TW201922441A - Universal jig - Google Patents

Abstract

In general terms the present invention proposes a jig for holding a workpiece such as a printed circuit board while one or more process steps are carried out thereon. The jig comprises two jaws separated by a clamping area within which a workpiece can be held. At least one of the jaws carries a plurality of teeth thereon for contacting a workpiece within the clamping area, each tooth being independently moveable relative to the respective jaw. The independent movement of the teeth enables the jig to hold workpieces of a multitude of different shapes, sizes and configurations.

Description

Universal fixture

The present invention provides a jig for holding a workpiece during one or more process operations, and in particular, provides such a jig capable of adapting to workpieces having different shapes, sizes, or layouts.

To perform a process step on a printed circuit board or other similar item, it is often necessary to hold the printed circuit board or other similar item in a fixture. For example, when surface modification of an item, for example, applying a coating to an item by vapor deposition, it is usually necessary to mask the item so that the surface portion of the item is not modified. . The application of a mask for this purpose can be performed by an automated process (e.g., by a robotic arm), and the item needs to be held in a known position to facilitate this application. As an example, it is sometimes desirable to apply a masking material to one or more areas of a component of a mobile device, such as a printed circuit board, screen, back cover, or other items, before applying a vapor deposition coating. ) To provide, for example, liquid repellency for unshielded areas.

During other process steps, such as during mounting of electronic components thereon, a fixture may also be needed to hold the printed circuit board or other items.

Generally speaking, the present invention proposes a fixture for holding a workpiece such as a printed circuit board while performing one or more process steps. The clamp includes two clamping jaws separated by a clamping area, and a workpiece can be held in the clamping area. At least one of the clamping jaws carries a plurality of teeth for contacting a workpiece in the clamping zone, and each tooth is independently movable relative to a respective clamping jaw.

A first aspect of the present invention provides a fixture for holding one or more workpieces, the fixture comprising a pair of clamping jaws defining a clamping area therebetween; at least one of the clamping jaws has a plurality of teeth, Each tooth is independently movable relative to its respective clamping jaw, and each tooth has a shape configured to contact a surface of a workpiece to hold the workpiece to a gripping surface in the clamping area.

This independent movement of the teeth allows the fixture to hold workpieces with many different shapes, sizes and configurations. For example, a clamp may be used to hold any generally planar component having a relatively small thickness. As a result, the workpiece may generally have two major faces that are opposed by a relatively thin edge. In a plan view, the workpiece can have any shape. The fixture may be capable of holding a workpiece having a complex perimeter shape. The workpiece typically has a length of 150 mm or less (i.e., across the longest dimension of at least one of its major faces) and / or a width of 90 mm or less (i.e., perpendicular to the span One of the longest dimensions in one direction of the length of at least one of the major faces).

Each tooth (alternatively referred to as a probe or finger) may have a body portion that carries a respective gripping surface.

In a preferred embodiment, the one or more workpieces include one or more printed circuit boards. For example, one or more workpieces may include two printed circuit boards connected by a flexible connection. One or more printed circuit boards may be single-sided, double-sided, or multilayer printed circuit boards. The one or more printed circuit boards may include one substrate on which one or more conductive tracks of two or more electronic components are electrically connected.

Each tooth is preferably movable away from its respective gripper from a retracted configuration to an extended configuration, and wherein each tooth system is biased toward the extended configuration.

Preferably, the jaws are biased towards each other. In this way, a workpiece will be firmly held between the jaws. Thus biasing the jaws toward each other minimizes one width of the gripping area.

The jaws are preferably movable toward and away from each other along a common linear clamping direction. Therefore, the clamping jaws can be moved in alignment with each other, and only one clamping force provided by the clamping jaws is guided along the clamping direction.

In a preferred embodiment, each tooth is movable along a linear tooth axis relative to its respective jaw, and the tooth axes of the teeth of each jaw are substantially parallel to each other. Thus, the teeth can be moved in alignment with each other and only a force exerted by each of the teeth on a workpiece is guided along its respective tooth axis.

The tooth axes of the teeth are preferably each substantially parallel to the clamping direction of the jaws. Therefore, the force exerted on the workpiece by both the gripper and the teeth is applied in a common direction.

Each tooth may have a gripping surface configured to engage an edge of a workpiece. For example, each gripping surface may include a generally V-shaped or U-shaped notch, and in use, an edge of a workpiece may be placed in the V-shaped or U-shaped notch. Similarly, each tooth may include a recessed portion on which a gripping surface is formed. By providing a gripping surface in the form of a notch or recess, it is possible to accommodate small misalignments between adjacent teeth (for example, caused by manufacturing tolerances or assembly tolerances).

Each tooth may include a piston and cylinder assembly that is configured to provide movement relative to its respective jaw. For example, each tooth may include one or more pistons rigidly connected to its respective gripping surface, and one or more pistons may be formed in or formed on one of the respective grippers or A plurality of corresponding cylinder bores slide. Alternatively, each tooth may include a cylinder bore in which a piston rigidly connected to a respective jaw may slide. In certain embodiments, each tooth includes two piston and cylinder assemblies that are configured to move in concert to provide movement of the tooth relative to its respective jaw.

Preferably, one or more of the plurality of teeth have a shape and / or size different from another one or more of the plurality of teeth. By varying the shape and / or size of the teeth, it is possible to further enhance the ability of the fixture to accommodate workpieces of any size or shape. For example, in the moving direction of at least one of the jaws, one or more of the plurality of teeth may have a length different from another one or more of the plurality of teeth. Alternatively or additionally, one or more of the plurality of teeth may have a shaped gripping surface that is different from the other one or more of the plurality of teeth.

The teeth of each jaw are preferably arranged in series along the jaw. In this way, the fixture can hold a workpiece having edges that are relatively linear in one dimension. For example, fixtures can hold relatively flat, thin workpieces.

The clamp preferably includes an opening mechanism operable to separate the jaws to allow removal of one of a workpiece from the clamp. The opening mechanism may include any manually operated or motorized mechanism. For example, the opening mechanism may include a mechanical actuator, an electromechanical actuator, an electric actuator, or a hydraulic actuator.

