-
- News
- Books
Featured Books
- smt007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current IssueIPC APEX EXPO 2024 Pre-show
This month’s issue devotes its pages to a comprehensive preview of the IPC APEX EXPO 2024 event. Whether your role is technical or business, if you're new-to-the-industry or seasoned veteran, you'll find value throughout this program.
Boost Your Sales
Every part of your business can be evaluated as a process, including your sales funnel. Optimizing your selling process requires a coordinated effort between marketing and sales. In this issue, industry experts in marketing and sales offer their best advice on how to boost your sales efforts.
The Cost of Rework
In this issue, we investigate rework's current state of the art. What are the root causes and how are they resolved? What is the financial impact of rework, and is it possible to eliminate it entirely without sacrificing your yields?
- Articles
- Columns
Search Console
- Links
- Events
||| MENU - smt007 Magazine
How to Select an Automatic Pick-and-Place Machine
April 15, 2015 | Robert Voigt, DDM NovastarEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
This is the third in a series of articles designed to help buyers analyze and select SMT equipment for PCB assembly, and examines automatic pick-and-place machines, the most complex component in a circuit assembly operation. Because of this complexity, the next few columns will address different functions in this process.
Automatic pick-and-place machines are much more common than manual or semiautomatic machines, but they also have the greatest range of capabilities and cost. This column will focus on features and capabilities and include some cautions regarding reliability of low-cost machines, including:
• Production volume ranges (CPH)
• Accuracy and repeatability specs
• Pick-up and centering methods
In future columns, I will address size, machine accuracy, encoders, feeders and mechanical positioning methods.
When starting your evaluation process, there are two defining factors to keep in mind, which determine what category fits your machine needs. The No. 1 principal factor is components per hour (CPH), and the secondary factor is machine capability.
Production Volume
As in the previous column, it’s constructive to start by addressing production ranges for various types of machines, since this is the No. 1 factor in your evaluation process. For purposes of comparison, since all circuit boards vary in size and complexity, we talk about volumes in terms of components per hour, or CPH. The following table offers a general guideline of machine categories defined by their CPH.
Machine Capabilities
This is the second defining factor in helping choose the correct auto pick-and-place machine for your needs. Here, we will only be talking about two aspects of machine capability: accuracy and repeatability, and pick-and-place centering methods.
Accuracy and Repeatability
For production machines, we typically recommend looking for a machine with accuracy of +/- .0001” and down to fine pitch capability of 12 mil on a repeated basis. Less expensive machines often don’t meet this spec. Most low-cost machines will also not come standard with a computer or software which could help with the repeatability aspects if not the accuracy. While some may offer enhanced technology, most do not.
Pick-and-place Centering Methods
There are four methods for pick-up and placement:
1. No centering mechanism
2. Mechanical (jaws)
3. Laser centering
4. Vision centering
Method 1: No centering mechanism other than relying on the component’s pick-up point for placement. In other words, the part is not physically centered after being picked up by the tool head, and if it’s picked off-center on the tool, it will be off-center when placed on the board. Obviously, this is not a very accurate placement method because there is no definable tolerance. You can expect to find this method used by hobbyists or instructors, but certainly not in any type of precision production environment. There are not many options available either, and long-term reliability is questionable.
• Pros: Low cost
• Cons: Low accuracy, repeatability and long-term reliability, no options, or spare parts
• Size range: No definable tolerances
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the March issue of SMT Magazine.
Suggested Items
IMI Taps New Opportunities to Sustain Grit in China
03/28/2024 | IMIIntegrated Micro-Electronics, Inc. (IMI), Joey S. Bantatua, IMI China’s head of operations and general manager was recently interviewed by Asia Electronics Industry (AEI) magazine where he talked about the prospects of the country both as a market and a production hub.
Electronics Industry Sentiment Rises in March
03/27/2024 | IPCIPC releases March 2024 Global Sentiment of the Electronics Supply Chain Report
The Delicate Balance of Sustainable Business and Going Green
03/25/2024 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamAlex Stepinski is known throughout the industry as an innovator and disruptor committed to environmental sustainability, primarily through his current work around zero liquid discharge (ZLD) for PCB fabrication. But Alex says financial sustainability must come first. Standing firm in his belief that green is the most financially sustainable option for manufacturing and financial success, he explains his position and vision for a greener, more lucrative future for bare board fabricators. “Before I retire in about 10 years,” he says, “I want to make sure that all new fabs, and at least 25% of the old ones are zero liquid discharge in this industry.”
BTU International Redefines Operational Value and Efficiency with the Aurora Platform of Reflow Ovens
03/20/2024 | BTU International, Inc.BTU International, Inc., a leading supplier of advanced thermal processing equipment for the electronics manufacturing market, is proud to announce that its new Aurora platform of reflow ovens is designed to minimize the Cost of Ownership (CoO) while maximizing performance and operational value for its users.
Terran Orbital Unveils Next-Generation SmallSat GEO Solution
03/15/2024 | BUSINESS WIRETerran Orbital Corporation, a global leader in satellite-based solutions primarily serving the aerospace and defense industries, announced their entrance into the small satellite geosynchronous orbit (GEO) market with their SmallSat GEO™ solution for satellites above 500kg.