Dispensing system and method

Abstract

A dispensing system and method for dispensing material onto a substrate. The dispensing system includes a frame, a support, coupled to the frame, that supports the substrate at a dispensing position in the dispensing system, and a dispensing head, coupled to the frame, that dispenses the material onto the substrate. The dispensing head includes a motor unit having a first motor coupled to an output drive mechanism, and a dispensing unit, removably coupled to the motor unit, having a material outlet from which the dispensing material is dispensed, the dispensing unit having a dispensing mechanism coupled to the material outlet and coupled to the output drive mechanism of the motor unit such that operation of the first motor causes the dispensing mechanism to dispense material through the outlet.

1 - 36 . (canceled)  
   
   
       37 . A dispensing system for dispensing material onto a substrate, the dispensing system comprising: 
 a frame;    a dispensing head, coupled to the frame, that dispenses the material onto the substrate, the dispensing head including: 
 a first dispensing head portion having a mounting portion;  
 a second removable dispensing head portion removably mountable on the mounting portion,  
   wherein the second dispensing head portion includes an interface to the first dispensing head portion providing characteristics of the dispensing system.    
   
   
       38 . The dispensing system of  claim 37  wherein the second removable dispensing head portion includes a cartridge and a dispensing needle coupled to the cartridge, through which the material is dispensed onto the substrates.  
   
   
       39 . The dispensing system of  claim 37  wherein the first dispensing head portion and the second removable dispensing head portion are constructed and arranged to provide kinematic mating between the first dispensing head portion and the second removable dispensing head portion.  
   
   
       40 . The dispensing system of  claim 39  wherein the first dispensing head portion includes at least one electrical contact, and wherein the second removable dispensing head portion includes at least one electrical contact for providing an electrical connection between the first dispensing head portion and the second removable dispensing head portion.  
   
   
       41 . The dispensing system of  claim 40  wherein the second removable dispensing head portion further comprises a circuit board to provide an electrical connection between the first dispensing head portion and the second removable dispensing head portion.  
   
   
       42 . The dispensing system of  claim 41  further comprising a pin probe assembly, coupled to the first dispensing head portion, that contacts the circuit board to provide an electrical connection between the first dispensing head portion and the second removable dispensing head portion.  
   
   
       43 . The dispensing system of  claim 42  wherein the circuit board detects a type of dispensing unit mated with the dispensing head based on resistance detected across contact pads on the circuit board.  
   
   
       44 . The dispensing system of  claim 41  wherein the circuit board includes a data storage device.  
   
   
       45 . The dispensing system of  claim 44  wherein the data storage device includes a programmable read only memory.  
   
   
       46 . The dispensing system of  claim 45  wherein the data storage device stores characteristics of the dispensing unit including but not limited to types of cartridge loaded, type of material, calibration data, remaining shelf life of the material in the dispense cartridge, run-time of the dispensing head, or size of the dispensing needle.  
   
   
       47 . The dispensing system of  claim 46  wherein the data stored in the data storage device is updated by communication with the second removable dispensing head portion.  
   
   
       48 . The dispensing system of  claim 41  wherein the first dispensing head portion includes an inlet pneumatic port and the second removable dispensing head portion includes an output pneumatic port that mates with the inlet pneumatic port to provide pressurized air to the dispensing head.  
   
   
       49 . The dispensing system of  claim 37  wherein the first dispensing head portion includes at least one electrical contact, and wherein the second removable dispensing head portion includes at least one electrical contact for providing an electrical connection between the first dispensing head portion and the second dispensing head portion.  
   
   
       50 . The dispensing system of  claim 37  wherein the first dispensing head portion includes an inlet pneumatic port and the second removable dispensing head portion includes an output pneumatic port that mates with the inlet pneumatic port to provide pressurized air to the dispensing head.  
   
   
       51 . The dispensing system of  claim 37  wherein the first dispensing head includes a motor unit having a mounting surface, and wherein the second removable dispensing head portion includes a removable dispensing unit mounted to the motor.  
   
   
       52 . The dispensing system of  claim 51  wherein the removable dispensing unit includes an electrical contact and wherein the motor includes an electrical contact for providing an electrical connection between the motor and the removable dispensing unit.  
   
   
       53 . The dispensing system of  claim 52  wherein the removable dispensing unit further comprises a circuit board to provide an electrical connection between the motor unit and the removable dispensing unit.  
   
   
       54 . The dispensing system of  claim 53  wherein the circuit board detects a type of dispensing unit mated with the dispensing head based on resistance detected across contact pads on the circuit board.  
   
   
       55 . The dispensing system of  claim 53  wherein the circuit board includes a data storage device, and wherein the data storage device stores characteristics of the dispensing unit including but not limited to types of cartridge loaded, type of material, calibration data, remaining shelf life of the material in the dispense cartridge, run-time of the dispensing head, and size of the dispensing needle.  
   
   
       56 . The dispensing system of  claim 55  wherein the data stored in the data storage device is updated by communication with the dispensing head.  
   
   
       57 . A method of exchanging a first dispensing unit for a second dispensing unit in a dispensing system having a dispensing head interface portion, the dispensing unit used to dispense a material onto an electronic substrate, the method comprising: 
 de-coupling the first dispensing unit from the dispensing head interface portion;    replacing the first dispensing unit with a second dispensing unit, wherein the second dispensing unit couples to the dispensing head interface portion;    communicating information from the second dispensing unit to the dispensing head interface portion; and    adjusting operation of the dispensing system based on the information communicated from the second dispensing unit to the dispensing head interface portion.    
   
   
       58 . The method of  claim 57  wherein adjusting operation of the dispensing system includes adjusting operation based on a characteristic of the second dispensing unit including but not limited to types of cartridge loaded, types of material, calibration data, remaining shelf life of the material in the dispense cartridge, run-time of the dispensing unit, and size of the dispensing needle.  
   
   
       59 . The method of  claim 57  further comprising electrically connecting the dispensing head interface portion and the second dispensing unit using a circuit board.  
   
   
       60 . The method of  claim 58  wherein the circuit board includes a data storage device and wherein the electrically connecting the dispensing head interface portion and the second dispensing unit includes storing information from the second dispensing unit on the data storage device.  
   
   
       61 . The method of  claim 57  further comprising pneumatically connecting the dispensing head interface portion and the second dispensing unit.