In a preferred embodiment, the opening mechanism includes a pair of hinge arms, each hinge arm being connected to a respective one of the jaws at one end and to a hinge joint at the other end, wherein the hinge joint can be moved to a An open configuration in which the hinge arms pivot away from each other to thereby separate the jaws. This configuration provides a particularly simple mechanism for opening the jaws, particularly when combined with the feature that the jaws can move toward and away from each other in a common linear clamping direction. The opening mechanism may be actuated by a key or similar device configured to move the hinged joint to the open configuration.

Preferably, the clamp includes a mounting subassembly and a rotatable subassembly including the pair of clamping jaws, wherein the rotatable subassembly is mounted on the mounting subassembly so as to be rotatable relative to the mounting subassembly. In this way, all sides / faces of the one or more workpieces held by the fixture can be inspected, or process steps can be performed on all sides / faces of the one or more workpieces held by the fixture. In an embodiment in which a process step is performed by an automated production machine (such as a robotic arm configured to apply a coating (e.g., a layer of masking material) to a workpiece) on a workpiece held in a fixture The rotation of the workpiece relative to the machine minimizes the complexity of the machine-and therefore the relative cost of the machine. For example, it may be necessary to provide only a single robotic arm capable of performing one of the process steps on both sides of the workpiece.

The rotatable sub-assembly can rotate relative to the mounting sub-assembly about one axis or alternatively about two axes (two axes that are generally perpendicular to each other, as the case may be). In some embodiments, the rotatable assembly is rotatable about three axes.

The rotatable subassembly preferably includes a jaw mounting plate, each of which is mounted to the jaw mounting plate via a sliding connection so as to be slidable relative to the jaw mounting plate to provide a space between the jaws. Relative movement.

The clamp may include one or more bearings interconnecting the mounting subassembly and the rotatable subassembly.

The jig preferably includes a control member for controlling a rotational position of the rotatable subassembly relative to one of the mounting subassemblies.

A second aspect of the invention provides an operation according to any of the first aspect and / or any of the optional features of the invention described herein and / or any of the embodiments described herein. A method of a jig comprising the steps of configuring the jig in an open configuration; inserting a workpiece into the clamping area between the jaws; and moving the jaws toward each other such that the One of the gripping surfaces of one or more of the plurality of teeth contacts a surface of the workpiece to hold the workpiece in the clamping area and configure the clamp in a clamping configuration.

The method may further include rotating the clamping jaws relative to a mounting subassembly of the clamp to thereby rotate the workpiece held in the clamping area. The clamping jaws can rotate between a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, a first process step can be performed on one of the workpiece's first faces, and in the second configuration as the case may be. In the second side of one of the workpieces, a second process step can be performed. The first configuration may be substantially 180 degrees opposite the second configuration. The first process step and the second process step may include steps performed by the same production equipment (ie, equipment configured to implement one of the first process step and the second process step).

In some embodiments, the method further includes the step of performing a process step on the workpiece. For example, the process steps may include applying a surface layer, such as a coating, to the workpiece. The surface layer may include a masking material. The masking material may be applied to one or more regions of the workpiece before exposing the workpiece to surface modification conditions, thereby preventing the surface modification of one or more regions. Alternatively or additionally, the surface layer may include an adhesive layer.

The method may include the steps of performing a first process step on a first side of a workpiece and performing a second process step on a second side of a workpiece. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes the steps of: rotating the clamping jaw from a first configuration to a second configuration after performing the first processing step and before performing the second processing step. Preferably, the jaw is rotated substantially 180 degrees from the first configuration to the second configuration. The first process step and the second process step are preferably implemented by the same production equipment (ie, equipment configured to implement one of the first process step and the second process step).

A third aspect of the present invention provides a method for performing a process step on one or more workpieces, the method comprising the steps of: utilizing one of the optional features of the present invention according to the first aspect and / or described herein Any one and / or one of any of the embodiments described herein to secure the one or more workpieces; and performing a process step on the one or more workpieces. In some embodiments, the process steps may include applying a surface layer, such as a coating, to one or more secured workpieces. For example, the surface layer may include a shielding material. The masking material may be applied to one or more regions of the workpiece before exposing one or more of the fastened workpieces to surface modification conditions, thereby preventing surface modification of one or more regions. Alternatively or additionally, the surface layer may include an adhesive layer.

The method may include the steps of performing a first process step on a first side of a workpiece and performing a second process step on a second side of a workpiece. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes the steps of: rotating the clamping jaw from a first configuration to a second configuration after performing the first processing step and before performing the second processing step. Preferably, the jaw is rotated substantially 180 degrees from the first configuration to the second configuration. The first process step and the second process step are preferably implemented by the same production equipment (ie, equipment configured to implement one of the first process step and the second process step).

Examples of the masking process in the context of each of the aspects of the invention include, but are not limited to, the application of a masking material that can be removed after the surface modification process.

The masking material may take any desired form consistent with achieving a desired masking effectiveness or effect.

In various embodiments, the masking material includes a curable resin. In particular, the shielding material may be a fluid in an uncured state and a solid in a cured state. The method may include curing the resin after application.

Advantageously, the resin may be radiation curable, for example, UV curable. Such masking materials are known in the art. Such masking materials may generally include a polymerizable monomer or oligomer, a photoinitiator, and various other additives as appropriate, such as, for example, antioxidants, fillers, and thickeners. Examples of suitable polymerizable monomers include substituted vinyl compounds, particularly such as acrylates.

The UV curable resin used in the present invention may advantageously include a monoacrylated urethane, for example, a substituted or unsubstituted urethane methacrylate or urethane acrylic ester. DymaxRTM sells these compositions under the trade names DymaxRTM 9-20479-B, DymaxRTM 9-20318-F, and DymaxRTM 9-318-F.

However, this method can also use other types of masking materials.

The masking material may include a plurality of masking material units. For example, the masking material may include a plurality of spots or other areas of the masking material. The method may include applying a plurality of discrete units of masking material.

Examples of the surface modification process in the context of the present invention and specifically the second and third aspects include, but are not limited to, a deposition process, and specifically a particle or vapor deposition process. The surface modification process may suitably be sub-atmospheric, that is, involves exposing one or more sheltered items to sub-atmospheric pressure. Suitably, the sub-atmospheric pressure may be in a range from 0.01 mbar to 999.99 mbar, such as in a range from 0.1 mbar to 999.99 mbar, for example, in a range from 0.5 mbar to 999.99 mbar Inside. In some embodiments, the surface modification process is an atmospheric pressure vapor deposition process, and specifically, a plasma polymerization process.

