PCB-printing and assembly with a multi-tool industrial six-axis robot

Abstract:
Printed circuit boards (PCB) are a foundation of electronical devices in modern society. The fabrication of these boards requires various processes and machines. The utilisation of a robot with multiple tools can shorten the process chain compared to screen printing. In this paper a system is presented, which utilises an industrial six axis robot to manufacture PCBs. The process flow and conversion process of the Gerber format into robot specific commands is presented. The advantages and challenges applying a robot to print circuits are discussed.