(19)

(11)

EP 1 105 248 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 13.06.2001 Bulletin 2001/24 (21) Application number: 99957032.8 (22) Date of filing: 14.06.1999

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: B23K 26/18, H05K 3/00, B41J 2/16 (86) International application number: PCT/GB9901/875 (87) International publication number: WO 9965/639 (23.12.1999 Gazette 1999/51)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT CH DE ES FR GB IT LI SE (30) Priority: 13.06.1998 GB 9812725 (71) Applicant: EXCELLON AUTOMATION Torrance,California 90509 (US)	(72) Inventors: GOWER, Malcolm, Charles Oxford OX8 8LH (GB) RUMSBY, Philip, Thomas Oxford OX8 8LH (GB) THOMAS, Dafydd, Wyn Oxford OX8 8LH (GB) (74) Representative: Spall, Christopher John  Barker Brettell,138 Hagley Road Edgbaston,Birmingham B16 9PW Edgbaston,Birmingham B16 9PW (GB)