Electro Scientific Industries, Inc.

John D Stackpole

Kenneth S Whiteman

Yunlong Sun

Edward J Swenson

Manoj Kumar Sammi

Replaceable component carriers () are adapted to be freely floating in belt apertures () and have alignment features (), such as conical holes (), mated to features (), such as tapered pins (), in processing stations to temporarily hold a carrier () and its components (), such as resistors, in a fixed position during various processes, such as termination. The carriers () include a rigid substructure () and a more elastic coating () to provide receiving holes () that can be adapted to hold particular components (). The carriers () can be replaced without removing the belt (), whenever differently shaped holes () are desired or become too worn to reliably handle components (), thereby reducing damage risk, replacement cost, and operational down time of the belt ().

Loading and extraction of modular belt carriers of electronic components

Modular belt carrier for electronic components

A laser beam () cuts through a component carrier mask () made of thin elastomeric material such as silicone rubber to form slots () having slot openings of a desired shape. In a preferred embodiment, a light absorptivity enhancement material such as iron oxide introduced into the silicone rubber causes formation of a flexible support blank that operationally adequately absorbs light within a light absorption wavelength range. A beam positioner () receiving commands from a programmed controller causes a UV laser beam of a wavelength that is within the light absorption wavelength range to cut into the mask multiple slots with repeatable, precise dimensions. Each of the slots cut has opposed side margins that define between them a slot opening of suitable shape to receive a miniature component () and to exert on it optimal holding and release forces.

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Klamath Falls, OR, United States of America

John D Stackpole