dispensing
operations, and one of the two dispensing cartridges will be
selected to perform a particular dispensing operation. For example,
one of the dispensing cartridges may be a dot dispensing cartridge
optimized to dispense dots, while the other cartridge may be a line
dispensing cartridge optimized to dispense lines of material.
Preferably, a dispensing cartridge not in use will be maintained in
a raised position to prevent it from contacting any components
mounted on the substrate. As understood by those skilled in the
art, to accommodate special dispensing operations, in some
embodiments, the two dispensing cartridges in the dispensing head
324 may be designed to be operated simultaneously.
[0070] In embodiments of dispensing heads discussed above, either
one or two dispensing cartridges are contained in a dispensing
unit. In other embodiments, to accommodate other applications, more
than two dispensing cartridges could be used.
[0071] In the embodiments of the present invention discussed above,
the dispensing units are mated with the motor unit manually. In
other embodiments which will now be described with reference to
FIG. 11, a dispensing system may automatically exchange dispensing
units. FIG. 11 shows a top view of a four head dispensing system
410 that is similar to the dispensing system 10 described above
with reference to FIG. 1. The dispensing system 410 includes four
gantry systems 422a, 422b, 422c and 422d, each having a dispensing
head 424a, 424b, 424c, and 424d implemented using one of the
two-part dispensing heads of the present invention described
herein. Attached to the front vertical supports 434, 436 of one of
the gantry systems 422a, are dispensing unit holders 510a and 510b
that may contain a number of dispensing units. As understood by
those skilled in the art, although dispensing unit holders are
shown for only gantry system 422a, additional dispensing unit
holders could be provided for each of the other gantry systems
422b, 422c, and 422d.
[0072] The dispensing system 410 automatically replaces a
dispensing unit of dispensing head 424a as follows. The gantry
system 422a positions the dispensing head at the dispensing holder
510a. The dispensing head is then placed in an empty slot in the
holder. The dispensing unit holder 510a may include a release
mechanism that captures the locking plate to release the dispensing
unit being replaced. Once the dispensing unit has been removed, the
dispensing head is positioned at dispensing unit holder 510b to
mate with a new dispensing unit contained therein. Dispensing unit
holder 510b may include a locking mechanism that captures the
locking plate to lock the new dispensing unit in place. The
dispensing head may then be positioned over substrates to dispense
material from the new dispensing unit.
[0073] In embodiments of dispensing systems of the present
invention having dispensing unit holders, the dispensing units may
be calibrated prior to being placed in the dispensing unit holder.
The calibration data may then be stored in a data storage device in
the dispensing unit. When the dispensing unit is mated with the
motor unit, the calibration data can be read from the storage
device, thereby obviating the need to perform a calibration routine
each time a dispensing unit is replaced.
[0074] Dispensing heads in accordance with the present invention
have been described as being used with the multiple dispensing head
dispensing system shown in FIG. 1. As understood by those skilled
in the art, the dispensing heads of the present invention may also
be used with other dispensing systems having one dispensing head or
more than one dispensing head.
[0075] In dispensing units of embodiments of the present invention
discussed above, gears are used to couple motors of the motor unit
to dispensing cartridges of the dispensing units. In other
embodiments, other mechanisms such as belts, drive shafts or other
device can be used to couple the motors to the dispensing
cartridges.
[0076] In embodiments of dispensing heads discussed above, the use
of replaceable dispensing units greatly expands the flexibility of
a dispensing system, by allowing dispensing units to be replaced
without replacing an entire dispensing head. Further, since the
dispensing units do not include motors, it is economical to
maintain a large number of spare dispensing units having different
characteristics.
[0077] Having thus described at least one illustrative embodiment
of the invention, various alterations, modifications and
improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such
alterations, modifications and improvements are intended to be
within the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the
foregoing description is by way of example only and is not intended
as limiting.
* * * * *