For example, the surface modification conditions may be vapor deposition conditions. Surface modification conditions may include sub-atmospheric pressure. In one embodiment, the vapor deposition conditions are plasma polymerization conditions.

The surface modification conditions may optionally include: an excitation medium; and a monomer that is at least partially activated by the excitation medium to form a liquid-repellent coating on the item. In particular, the excitation medium may include a plasma, and optionally a pulse plasma.

The monomer may be a compound having formula (I): Wherein R ₁ , R ₂ and R _{3 are} independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, haloalkyl or optionally substituted aryl; and R ₄ is a group XR ⁵ , wherein R ⁵ is an alkyl or haloalkane And X is a chemical bond; X is a group of formula -C (O) O (CH ₂ ) _n Y, where n is an integer from 1 to 10, and Y is a chemical bond or a sulfonamide group Or X is a group-(O) _P R ⁶ (O) _q (CH ₂ ) _t , where R ⁶ is an aryl group optionally substituted with a halogen group, p is 0 or 1, and q is 0 or 1, And t is 0 or an integer from 1 to 10, provided that q is 1 and t is not 0.

Suitably, the workpiece may be exposed to a plasma comprising a monomer compound for a time period sufficient to allow a protective polymeric coating to be formed on a surface of the workpiece; wherein the monomer compound has the following formula (II): Wherein R ₁ , R ₂ and R ₄ are each independently selected from hydrogen, optionally substituted branched or straight chain C ₁ -C ₆ alkyl or haloalkyl, or optionally substituted aryl, and R _{3 is} selected from: or Wherein each X is independently selected from hydrogen, optionally substituted branched or straight-chain C ₁ -C ₆ alkyl, haloalkyl, or optionally aryl substituted with halo; and n ₁ is one from 1 to 27 Integer.

In certain embodiments, the monomer may be identified in the scope of the patent application of WO 2007/083122.

Suitably, the monomer may be selected from 1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorohexyl acrylate (PFAC4), 1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorooctyl acrylate (PFAC6), 1H, 1H, 2H, 2H -Perfluorodecyl acrylate (PFAC8) and 1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-Perfluorododecyl acrylate (PFAC10).

Suitably, the masked item may be exposed to the monomer compound together with a cross-linking agent having a boiling point of less than 500 ° C. at standard pressure, the cross-linking agent including two attached via one or more linker portions One or more unsaturated bonds. For example, the cross-linking reagent may be selected from 1,4-butanediol divinyl ether (BDVE), 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol divinyl ether (CDDE), 1,7-octadiene (17OD) 1,2,4-trivinylcyclohexane (TVCH), divinyl adipate (DVA), 1,3-divinyltetramethyldisilazane (DVTMDS), 1,4-cyclo Diallyl hexanedicarboxylate (DCHD), 1,6-divinyl perfluorohexane (DVPFH), 1H, 1H, 6H, 6H-perfluorohexanediol diacrylate (PFHDA) and tetraene Propoxyethane (GBDA).

Surface modification conditions can lead to a coating that can advantageously be a liquid repellent (eg, water repellent and / or oil repellent).

One or more artifacts can be of any desired type. In one embodiment, the one or more items include one or more printed circuit boards, electronic devices, or electronic components.

Throughout this description and the scope of patent applications, the words "comprise" and "contain" and variations of those words (for example, including and comprises) mean "include but Is not limited to "and does not exclude other components, integers, or steps. In addition, unless the context requires otherwise, the singular covers the plural: Specifically, unless the context requires otherwise, in the case of using an indefinite article, this specification should be understood to cover the plural as well as the singular.

The preferred features of each aspect of the invention may be as described in connection with any of the other aspects. It is expressly intended within the scope of this application that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives stated in the previous paragraph, the scope of the patent application and / or the description and drawings below may be obtained independently or in any combination, And specifically its individual characteristics. That is, all embodiments and / or features of any embodiment may be combined in any manner and / or combination unless such features are incompatible.

Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 illustrate a clamp 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. The fixture 100 includes a rotatable subassembly 10 that is rotatable relative to a static mounting subassembly 12 in one of the first rotation positions shown in FIG. 1 and the second rotation shown in FIG. 2 Rotate between positions and between any rotational positions in between. The rotatable sub-assembly 10 is configured to hold a workpiece, such as a PCB, as described below, and the rotation of the sub-assembly 10 enables process steps (e.g., manufacturing or inspection steps) to be on any major surface of the workpiece Implementation.

The rotatable subassembly includes a jaw mounting frame 20 having first and second rigidly connected to each other at each end thereof via first and second elongated engaging plates 24 to form an open four-sided frame 20 Length-clamp mounting plate 22. The first and second axle portions 26 extend from each of the joint plates 24 in opposite directions so that their rotation axes are aligned.

The rotatable subassembly 10 is mounted on the static mounting subassembly 12 via the first and second bearings 30. The static mounting subassembly 12 includes first and second static bearing mounting plates 32, each of which has an opening, and one of the bearings 30 has an outer race through an interference fit, A mechanical fixation or other suitable rigid fixation configuration is installed in the opening. The first axle portion 26 of the mounting frame 20 is mated into an inner race of the first bearing 30 via an interference fit, mechanical fixing, or other suitable rigid fixing configuration. Similarly, the second axle portion 26 of the mounting frame 20 is fitted into one of the inner faces of the second bearing 30. In this manner, the first and second axle portions 26 can rotate freely with respect to the static bearing housing 32, and therefore, the rotatable subassembly 10 can rotate about a rotation axis with respect to the static mounting subassembly 12.

The jaw mounting frame 20 carries first and second sliding jaws 40. Each jaw 40 includes a generally elongated rectangular plate, and the first jaw 40 is mounted on the first mounting plate 22 and the second jaw 40 is mounted on the second mounting plate 22 such that the opposite sides of the jaw 40 include The tooth mounting surface 42 separated by a clamping area 50 holds one or more printed mounting boards (PCBs; not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) in the clamping area during use.

