GB2186825A

GB2186825A - Method and apparatus for forming component connections

Info

Publication number: GB2186825A
Application number: GB08604124A
Authority: GB
Inventors: B Schofield
Original assignee: Plessey Co Ltd
Current assignee: Plessey Co Ltd
Priority date: 1986-02-19
Filing date: 1986-02-19
Publication date: 1987-08-26
Also published as: GB8604124D0

Abstract

The method concerns forming, by bending, the legs (8,9) of integrated circuits I.C.'s (7) mounted on a printed circuit board p.c.b. (1) to prevent displacement of the I.C.'s (7) during the p.c.b. manufacturing process. The apparatus for preforming the method comprises a jig into which the p.c.b. (1) is positioned. A moveable plate (15) carries a plurality of forming pins 14 arranged in a matrix so that each pin corresponds to the position of a loosely mounted I.C. by longitudinal movement of the moveable plate 15 in opposite directions (A,B) through the intermediary of an actuating arm (17), two pins on the I.C. are formed by bending them outwardly from the vertical. The actuating arm can be operated manually or by automatic machine means. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Method and apparatus for forming component connections The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for forming component connections.

This invention finds particular utility in forming the connections or legs of an integrated circuit (I.C.) mounted upon a support surface eg. a printed circuit board (p.c.b.).

However, the principles of this invention can be extended to forming the connections of other components, for instance, resistors or the like.

An aim of this invention envisages the method for forming component connections and an apparatus enabling the implementation of said method in an efficient and expeditious manner.

According to this invention there is provided a method of forming a plurality of component connections of a plurality of components mounted on one side of a support surface and having their connections projecting through apertures to the other side of the support surface, the forming operation involving the bending of at least two of the connections, or legs of each component in opposing directions on said other side of the support surface to prevent displacement of said component.

According to this invention there is provided apparatus for use in said method comprising a jig for location of the support surface and including support means for supporting the support surface, component retaining means for temporarily retaining the components upon the support surface and moveable component connection forming means, wherein movement of said moveable component connection forming means in opposing directions effects cooperation with the component connections to form them by bending them in opposing directions thereby preventing component displacement from the support surface.

The invention will be better understood from the following description of an exemplary embodiment which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which; Figure 1 shows a general view of the apparatus or jig in accordance with this invention; Figure 2 shows a side view of the apparatus or jig, as viewed in the direction of arrow C in Fig. 1, with a printed circuit board secured therein in readiness for the connection forming operation; Figure 3 shows a further view similar to that shown in 2 where the connection forming operation has been performed on one of the connections of the components mounted on the board; and Figure 4 shows yet a further view similar to that shown in Fig. 2 where the connection forming operation has been performed on the other of the connections of the components mounted on the board.

Refering now to the drawings generally showing the apparatus which comprises a jig.

The purpose of the jig is to position a printed circuit board (p.c.b.) within the jig in order to form certain electrical connections or legs, by bending, of a plurality of integrated circuits (I.C.'s) mounted in the board.

The printed circuit board p.c.b. comprises a support surface 1 and is positioned within the jib on a plurality of support means in the form of posts 2 and 3 standing vertically from a base plate 4. Two forward posts 3 include locating pins 5 at their upper ends which pass through apertures 6 in the p.c.b. thereby ensur8ing correct alignment of the p.c.b. within the jig in preparation for the forming of l.C.

legs.

The p.c.b. carries a plurality of loosely mounted integrated circuits (I.C.'s) 7 having their connections or legs 8 and 9 projecting through aperatures 10 and 11 respectively.

The l.C.'s are temporarily held in position by a resilient piece of material 12 such as sponge rubber, which is attached to a backing plate 13 which is hinged in the base plate 4. The hinged backing plate 13 is brought down upon the p.c.b. 1 so that the resilient material 12 presses against the l.C.'s 7. The backing plate 13 is secured in this closed position by a latching means (not shown) which is released upon completion of the leg forming operation to remove the p.c.b. 1.

