SMALLSMT Vision Placer Pick & Place machines

[IconicPCB]

Thanks Michael,

Is there a resource which might clarify CL feeder options?

In particular are there feeders which handle say some of the switches and electrolytic capacitors

[mrpackethead]

I place a 12mm thick inductor out of a CL24mm, and 6mm high electrolytics out of a 16mm.    8mm feeders are largely restricted to thin parts..there are some SOT23 in 8mm

THis info is in teh yamaha manual, but i dont' have an online copy, and i'm not in the office.

[IconicPCB]

Much obliged MrPackethead.

[jarekk]

Hi,

I have decided to buy your entry machine ( the smallest one 2000S - you have my questions in mail)

I do know that it is compromise - I did have small tabletop PNP machine (http://mechatronic-systems.com/products/smt%20placer/P1_e.html ), so I know what I am doing. I almost went for DP version, but my volumes are too low to justify extra 3k$ ( even if I was tempted).

But I digress.

I have almost started business like yours ( small PNP machines) after I sold mine. It was not a bad one, but I thought I could do better :-). I gave up the project after getting into business I thought would be more profitable. I was left with almost working prototype and almost ready software ( QT, OpenCV , Lua ).

It was on such level that it would not need much to get it rolling. Especially that only core things were in QT, everything else was coded in LUA scripts - so it would be highly adaptable.

Would you consider showing me  interface to your machine ?  This would allow me finish it and share  as Open Source.
As many people mentioned, it would actually benefit you ( I hope). And I spent so much on this software that I would be happy to use it instead of scrapping it.

[Smallsmt]

Hi Jarek,
you can use our communications dll we coded using QT environment.
It's possible to operate under Windows and Linux operating systems.

Regards
Michael

[jarekk]

Where to find them ? ( your Download section is password protected )

[Smallsmt]

I am sorry this area is for customers only!

[IconicPCB]

Michael,

I am trying to understand the fixed push feeders.

I guess they are designed to handle 8mm tape ?  for what tape pitch? is the pitch selectable/adjustable?

Yamaha feeders would augment the limitations of fixed push feeders?

What pitch does Yamaha feeder offer?

Being purely mechanical feeders is there an adjustment imperativ associated with either type of feeder?

[Smallsmt]

I guess they are designed to handle 8mm tape ?  for what tape pitch? is the pitch selectable/adjustable?

The push feeder are designed to move the tape 4mm on each push cycle.
If you need to feed bigger distance you apply more feed cycles.
They are working perfect on paper tapes nearly 100% reliable.
On wide plastic tapes the reliability is not as good it depends on tape material and tape weight.
It's still much better than drag feeder.
There is one thing you need to care the even usage of all feeder lines on one feeder side.
Because all cover tapes on a feeder block moved the same time.
On feeded line the cover tape changes position but ont the other lines the cover tape may break after > 1500 cycles not feeded.
Recommend for prototyping use.

Yamaha feeders would augment the limitations of fixed push feeders?

The yamaha feeder lines use adjusted design for each feeder width and size of component.
Only the adressed cassette feed and wind the cover tape so no influence to other feeder lines.
They support taller components too.
No problem for big reels and heavy components.
Recommend for production use.

What pitch does Yamaha feeder offer?

The pitch depend on feeder cassettes
0201 >> 2mm fixed , 8mm width
0402 >> 2mm fixed, 8mm width
Standard 4mm fixed, 8mm width
4,8,12,16  adjustable for 12 / 16 mm width
4,8,12,16,24 adjustable for 24mm width

Being purely mechanical feeders is there an adjustment imperativ associated with either type of feeder?

The CL Feeder need to adjust feed time and the pitch is adjusted mechanically.
For Push feeder you need to adjust push feeder arm position and feed cycles plus time.

[kgbxyz]

Thank you for all the answers.

I find the first answer the best.

>Ask any Chinese what they think of the the destruction of their nation brought about by Opium wars and gunboat diplomacy.

Unfortunately, I can not feel sorry for them.

[Smallsmt]

Our reflow oven HR-300 is in stock in Germany now.