The first clamping jaw 40 is mounted on the first clamping jaw mounting plate 22 via a sliding block 28 that allows the first clamping jaw 40 to move relative to the first clamp only through translational movement in one of the clamping directions. The claw mounting plate 22 moves. Similarly, the second jaw 40 is mounted on the second jaw mounting plate 22 via a sliding block 28 that allows the second jaw 40 to move relative to the first jaw only through translational movement in one of the clamping directions. The two-jaw mounting plate 22 moves. The clamping direction is perpendicular to the rotation axis of the rotatable assembly 10, and each jaw 40 is allowed to move toward and away from the rotation axis. Therefore, the relative movement between the first and second clamping jaws 40 causes the teeth mounting surfaces 42 to move toward each other or away from each other and the resulting narrowing or widening of one of the clamping areas 50.

Each tooth mounting surface 42 of each jaw 40 supports a plurality of teeth 60. Each tooth 60 has a plastic gripping body 62 having a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape in which a V-shaped notch is formed to define a gripping surface 64. The teeth 60 are arranged in a linear sequence along the tooth mounting surface 42 so that in a neutral configuration (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2), the V-shaped notches of the tooth gripping surface 64 are aligned to provide a warp together Align the elongated notch. Each tooth 60 is separated from its adjacent tooth by a small gap to achieve relative movement therebetween.

The gripping body 62 of each tooth 60 is rigidly mounted on a single pin 66 or a pair of pins 66, and each pin 66 is slidably mounted in a corresponding bore 46 of one of the respective jaws 40, so that the pin 66 can A piston and cylinder assembly moves in the bore 46. One or more springs 72 (see FIG. 4) bias each tooth 60 away from the tooth mounting surface 42 of its respective jaw 40.

Each pin 66 moves within its respective bore 46 along a tooth axis aligned with the clamping direction. In this way, each tooth 60 is oriented toward or away from the other first or second jaw 40 relative to its respective first or second jaw 40 and along the respective tooth axis relative to the other tooth 60 in the other mounted in the first and second jaw 40. The upper teeth 60 can move independently. Therefore, the position of the gripping surface 64 of each tooth 60 relative to its respective gripper (and relative to the neutral configuration) may vary.

FIG. 4 shows an exploded view illustrating how one of the exemplary teeth 60 of each pin portion 66 is constructed. A fixed-end link 67 has a threaded portion 68 and a hollow cylindrical portion 69. The threaded portion 68 engages one of the respective clamping jaws 40 corresponding to the threaded portion. An internal link 70 is inserted into the hollow cylindrical portion 69 and is held in place by an annular fixed link insert 71 which is fitted to the hollow cylindrical portion via an interference fit as appropriate. In 69, the ring-shaped fixed link insert 71 surrounds the inner link 70. A part of the inner link 70 protrudes from the hollow cylindrical portion of the fixed-end link 67 so that the inner link 70 engages a base of a cylindrical recessed portion of the grip main body portion 62 of each tooth. A spring 72 located between the gripping main body portion 62 and the fixed-end link 67 is biased away from the fixed-end link 67 or each of the fixed-end links 67.

The gripping body 62 of each tooth can be configured in any of a number of different ways to meet the shape and size of the printed circuit board to be held, as will be easily understood by a technical reader. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the teeth 60 has a gripping body 62 that is one of three different configurations: the long gripping body 62a has the longest length in the tooth axis direction, and the middle gripping body 62b and the short The gripping body 62c has a short length in the direction of the tooth axis. The middle grip body 62b has a grip surface 64 having a V-shaped notch that is shallower than the V-shaped notches of the long grip body 62a and the short grip body 62c. The middle grip body 62b is also narrower (in the direction along the rotation axis R) than the long grip body 62a and the short grip body 62c, and is mounted on only a single pin 66. By providing a plurality of possible gripping body 62 configurations, it is possible to further enhance the ability of the fixture 100 to adapt to PCBs of any size or shape.

The rotatable subassembly 10 includes an opening mechanism 70 operable to move the jaw 40 between an open configuration and a clamping configuration. In the open configuration, the jaws are separated from each other to change the clamping area. Wide, and in the clamping configuration, the clamping jaws are moved toward each other to narrow the clamping area and thereby clamp a printed circuit board 90 (shown in FIG. 3).

The opening mechanism 70 includes a pair of hinge arms 72, each of which is connected to a piston link 74 via a hinge joint at one end and to the jaw 40 via a similar hinge joint at the other end. One of them each. The piston connecting rod 74 is slidable between an extended position and a retracted position through a bore 76 passing through one of the first axle portions 26. In the extended position, the hinge arm 72 is opened at a wide angle and the jaws 40 are Push away from each other to the open configuration, and in the retracted position (shown in Figures 1 and 2), the hinge arms are opened at a narrower angle and the jaws 40 are pushed towards each other into a clamping configuration. The piston rod 74 is urged toward the retracted position by the action of a spring (not shown), thereby biasing the jaw 40 toward the clamping configuration.

In this embodiment, the piston rod 74 is operated in a retracted position and an extended position by a key (not shown) for engaging the piston rod 74 and displacing the piston rod 74 in the bore 76. Between moves. The key can be operated manually or electrically via an electric motor and appropriate gearing arrangement. In some embodiments, the key may include a linear actuator, such as a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, an electric actuator, a magnetic actuator, or a mechanical actuator.

The rotatable subassembly 10 can also be rotated manually relative to the static mounting subassembly 12 or by an electric motor and a suitable gear transmission arrangement. Each axle portion 26 of the rotatable subassembly 10 includes a pair of circular recesses 27 or through holes, and a pair of corresponding protrusions of a manual handle or a motor interface can cooperate with the pair of circular recesses or the through holes to This enables the rotatable subassembly 10 to rotate.

As a result of the independent movement of the teeth 60 on each of the jaws 40, a PCB (or other workpiece) having an irregular shape can be easily held in the fixture 100. An example is illustrated in FIG. 3 where a PCB 90 having a non-straight edge is held in a fixture 100.

5A, 5B, 6A, and 6B also illustrate a fixture according to the present invention, in which a workpiece having an irregular shape is held between two or more teeth 60 of the fixture. In FIGS. 5A and 5B, a PCB 92 is held in a first orientation, and in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the same PCB 92 is held in a second orientation that is substantially perpendicular to the first orientation. The PCB 92 has an irregular non-straight contour that is adapted by independent movement of the teeth 60.