The leg forming operation is carried out by mans of a plurality of connection forming means or forming pins 14 arranged in a matrix arrangement on a moveable plate 15 which is capable of variable longitudinal movement in opposite directions A and B on the base plate 4, below the p.c.b.1. The longitudinal movement is limited by the use of variable stops (not shown) acting on the actuating arm 17.

Four apertures 16 through which the posts 2 project are provided to permit the movement of the plate 15.

An actuating arm 17 seats in a channel 18 and is secured therein by plates 19 and 20.

The actuating arm 17 is secured to the moveable plate 15 by means (not shown) so that movement of the actuating arm 17 in opposite directions A and B effects movement of the moveable plate 15 and the forming pins 14 on it. Movement can be imparted to the arm 17 by either manual means or automatic means through a pneumatic intermediary forming part of an automatic machine.

The matrix of forming pins 14 in this embodiment is 9x7 with each forming pin 14 being located between two component connections or l.C. legs. Thus, when the actuating arm 17 is moved in direction B (Fig. 3) the forming pins 14 come into contact with the legs 8 causing them to bend away from the vertical. Likewise, when the actuating arm is moved in direction A (Fig. 4) the forming pins 14 come into contact with legs 9 causing them to bend away from the vertical.

Accordingly, when the p.c.b. is removed from the jig the I.C.'s are retained on the board 1 in readiness for further manufacture processing of the p.c.b.

It should be understood that while the present embodiment illustrates a 9 x 7 matrix arrangement of forming pins 14 on the plate 15 any other matrix arrangement can be used to suit the particular component layout on the p.c.b. Indeed the arrangement of the forming pins 14 need not necessarily be uniform as shown in this embodiment. Further, the moveable plate 15 is preferably readily interchangeable to meet the particular requirement of pin layout.

Claims

1. A method of forming a plurality of component connections of a plurality of components mounted on one side of a support surface and having their connections projecting through apertures to the other side of the support surface, the forming operation involving the bending of at least two of the connections, or legs, of each component in opposing directions on said other side of the support surface to prevent displacement of said component.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, in which the support surface is positioned within apparatus which is adapted for bending the connections.

3. Apparatus for use in said method as claimed in claims 1 and 2, comprising a jig for location of the support surface and including support means for supporting the support surface, component retaining means for tempo rarily retaining the components upon the sup port surface and moveable component con nection forming means, wherein movement of said moveable component connection forming means in opposing directions effects cooperation with the component connections to form them by bending them in opposing directions thereby preventing component displacement from the support surface.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claims 3, in which the support means comprise a plurality of posts standing vertically from a base plate.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, in which two forward posts include locating pins which are adapted to pass through apertures in the support means for alignment purposes of the support surface when positioned within the jig.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, in which the component retaining means com prises a resilient piece of material attached to a backing plate.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, in which the backing plate is hinged on the base plate and is securable in a closed position by latch means.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, in which the moveable component connection forming means comprises a plurality of pins arranged on a moveable plate which is capable of limited longitudinal movement in opposite directions the movement being limited by variable stops acting on the actuating arm.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, in which the moveable plate includes an actuating arm which seats in a channel in the base plate, wherein longitudinal movement of the actuating arm in opposite directions effects corresponding movement of the moveable plate and the forming pins.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, in which forming pins are arranged such that each forming pin is located between two component connections such that movement of the forming pin in both longitudinal directions forms the component connections by bending them from the vertical.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, in which the forming pins are arranged in a matrix.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11, in which the moveable plate is interchangeable.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, in which movement is imparted to the actuating arm by manual means.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, in which movement is imparted to the actuating arm from automatic machine means.

15. Apparatus as claimed in any one preceding claim, in which the components are integrated circuits and the component connections are integrated circuit legs.

16. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, in which the support surface is a printed circuit board.

17. A method substantially as described herein, with reference to, and as shown, in the accompanying drawings.

18. Apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to, and as shown, in the accompanying drawings.