John Richard Christofferson

US Patent:

55057772, Apr 9, 1996

Filed:

Feb 7, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/192709

Inventors:

Robert L. Ciardella - Encinitas CA
Philip P. Maiorca - Poway CA
Alec J. Babiarz - Encinitas CA
Duong La - San Diego CA
Carlos E. Bouras - Encinitas CA
Mark S. Meier - Encinitas CA
John L. Christofferson - Encinitas CA
Ronald N. Abernathy - Vista CA
Stanley C. Aguilar - La Mesa CA
James C. Smith - San Marcos CA

Assignee:

Asymptotic Technologies, Inc. - Carlsbad CA

International Classification:

B05C 500
B05C 1100
B05B 1500
B05B 102

US Classification:

118663

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.

US Patent:

57119899, Jan 27, 1998

Filed:

Mar 7, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/612179

Inventors:

Robert L. Ciardella - Encinitas CA
Philip P. Maiorca - Poway CA
Alec J. Babiarz - Encinitas CA
Duong La - San Diego CA
Carlos E. Bouras - Encinitas CA
Mark S. Meier - Encinitas CA
John L. Christofferson - Encinitas CA
Ronald N. Abernathy - Vista CA
Stanley C. Aguilar - La Mesa CA
James C. Smith - San Marcos CA

Assignee:

Nordson Corporation - Westlake OH

International Classification:

B05D 512
B05C 500

US Classification:

427 96

Abstract:

A computer controlled method for high speed viscous fluid dispensing includes the steps of providing a dot generator and moving the dot generator along at least X and Y axes. The dot generator is controlled to repeatedly eject jets of viscous fluid that break away from the dot generator as a result of their forward momentum and fly to the surface of an adjacent substrate to create dots. The method may further comprise the step of monitoring the size and location of the dots through a vision system. The method may further comprise the steps of assigning dot sizes to specific components based on user specifications or a component library. The method may further comprise the step of optimizing the dot placement paths by aligning the in-line points of dot formation.