Method For Assembling A Customized Printed Circuit Board

Abstract

A system and a method are provided for assembling a customized printed circuit board having at least one electrical component. The system includes an input device for allowing a user to input predetermined information on the customized printed circuit board to be assembled. A central processing unit is operatively connected to the input device by a communications network, such as the internet. The central processing unit receives the predetermined information and generates assembly instructions in response to the predetermined information. A machine is operatively connected to the central processing unit for assembling the customized printed circuit board in response to the assembly instructions

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       17 . A method of assembling one or more electrical components on a printed circuit board, the method comprising the steps of:
 receiving a customer file from a remote user, the customer file containing locations of one or electrical components to be assembled on the printed circuit board;   generating an assembly file for assembling the one or more electrical components on the printed circuit board; and   assembling the printed circuit board in accordance with the assembly file.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the step of assembling the printed circuit board includes the additional steps of:
 placing the circuit board components on plate-type carriers;   positioning the carriers in the vicinity of a circuit board assembly machine; and   selecting the circuit board components from the plate-type carriers for assembling the components on the printed circuit board.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17  including the additional step of downloading the assembly file to a machine prior to assembling the printed circuit board. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17  comprising the additional steps of:
 inputting predetermined information on the customized printed circuit board to be assembled, the predetermined information defining the customer file; and   transmitting the consumer file to a central processing unit.   
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the customer file is transmitted to the central processing unit over the internet. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the predetermined information includes billing information. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the predetermined information includes a bill of materials for the customized printed circuit board. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the predetermined information includes a graphic image of the customized printed circuit board.