SmallSMT - Discussion Thread.

[Smallsmt]

Single or double head usage depends on your placement strategy settings.

[ar__systems]

Looks like it is doing a decent job

[ar__systems]

Looks good, but seeing this video I only now realise that if one head moves down the other one moves up why is that, single motor?

Most small machine use single stepper to control both heads.

[Smallsmt]

Most small machine use single stepper to control both heads.

Yes because of weight and space limitations.
A placement head should have small width! You loose working area space because every head need to reach each feeder position.

[Kjelt]

Most small machine use single stepper to control both heads.

Ah ok, interesting, how does that mechanism exactly work? In the middle both heads are neutral, going + moves head A down and head B up, going - moves the head B down and A up?

[ar__systems]

yes, one arm attached to the motor's spindle. One side pushes one down.

[Smallsmt]

We use a belt it's working like an elevator!

[ServoKit]

Close-up of the TVM802 head. The motor engages the lever, one nozzle goes down, the other goes up. The smaller steppers rotate the nozzle.

Regards, Axel

[glenenglish]

Michael, what lead do you have on your ball screws ?

[Smallsmt]

Hi Glen,

we need 3-4 weeks to build standard HP machines.

Best regards
Michael

[glenenglish]

No NO what lead do you have on your ballscrews- what PITCH ?

[Smallsmt]

We use 20mm pitch

[Smallsmt]

I am in the factory in China today and we are working on some improvements of our software.

http://www.smallsmt.biz/2016/05/07/i-am-in-china-visiting-yusheng-discussing-new-machine-details/

[mrpackethead]

And its a nice factory at that.

[Smallsmt]

Andrew,
I am happy you find a new friend.
Maybe we arrange a hacker camp in China building cheap high precision pnp machines soon
So many people here have spare time to build.

Best regards
Michael

[mrpackethead]

Andrew,
I am happy you find a new friend.
Maybe we arrange a hacker camp in China building cheap high precision pnp machines soon
So many people here have spare time to build.

Best regards
Michael

You shoudl make freinds with bootstrap, he sounds like you and him will get on really well.

[l0wside]

SmallSMT had a booth at Maker Faire Bodensee in Friedrichshafen (Southern Germany). I spent a day to go and have a look.

For your amusement, I have attached a photo of the booth.


The rest of the Maker Faire was little better, but that´s a different story.

Max

[mrpackethead]

Whats up Micheal?  are you still doing this smallSMT stuff?   You've been awfully quiet.

[l0wside]

OK, I missed to check his blog the day before going to Friedrichshafen: http://www.smallsmt.biz/home/blog/
Michael seems to have been sick. Still, I am somewhat disappointed.

Max

[Smallsmt]

Hi,

yes we couldn't visit the Maker Faire I had a heavy virus infection infection before an my friend Marc was in hospital.

But we have 2 exhibitions left this year one in Nordhorn and one in Berlin.

Max you are living near to me so it's possible you visit me in my office.


Best regards
Michael

[CaveMan]

Hi All,
I just ordered a VP2800HP machine from SmallSMT on January 31st, and I thought I would use this thread to share my opinions about the machine once it arrives.  I'm new to the forum, so if anyone objects to me adding to an old thread, let me know.  It will probably be another few weeks before they're even finished building the machine, but here is the configuration that I ordered:
West feeder: 34 x 8mm
East feeder: 4 x 12mm + 2 x 24mm + 22 x 8mm
North feeder: 4 x 12mm + 2 x 16mm + 5 x 24mm
Vibration feeder

[Muxr]

Hi All,
I just ordered a VP2800HP machine from SmallSMT on January 31st, and I thought I would use this thread to share my opinions about the machine once it arrives.  I'm new to the forum, so if anyone objects to me adding to an old thread, let me know.  It will probably be another few weeks before they're even finished building the machine, but here is the configuration that I ordered:
West feeder: 34 x 8mm
East feeder: 4 x 12mm + 2 x 24mm + 22 x 8mm
North feeder: 4 x 12mm + 2 x 16mm + 5 x 24mm
Vibration feeder

Please do share your experience. I am also evaluating different options as I am in the market for a PNP as well.

[CaveMan]

The VP2800HP arrived by FedEx Freight today. I will be unpacking it this weekend and I'll post more updates and pictures.

[mrpackethead]

Hi All,
I just ordered a VP2800HP machine from SmallSMT on January 31st, and I thought I would use this thread to share my opinions about the machine once it arrives.  I'm new to the forum, so if anyone objects to me adding to an old thread, let me know.  It will probably be another few weeks before they're even finished building the machine, but here is the configuration that I ordered:
West feeder: 34 x 8mm
East feeder: 4 x 12mm + 2 x 24mm + 22 x 8mm
North feeder: 4 x 12mm + 2 x 16mm + 5 x 24mm
Vibration feeder

Amazing how you ordered it in the future.

[CaveMan]

Sorry mrpackethead, I meant December 31st.

Anyway, the machine arrived much earlier than I expected, and I'm unpacking the machine now. Everything was carefully packed in a sturdy wooden box. Attached are some pictures. The machine is currently sitting on the shipping crate (obviously turned upside-down). If you get a 2800-size machine, definitely have some other people help you move it.  I had three other people help me lift it out of the crate.

Hardware: I wasn't sure what kind of airline the machine would have, and I'm pleased that it comes with a 1/4" NPT male connector, so I can easily hook it to my air compressor without additional fittings. I need to order an oil/water/air separator, but I'm waiting to hear back from Michael about what filter size (5um, 40um, etc) he recommends.

Software: At the end of installation, there is an option to automatically install the usb driver and visual c++ runtime environment. The automatic installation didn't work because of Windows permissions (I got some errors alluding to an inability to install C:\SMT\supportfiles\vcredist_x86.exe and C:\SMT\supportfiles\usb_serial_driver\SETUP.exe), but this was very easily fixed: I re-executed both executables myself and clicked through the Windows dialog.

My next step is to order a 1:2 stepup transformer, since it looks like the machine is not working properly with 120VAC.  The website says that these machines work with 110/230VAC, but Michael just told me that they actually work only with 230VAC.  I'm waiting to hear back from him about peak power consumption before I buy a transformer.  I'll post more after that.  I hope someone finds this helpful!

Update: Michael from SmallSMT says that a 40um filter on the air line is fine, so I ordered Airtac GFR: Filter/Regulator with Metal Bowl - GFR300C08AC3T (I've heard bad things about plastic and glass bowl filters, and this one has an automatic water drain).  Michael also says "Your main switching power supply is able to deliver 480W but used maybe 200W. The X motor has 200W, Y Motor 400W. So maximum peak power consumption can be 700VA if you run the machine on high speed." It looks to me like this actually comes out to 800W, but I got a 750W AcuPwr step-up transformer (ACUPWR AU-750), which is tested to 900W continuous. I expect to get these parts late next week -- more updates then!

Update 2/20/17: Transformer is here, still waiting for air filter. Machine powers up nicely. You should avoid GFI outlets: Big inductive draw-down when machine powers on will trip GFI, but standard breaker is fine.  Haven't programmed a board yet, but I've moved X, Y, heads 1 & 2 (Z and theta), West tape advancer, and switched through the 3 cameras.  Have not loaded any tapes yet. Learning: I thought "VideoNo1" and "VideoNo2" would cycle between the cameras, but learned that you should always use "VideoNo1", as "VideoNo2" crashes the program.  Within "VideoNo1" you can choose to look at any of the 3 cameras ("Mark Cam", "Bot. Cam1", "Bot. Cam2"). Will post a video soon!