Patent ID: 6158727
Filing Date: 2000-12-12
Classification: H05K

Abstract:
A pin table for supporting a workpiece while an operation is carried out on the workpiece, the table comprising an array of vertically disposed elongate pins mounted in a base, each of the pins being selectively and independently movable relative to the base between a lowered and a raised position whereby the workpiece may be supported, by selectively raised pins, at several pre-determined locations to prevent it distorting under force applied to it during the aforesaid operation, each said pin being constituted by a piston rod of a fluid-powered cylinder and being movable into its raised position by the selective application of pressurised actuating fluid to the fluid-powered cylinder via control valve means, said control valve means being operable to permit the supply of said pressurised actuating fluid to said cylinder, thereby to raise its piston rod, only in response to variation of two control signals applied to said control valve means.