In use, in order to insert a workpiece (such as a printed circuit board 90, 92) into the clamping area 50, the piston rod 74 of the opening mechanism 70 is moved to the extended position to thereby move the jaw 40 away from Pushing each other moves the clamp 100 to the open configuration. This movement widens the clamping area 50 and enables the workpiece to be located in the clamping area 50. Then, the clamp 100 is moved to the clamping configuration by moving the piston rod 74 of the opening mechanism 70 to the retracted position to thereby push the jaws 40 toward each other and inevitably narrow the clamping area 50. . When the gripping surfaces 64 of the teeth 60 contact the workpieces 90, 92, the toothing gripping bodies 62 move independently along their respective tooth axes toward their respective tooth mounting surfaces 42 against the biasing action of the spring. Each pin 66 moves only within its respective bore 46, as long as it is ensured that the workpiece is firmly held and adapted to the contour of the workpiece edge contour. To remove the workpieces 90, 92, the clamp 100 is returned to the open configuration.

A second embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figs. 7, 8 and 9. The illustrated clamp 200 is similar in many respects to the clamp 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, and the following description focuses primarily on their different features.

The clamp 200 includes a rotatable subassembly 110 capable of rotating relative to a static mounting subassembly 112. The rotatable sub-assembly 110 is configured to hold a workpiece, such as a PCB, as explained below, and the rotation of the sub-assembly 110 enables a process step (e.g., a manufacturing or inspection step) to be on any major surface of the workpiece Implementation.

The rotatable subassembly includes a jaw mounting frame 120 that includes a generally U-shaped rigid member whose first and second limbs provide first and second jaws. Mounting plate 122. A wheel shaft portion 126 extends from a base of the U-shaped jaw mounting frame 120 in a direction substantially opposite to the direction in which the first and second jaw mounting plates 122 extend.

The rotatable subassembly 110 is mounted on the static mounting subassembly 112 via a bearing 130. The static mounting subassembly 112 includes a bearing mounting plate 132 having an opening, and an outer race of the bearing 130 is installed in the opening through an interference fit, mechanical fixing, or other suitable rigid fixing configuration. The axle portion 126 of the mounting frame 120 is mated into an inner race of the first bearing 130 through an interference fit, a mechanical fixation, or other suitable rigid fixing configuration. In this manner, the axle portion 126 can rotate freely with respect to the static bearing housing 132, and therefore, the rotatable subassembly 10 can rotate about a rotation axis R relative to the static mounting subassembly 12.

The jaw mounting frame 120 carries the first and second sliding jaws 140. Each gripper 140 includes a generally elongated rectangular plate, and the first gripper 140 is mounted on the first mounting plate 122 and the second gripper 140 is mounted on the second mounting plate 122 such that the opposite sides of the gripper 140 include The tooth mounting surface 142 separated by a clamping area 150, in use, one or more printed mounting boards (for example, the PCB 190 shown in FIG. 9) are held in the clamping area.

The first jaw 140 is mounted on the first jaw mounting plate 122 via a sliding block 128 that allows the first jaw 140 to move relative to the first via only a translational movement in one of the clamping directions C. The jaw mounting plate 122 moves. Similarly, the second clamping jaw 140 is mounted on the second clamping jaw mounting plate 122 via a sliding block 128 that allows the second clamping jaw 140 to move relative to one another only through a translational movement in one of the clamping directions C. The second jaw mounting plate 122 moves. The clamping direction C is perpendicular to the rotation axis R of the rotatable assembly 110, and each jaw 140 is allowed to move toward and away from the rotation axis. Therefore, the relative movement between the first and second clamping jaws 140 causes the tooth mounting surfaces 142 to move toward or away from each other and one of the clamping areas 150 to become narrower or wider.

The sliding blocks 128 each include a first portion 128 a rigidly fixed to one of the jaw mounting frames 120 and a second portion 128 b rigidly fixed to one of the respective jaws 140. The first part 128a and the second part 128b are interconnected with each other by a pair of guide rails 129, which allow relative sliding between the first part 128a and the second part 128b to provide movement of the gripper 140 in the clamping direction C.

Each tooth mounting surface 142 of each jaw 140 supports a plurality of teeth 160. Each tooth 160 has a plastic gripping body 162 having a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape in which a V-shaped notch is formed to define a gripping surface 164. The teeth 160 are arranged in a linear sequence along the tooth mounting surface 142 such that in a neutral configuration (shown in FIG. 7), the V-shaped notches of its gripping surface 164 are aligned to provide an aligned elongated depression mouth. Each tooth 160 is separated from its adjacent tooth by a small gap to achieve relative movement therebetween.

The gripping body 162 of each tooth 160 is rigidly mounted on a pair of pins 166, and each pin 166 is slidably mounted in a corresponding bore 146 of one of the respective jaws 140, so that the pin 166 is a piston and a cylinder assembly It moves in the bore 146 in a successful manner. One or more springs (not shown) bias each tooth 160 away from the tooth mounting surface 142 of its respective jaw 140.

Each pin 166 moves within its respective bore 146 along a tooth axis aligned with the clamping direction C. In this manner, each tooth 160 is oriented toward or away from the other first or second jaw 140 relative to its respective first or second jaw 140 and relative to the other tooth 160 along its respective tooth axis. One of the teeth 160 can move independently. Therefore, the position of the gripping surface 164 of each tooth 160 relative to its respective gripper (and relative to the neutral configuration) may vary.

The gripping body 162 of each tooth can be configured in any of several different ways to meet the shape and size of the printed circuit board to be held, as will be easily understood by a technical reader. In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, the teeth 160 each have an equivalent gripping body 162.

The rotatable subassembly 110 includes an opening mechanism 170 operable to move one of the clamping jaws 140 between an open configuration and a clamping configuration, in which the clamping jaws are separated from each other to change the clamping area 150 Wide, and in the clamping configuration, the clamping jaws move toward each other to narrow the clamping area 150 and thereby clamp a workpiece, such as a printed circuit board.

The opening mechanism 170 includes a pair of hinge arms 172, each of which is connected to a piston link 174 via a hinge joint at one end and to a sliding block via a similar hinge joint at the other end The second portion 128b of the 128 is rigidly connected to one of each of the jaws 140. The piston connecting rod 174 can slide between an extended position and a retracted position through a bore 176 passing through the axle portion 126. In the extended position, the hinge arm 172 is opened at a wide angle and the jaws 140 are moved away from each other. Pushed to the open configuration, and in the retracted position, the hinge arm is opened a narrower angle and the jaws 40 are pushed toward each other into a clamped configuration. The piston rod 174 is urged toward the retracted position by the action of a spring (not shown), thereby biasing the jaw 140 toward the clamping configuration.