It has ceramic infrared emitters with hot air circulation in the soldering chamber.
The complete soldering process takes place in the closed drawer and the solder vapours are extracted via an exhaust hose in the cooling phase.
The reflow oven has a very good heat distribution and has 4 insertable profiles. We have successfully tested Loctite GC 10 paste and complex assemblies with satisfactory results.

https://www.smallsmt.biz/reflow-oven-hr-300/

Our VP-2800HP-CL64 will be presented in May at the SMT Connect exhibition in Nuremberg with a 3 zone internal conveyor and SMEMA interface.

[IconicPCB]

Michael,

Any more info on the conveyor system?
When do you expect it will be offered to general public?

[Smallsmt]

We start sales end of April for this new feature.
If conveyour option installed you loose the push feeder bank on west side.

It hase 3 zones and the middle zone has pneumatice lock function.
The width is adjustable by motor.

[SWR]

Hi Michael

Our VP-2800HP-CL64 will be presented in May at the SMT Connect exhibition in Nuremberg with a 3 zone internal conveyor and SMEMA interface.

Are you planning any exhibition offers on the VP-2500DP machines?

Best regards
Sören

[Smallsmt]

I am sorry we don’t do special exhibition offers please ask Sunny for a quotation.
We don’t take the smaller machines to SMT connect exhibition because software and components are similar to the bigger machines.

[IconicPCB]

Hello Michael,

Please discuss the relative merits of Your two head versus four head machine and the resulting presence and absence of tool changing capabilities in the two models. More to the point selection of nozzles for the four head machine and lack of flexibility versus two head flexibility and potentially lower production rates.

[Smallsmt]

There are different customer demands and we needed to find a solution.

VP-2800HP-CL62-2H has 2 heads and the option to use dispenser head and nozzle changer because the nozzles are in a row.
+ flexible nozzle usage because of 6 slots nozzle changer
+ dispenser head possible
+ optimized nozzle usage in 2 heads can change to same nozzle in both heads
- less cph because of 2 heads
- part alignment per head step by step

VP-2800HP-CL64-4H has 4 heads in 2 rows this avoid the usage of nozzle changer and dispenser head. You can use a mix of 4 nozzles.
+ little precision improvement because no nozzle changes
+ speed improvement because of 4 heads
+ compact head design need small overhead
- no nozzle changer
- no dispenser head
- part alignment per head step by step

future product
VP-2800HP-CL64-4R has 4 heads in a row this avoid the usage of nozzle changer and dispenser head. You can use a mix of 4 nozzles.
+ little precision improvement because no nozzle changes
+ speed improvement because of 4 heads
+ no nozzle changer needed
+ head 4 can carry dispenser
+ high speed camera aligns 4 heads during fly by
+ conveyour option possible but loose 35 push feeder

VP-2800HP-CL64-6R has 6 heads in a row this avoid the usage of nozzle changer and dispenser head. You can use a mix of 6 nozzles.
+ little precision improvement because no nozzle changes
+ speed improvement because of 4 heads
+ no nozzle changer needed
+ head 6 can carry dispenser
+ high speed camera aligns 6 heads during fly by
+ conveyour option possible but loose 35 push feeder

[IconicPCB]

Thanks Michael,

Is the nozzle assignment flexible enough to allow nozzle balancing prior to pick and place action? In other words having the pick and place file and having decided which nozzle type is to be used on line by line basis, does the system make recommendations on nozzle type and nozzle position on head by head basis?

[Smallsmt]

Is the nozzle assignment flexible enough to allow nozzle balancing prior to pick and place action?

You can use the PNP strategy setting to sort the PNP list by nozzle before running the job.
There is no automatic nozzle balancing. The software search the next part for each head during placement.

In other words having the pick and place file and having decided which nozzle type is to be used on line by line basis, does the system make recommendations on nozzle type and nozzle position on head by head basis?

If you start placing the first line tellthe system which nozzleto fetch.
If there are 2 equal nozzles in changer and double head mode enabled it will take the second equal nozzle and start placing using 2 equal nozzles.
When all parts placed for current nozzle the software exchange to next needed nozzle and so on.

