초록 ▼

An apparatus and accessories are disclosed for a flexible support apparatus100, 900using elongated support members110to support a face of a workpiece10and respective protrusions335. The elongated support members110are arranged through at least one plane of perforated material120, where the elongated

An apparatus and accessories are disclosed for a flexible support apparatus100, 900using elongated support members110to support a face of a workpiece10and respective protrusions335. The elongated support members110are arranged through at least one plane of perforated material120, where the elongated support members110are profiled against the workpiece10and respective protrusions335. The profile of the elongated support members110is created by contacting forces132generated by bringing the workpiece330and the plurality of elongated support members110together. A holding force is then applied to the elongated support members110to support the workpiece10against forces applied by a workstation. Fluid902is used to raise expansion members to raise the plurality of elongate support members110. A perforated plate920is used to control the flow of fluid902between a fluid cavity910and the plurality of expansion members904. Accessories to improve performance and reliability include a protective collar for protection from foreign materials870(solder paste) and a reinforcing member40, 44to reinforce thin, flexible workpieces10.

대표청구항 ▼

An apparatus and accessories are disclosed for a flexible support apparatus100, 900using elongated support members110to support a face of a workpiece10and respective protrusions335. The elongated support members110are arranged through at least one plane of perforated material120, where the elongated

An apparatus and accessories are disclosed for a flexible support apparatus100, 900using elongated support members110to support a face of a workpiece10and respective protrusions335. The elongated support members110are arranged through at least one plane of perforated material120, where the elongated support members110are profiled against the workpiece10and respective protrusions335. The profile of the elongated support members110is created by contacting forces132generated by bringing the workpiece330and the plurality of elongated support members110together. A holding force is then applied to the elongated support members110to support the workpiece10against forces applied by a workstation. Fluid902is used to raise expansion members to raise the plurality of elongate support members110. A perforated plate920is used to control the flow of fluid902between a fluid cavity910and the plurality of expansion members904. Accessories to improve performance and reliability include a protective collar for protection from foreign materials870(solder paste) and a reinforcing member40, 44to reinforce thin, flexible workpieces10. said hollowed needle from the fastener stock,(e) an ejection mechanism for ejecting the severed fastener through said hollowed needle, and(f) a needle guard assembly mounted onto said frame over said hollowed needle, said needle guard assembly comprising,(i) a guide plate having a front surface, and(ii) a bracket assembly affixed to said guide plate, said bracket assembly being slidably mounted onto said frame so as to enable said guide plate to be slidably disposed between a protected position in which the tip of said needle is positioned behind the front surface of said guide plate and a fully retracted position in which the tip of said needle is positioned in front of the front surface of said guide plate, said bracket assembly comprising,(A) a bracket fixedly mounted onto said frame, said bracket having a rear stop,(B) a first arm slidably mounted onto said bracket, said first arm comprising a first end affixed to said guide plate and a second end,(C) a second arm having a first end affixed to the second end of said first arm and a second end having a stop, wherein the stop formed on the second end of said second arm is sized and shaped to abut against the rear stop formed on said bracket when said bracket assembly is in its protected position so as to limit forward displacement of said guide plate relative to said needle, and(D) a compression spring for resiliently urging said second arm forward, said compression spring including a firs