The piston rod 174 is moved between the retracted position and the extended position by the operation of a key 180 (see FIG. 8), which key has a cylindrical portion 182 that can be inserted into the bore 176 to connect the piston The lever 174 moves toward the extended position against the action of the spring. In this embodiment, the key 180 is manually operated, but in other embodiments, the key 180 may be configured via an electric motor with a suitable gear transmission or via a linear actuator such as a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator Actuator, an electric actuator, a magnetic actuator or a mechanical actuator) or other configuration that can be controlled remotely. The keys disclosed in this embodiment are also suitable for use with the first embodiment.

The rotatable subassembly 10 can be rotated relative to the static mounting subassembly 12 by means of an interface connector 186 (see FIG. 9), which has a circular recess 127 configured to correspond to one of the pair of axle portions 126 Or through holes fit one pair of protrusions 188. The interface connector 186 can be manually rotated via a handle or rotated via an electric motor and a suitable gearing arrangement, for example, to rotate the rotatable assembly 10 to facilitate the workpiece 190 held in the clamp 200 (see FIG. 9) The process steps are performed on either side. The interface connector disclosed in this embodiment is also suitable for use with the first embodiment.

In use, in order to insert a workpiece (such as a printed circuit board) into the clamping area 150, the piston rod 174 of the opening mechanism 170 is moved to an extended position, thereby pushing the clamping jaws 140 away from each other. Instead, the clamp 200 is moved to the open configuration. This movement widens the clamping area 150 and enables the workpiece to be located in the clamping area 150. Then, the clamp 200 is moved to the clamping configuration by moving the piston rod 174 of the opening mechanism 170 to the retracted position to thereby push the jaws 140 toward each other and inevitably narrow the clamping region 150. . When the gripping surface 164 of the tooth 160 contacts the workpiece, each of the tooth gripping bodies 162 moves independently along its respective tooth axis toward its respective tooth mounting surface 142 against the biasing action of the spring. Each pin 166 moves only within its respective bore 146, as long as it is ensured that the workpiece is firmly held and adapted to the contour of the edge contour of the workpiece. To remove the workpiece, the clamp 200 is returned to the open configuration.

10, 11 and 12 illustrate a third embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment provides a particularly simple configuration of one of the clamps 300. FIG. 10 illustrates a clamp 300 in a clamping configuration. In the clamping configuration, the clamp 300 is holding a workpiece. In this embodiment, the workpiece is a printed circuit board (PCB) 290. FIG. 11 illustrates the fixture 300 in an open configuration in which the fixture is opened to facilitate removal or insertion of a workpiece.

The clamp 300 includes first and second clamping jaws 240, and each of the first and second clamping jaws is movable relative to a clamping jaw mounting portion 220. Each jaw mounting portion 220 includes a cylinder block 222. For example, the cylinder block may be rigidly mounted on a static mounting frame (not shown) or on a rotatable mounting frame. Each of the cylinder blocks 222 includes a plurality of (in this embodiment, three) bores 224, and a respective piston 226 can slide in each of the bores in the manner of a cylinder and a piston assembly. The pistons 226 are configured to move in concert to move the respective clamping jaws 240 toward or away from the respective cylinder blocks 222 along a clamping direction C.

Therefore, each jaw 240 can be moved only via translational movement in one of the clamping directions C. The clamping jaws 240 have opposing faces which provide tooth mounting faces 242 separated by a clamping area 250. In use, one or more printed mounting boards (for example, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11) The PCB 290 shown is held in the clamping area. Therefore, the relative movement between the first and second clamping jaws 240 causes the tooth mounting surfaces 242 to move toward each other or away from each other and the resulting narrowing or widening of one of the clamping areas 250.

Each tooth mounting surface 242 of each jaw 240 supports a plurality of (ten in this embodiment) teeth 260. Each tooth 260 has a grip body portion 262 that is movable along a tooth axis relative to a pin portion 266 rigidly connected to a respective gripper 240. Each gripping body portion 262 is substantially cylindrical, and a V-shaped notch is formed in an end surface of the gripping body portion to define a gripping surface 264. The teeth 260 are arranged in a linear sequence along the tooth mounting surface 242 such that in a neutral configuration (when a workpiece is not held in the fixture 300), the V-shaped notches of its gripping surface 264 are aligned to provide together Once aligned with the elongated notch. Each tooth 260 is separated from its adjacent tooth by a small gap to achieve relative movement between them.

Each gripping body portion 262 moves relative to its respective pin portion 266 along a tooth axis aligned with the clamping direction C. In this manner, each tooth 260 is oriented toward or away from another respective one of the first and second jaws 140 mounted relative to its respective first or second jaw 240 and relative to the other tooth 260 along its respective tooth axis. One of the teeth 160 can move independently. Therefore, the position of the gripping surface 164 of each tooth 160 relative to its respective gripper (and relative to the neutral configuration) may vary. The gripping body portion 262 and therefore the gripping surface 264 of each of the teeth 260 are away from the respective tooth mounting surface 242 and are therefore biased toward one of the workpieces to be clamped in the clamping area 250.

FIG. 12 shows an exploded view illustrating how one of the exemplary teeth 260 of the pin portion 266 is constructed. A fixed-end link 267 has a threaded portion 268 and a hollow cylindrical portion 269. The threaded portion 268 engages one of the respective clamping jaws 240 corresponding to the threaded portion. An internal link 270 is inserted into the hollow cylindrical portion 269 and held in place by an annular fixed link insert 271, which is fitted to the hollow cylindrical portion via an interference fit as appropriate In 269, the annular fixed link insert 271 is caused to surround the inner link 270. A part of the inner link 270 protrudes from the hollow cylindrical portion of the fixed-end link 267, so that the inner link 270 engages a base of a cylindrical recess in the grip main body portion 262 of each tooth. A spring 272 between the grasping body portion 262 and the fixed-end link 267 is biased away from the fixed-end link 267.