[girts]

When all parts placed for current nozzle the software exchange to next needed nozzle and so on.

How this strategy works on panelized boards? 

[Smallsmt]

Depends on your PNP data!
If you panelize the single pnp list the machine will populate board by board.
If you do one pnp list for the whole panel it will do as described before.

[IconicPCB]

Hello Michael,

Thank You for the explanation.

[SWR]

Hello Michael,

I've just purchased a VP-2500DP WNE machine and while I'm waiting for it to arrive, I have a bunch of newbie questions due to my limited knowledge in this field.

The 5 included nozzles will suite my needs quite well according to the Juki nozzle applications catalogue, but I have no idea how quickly theese will wear out, so I'm thinking about if I should purchase a spare set already.

According to your experience how many operations will a nozzle endure?

I've purchased a low noise 8 bar 155 litre/minute (according to the ad) compressor with a 6 litre buffer tank that can be adjusted to 6 bar on the output, but to my disappointment the small letters in the specifications part of the manual that came with it says 105 litre/minute, and I don't know which of them is correct.

How critical is the 110 litre/minute specification for the VP-2500DP?
What is the dimension of the included air pressure tube?

I'm planning to mount the machine directly to the wall with solid brackets to minimize vibration during operation.

Do you have technical drawings of the machine with dimensions?

Specifically I'm interested in the bottom view, but if that's not available I can maybe use top and front views. I want to avoid blocking the slots for the used tape. The dimensions are in the manual, but I can't see if they are just the machine body, including the feeder rails or perhaps even including the feeder reels?

My setup will be: Manual screener -> VP-2500DP -> Imdes Mini Condens-IT

If you have a link to some interesting reading that could help a total P&P newbie to get up to speed, please feel free to suggest anything that you find relevant.

Best regards
Soren

[Styno]

How critical is the 110 litre/minute specification for the VP-2500DP?

Just attempting to answer this from experience with another P&P, the specification is usually a theoretical maximum that you will not encounter often for longer periods (if at all) and your buffer tank smooth out any mismatch between compressor and P&P. E.g. the vacuum on the nozzles will not be on all the time, the nozzle's will not have component all the time, your feeders are not constantly using air etc.

Our compressor -in theory- is barely able to supply enough for our P&P as well but in practice the duty cycle of the compressor is less than 50% when the P&P is working at full-speed.

[Smallsmt]

Hi Soren,
I know you purchased a machine thank you for this, but it need some time until it arrive in your office.
I am sorry to reply late but I am currently very busy and need some time to reply to non urgent questions.

The 5 included nozzles will suite my needs quite well according to the Juki nozzle applications catalogue, but I have no idea how quickly theese will wear out, so I'm thinking about if I should purchase a spare set already.
According to your experience how many operations will a nozzle endure?

You can place 100000 components without a problem. The main reason to keep spare nozzles is to have spare parts if they got mechanical damaged.

I've purchased a low noise 8 bar 155 litre/minute (according to the ad) compressor with a 6 litre buffer tank that can be adjusted to 6 bar on the output, but to my disappointment the small letters in the specifications part of the manual that came with it says 105 litre/minute, and I don't know which of them is correct. 

We defined 110l/m to avoid the compressor switched to often on and of.

How critical is the 110 litre/minute specification for the VP-2500DP?
What is the dimension of the included air pressure tube?

It’s a 9mm tube.

I'm planning to mount the machine directly to the wall with solid brackets to minimize vibration during operation.

You should use a stable stand because machine is heavy and the acceleration keep a weak table shaking.

Do you have technical drawings of the machine with dimensions?

Not for this machine type but a 90x90cm table plate fill fit.

Specifically I'm interested in the bottom view, but if that's not available I can maybe use top and front views. I want to avoid blocking the slots for the used tape. The dimensions are in the manual, but I can't see if they are just the machine body, including the feeder rails or perhaps even including the feeder reels?

You can use a 20x90cm plate on both sides of the table frame to keep free access to machine bottom side.

Regards
Michael