CONFORMAL FIXTURE COVER

• Main Authors: HUANG CHINGNG, LI XINGQUN, TAM CHING YU JOHN
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 27.03.2014
• Subjects: CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; ELECTRICITY; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; HAND TOOLS; MANIPULATORS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; PRINTED CIRCUITS; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS; TOOLS OR BENCH DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, FORFASTENING, CONNECTING, DISENGAGING OR HOLDING; TRANSPORTING

Embodiments described herein take the form of fixtures to be used in a manufacturing process. In particular, a manufacturing fixture may be sized to accept one or more electronic components, such as a printed circuit board (PCB) having various electrical elements. The PCB may be placed on the fixture in a predetermined area. The PCB may be placed in a depression or aperture sized to accept the PCB. When the PCB is placed within the fixture, a cover may be lowered or otherwise placed across the PCB in order to hold the PCB in place. The cover contacts the PCB and is pliable or malleable to conform to those portions of the PCB it contacts. When the cover is closed, a negative pressure may be induced in the fixture beneath the cover. When the PCB is held in position, the manufacturing fixture may operate on the PCB.