The gripping body 262 of each tooth can be configured in any of several different ways to meet the shape and size of the printed circuit board to be held, as will be easily understood by a technical reader. In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 10, 11, and 12, the teeth 260 each have an equivalent gripping body 262.

In use, in order to insert a workpiece (such as a printed circuit board 290) into the clamping area 250, the clamp 300 is moved to the open configuration illustrated in FIG. 11, in which the piston 226 follows The clamping directions C, as indicated by the arrow R, are all retracted into their respective bores 224 in the cylinder block 222. This movement widens the clamping area 250 and enables the workpiece 290 to be positioned in the clamping area 250. Then, the clamp 300 is moved to the clamping configuration illustrated in FIG. 10, in which the piston 226 is expelled from its respective bore 224 in the clamping direction C as indicated by the arrow D In order to narrow the clamping area 250. When the gripping surface 264 of the tooth 260 contacts the workpiece 290, the tooth gripping main bodies 262 move independently along their respective tooth axes in the direction indicated by the arrow T against the biasing action of the spring 272. Each gripping body 262 moves only relative to its respective pin portion 266, as long as it is ensured that the workpiece is firmly held and adapted to the contour of the edge contour of the workpiece. To remove the workpiece, the clamp 300 is returned to the open configuration.

In each of the embodiments and aspects described herein, the fixture is used to hold a workpiece (such as a printed circuit board (PCB)) or a plurality of workpieces (such as a plurality of PCBs) or a plurality of PCBs One assembly. The workpiece or each workpiece is typically a generally planar member having a relatively small thickness. Thus, the workpiece or each workpiece has substantially two main faces that are opposed by a relatively thin edge. In a plan view, the or each workpiece may have any shape, and typically has a complex perimeter shape. The workpiece or each workpiece typically has a length of 150 mm or less (i.e., one of the longest dimensions across at least one of its major faces) and / or a width of 90 mm or less (i.e., , One of the longest dimensions perpendicular to one of the lengths spanning at least one of its major faces).

The workpiece or each workpiece can be placed into the clamping area of the fixture by hand or by an automated component such as a robotic arm. The use of a robotic arm may be advantageous in making the placement of a plurality of equivalent workpieces into a fixture highly repeatable.

In each of the embodiments, the component may be formed from any suitable material. However, it is envisaged that the grip portion of the teeth will be formed of plastic and the remaining components will be formed of a suitable metal or metal alloy.

In all of the embodiments described above, one or more areas of the shielding material may be applied to a face of a workpiece fastened in the fixtures 100, 200, 300 by a robotic arm (not shown). The rotatable subassembly 10, 110, 210 can then be rotated 180 degrees about the rotation axis R, and one or more areas of the masking material are applied to an opposite surface of the workpiece by a robot arm. Therefore, a single robotic arm can be used to operate both sides of the workpiece. The workpiece is then removed from the fixture and the workpiece is exposed to surface modification conditions, such as vapor deposition conditions, by placing the workpiece in a plasma polymerization deposition chamber. In some cases, the workpiece may be returned to the fixtures 100, 200, 300 after the surface modification process in order to remove some or all areas of the masking material.

By way of example, a vapor deposition process according to one embodiment of the present invention includes substantially exposing a workpiece to vapor deposition conditions as set forth in WO 2007/083122, which is incorporated herein by reference.

In another embodiment, the vapor deposition conditions further include a crosslinking agent selected from 1,4-butanediol divinyl ether (BDVE), 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol divinyl ether (CDDE), 1,7-octadiene (17OD), 1,2,4-trivinylcyclohexane (TVCH), divinyl adipate (DVA), 1,3-divinyl tetramethyl Disiloxane (DVTMDS), diallyl 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylate (DCHD), 1,6-divinyl perfluorohexane (DVPFH), 1H, 1H, 6H, 6H- Perfluorohexanediol diacrylate (PFHDA) and tetraallyloxyethane (GBDA).

10‧‧‧Rotatable sub assembly / sub assembly

12‧‧‧ static installation subassembly

20‧‧‧Jaw mounting frame / open four-sided frame / mounting frame

22‧‧‧First Slim Jaw Mounting Plate / Second Slim Jaw Mounting Plate / First Mounting Plate / Second Mounting Plate / First Jaw Mounting Plate / Second Jaw Mounting Plate

24‧‧‧ First and second elongated splice plates / splice plates

26‧‧‧First Axle Part / Second Axle Part / Axle Part

27‧‧‧ round recess

28‧‧‧ sliding block

30‧‧‧first bearing / second bearing / bearing

32‧‧‧The first static bearing mounting plate / the second static bearing mounting plate / static bearing seat

40‧‧‧first sliding jaw / second sliding jaw / jaw / first jaw / second jaw

42‧‧‧tooth mounting surface

46‧‧‧ Corresponds to boreholes

50‧‧‧ clamping area

60‧‧‧tooth / exemplary tooth

62‧‧‧Plastic grip body / grip body / grip body part

62a‧‧‧long grip main body

62b‧‧‧ Grip main body

62c‧‧‧Short grip main body

64‧‧‧ gripping surface

66‧‧‧pin / pin part

67‧‧‧Fixed end connecting rod

68‧‧‧Threaded section

70‧‧‧Internal link / opening mechanism

71‧‧‧ Circular fixed link insert

72‧‧‧spring / hinged arm

74‧‧‧Piston connecting rod

76‧‧‧ bore

90‧‧‧printed circuit board / workpiece

92‧‧‧Printed circuit board / workpiece

100‧‧‧ Fixture

110‧‧‧Rotatable sub assembly / sub assembly

112‧‧‧Static installation subassembly

120‧‧‧Jaw mounting frame / U-shaped jaw mounting frame / mounting frame

122‧‧‧First jaw mounting plate / Second jaw mounting plate / First mounting plate / Second mounting plate

126‧‧‧Axle part

127‧‧‧ corresponding to circular recess

128‧‧‧ sliding block

128a‧‧‧Part I

128b‧‧‧ Part Two

130‧‧‧bearing / first bearing

132‧‧‧bearing mounting plate / static bearing block

140‧‧‧first sliding jaw / second sliding jaw / jaw / first jaw / second jaw

142‧‧‧tooth mounting surface

150‧‧‧ clamping area

160‧‧‧tooth

162‧‧‧Plastic grip body / grip body

166‧‧‧pin

170‧‧‧Open institution

172‧‧‧ hinge arm

174‧‧‧Piston connecting rod

176‧‧‧ bore

180‧‧‧ key

182‧‧‧ cylindrical part

186‧‧‧Interface Connector

188‧‧‧ protrusion

190‧‧‧Printed circuit board / workpiece

200‧‧‧Illustrated fixture / fixture

220‧‧‧Clamp installation part

222‧‧‧Cylinder block

224‧‧‧ bore

226‧‧‧Piston

240‧‧‧first jaw / second jaw / gripper

242‧‧‧tooth mounting surface

250‧‧‧ clamping area

260‧‧‧tooth / exemplary tooth

262‧‧‧grip the main part

264‧‧‧grip surface

266‧‧‧pin part

267‧‧‧Fixed end connecting rod

268‧‧‧Threaded section

269‧‧‧ Hollow cylindrical part

270‧‧‧Internal link

271‧‧‧ Circular fixed link insert

272‧‧‧Spring

290‧‧‧printed circuit board / workpiece

300‧‧‧ Fixture

C‧‧‧Clamping direction

D‧‧‧ Arrow

R‧‧‧ rotation axis / arrow

T‧‧‧arrow

One or more embodiments of the present invention will now be explained by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of a clamp according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which one of the clamps is a rotatable element; The assembly is in a first rotation position; FIG. 2 shows an isometric view of one of the clamps of FIG. 1, where the rotatable subassembly is in a second rotation position; FIG. 3 shows an isometric view of one of the clamps of FIG. 1 and FIG. Among them, a fixture holds a workpiece; FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of one tooth suitable for use with the fixtures of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3; and FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B respectively show an embodiment of the present invention. Upper and lower views of a PCB held in a fixture; FIGS. 6A and 6B show upper and lower views of the fixtures of FIGS. 5A and 5B, respectively, wherein the PCB held in the fixture has a different configuration; FIG. 7 shows a plan view of a fixture according to another embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 8 shows a plan view of the fixture of FIG. 7 in an open configuration; FIG. 9 shows a fixture of FIGS. 7 and 8 in a rotated configuration And by doing so An isometric view of a workpiece; FIG. 10 shows an isometric view of a clamp in a clamping configuration according to another embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 11 shows an isometric view of a clamp in an open configuration according to another embodiment of the present invention; View; and FIG. 12 shows an exploded view of one tooth suitable for use with the clamps of FIGS. 10 and 11.

Claims (24)

A clamp for holding one or more workpieces, the clamp includes: a pair of clamping jaws defining a clamping area therebetween; at least one of the clamping jaws has a plurality of teeth, and each tooth is respectively relative to its own The jaws are independently movable, and each tooth has a shape configured to contact a surface of a workpiece to hold the workpiece to a gripping surface in the clamping area. The fixture of claim 1, wherein the one or more workpieces include one or more printed circuit boards. If the fixture of claim 1 or claim 2, each tooth can move away from its respective gripper from a retracted configuration to an extended configuration, and each tooth system is biased toward the extended configuration. Home. A fixture as claimed in claim 1, wherein the jaws are biased towards each other. As in the fixture of claim 1, wherein the jaws can be moved toward and away from each other along a common linear clamping direction. As in the fixture of claim 1, each tooth can move along a linear tooth axis relative to its respective jaw, and the tooth axes of the teeth of each jaw are substantially parallel to each other. For example, the fixtures of claim 5 and claim 6, wherein the tooth axes of the teeth are each substantially parallel to the clamping direction of the clamping jaws. The fixture of claim 1, wherein each tooth includes a recessed portion on which the gripping surface is formed. As in the clamp of claim 1, each tooth includes a piston and cylinder assembly that is configured to provide that movement relative to its respective jaw. As in the fixture of claim 1, wherein each tooth comprises two piston and cylinder assemblies that are configured to move in concert to provide the movement of the tooth relative to its respective jaw. The fixture of claim 1, wherein one or more of the plurality of teeth have a shape and / or size different from another one or more of the plurality of teeth. If the fixture of claim 1, wherein in the moving direction of at least one of the jaws, one or more of the plurality of teeth have a different one from the other one or more of the plurality of teeth. length. The fixture of claim 1, wherein one or more of the plurality of teeth have a shaped gripping surface that is different from the other one or more of the plurality of teeth. As in the clamp of claim 1, the teeth of each jaw are arranged in series along the jaw. A fixture as claimed in claim 1 including an opening mechanism operable to separate the jaws to allow removal of a workpiece from the fixture. The clamp of claim 15, wherein the opening mechanism includes a pair of hinge arms, each hinge arm being connected to one of the jaws at one end and a hinge joint at the other end, wherein the hinge type The joint can be moved to an open configuration in which the hinge arms are pivoted away from each other to thereby separate the jaws. The fixture of claim 1, comprising a mounting sub-assembly and a rotatable sub-assembly including the pair of clamping jaws, wherein the rotatable sub-assembly is mounted on the mounting sub-assembly so as to be opposite to the mounting sub-assembly The assembly rotates. The fixture of claim 17, wherein the rotatable subassembly includes a jaw mounting plate, each of the jaws is mounted to the jaw mounting plate via a sliding connection so as to be mountable relative to the jaw The plate slides to provide relative movement between the jaws. The fixture of claim 17 including one or more bearings interconnecting the mounting sub-assembly with the rotatable sub-assembly. The fixture of claim 17 includes a control member for controlling a rotational position of the rotatable subassembly relative to one of the mounting subassemblies. A method of operating a jig as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 20, comprising the steps of: configuring the jig in an open configuration; inserting a workpiece into the clamping area between the jaws; and borrowing By moving the clamping jaws towards each other such that a gripping surface of one or more of the plurality of teeth contacts a surface of the workpiece to hold the workpiece in the clamping area, the The clamp is configured in a clamping configuration. The method of claim 21, further comprising: rotating the clamping jaws relative to a mounting subassembly of the clamp to thereby rotate the workpiece held in the clamping area. The method of claim 21, further comprising the step of performing a process step on the workpiece, wherein the process step optionally includes applying a surface layer to the workpiece. A method of implementing a process step on one or more workpieces, the method comprising the steps of: fastening the one or more workpieces with a fixture such as any one of claims 1 to 20; and on the one or more workpieces A process step is performed on each fastened workpiece.