[time-nuts] OT stuffing boards: was GPS interface/prototyping

Bob Camp kb8tq at n1k.org
Fri Jun 24 00:25:40 UTC 2016


Hi

Right now the dividing line for a fully automatic machine is at about $3K. For 
below that you can get a machine without vision. For a bit above that you can 
get a machine with dual camera (one up / one down) vision capability. You 
quickly spiral up in cost as you add auto change pick heads, pneumatic 
feeders, and conveyor systems.  They all pretty much assume you have 
a Windows PC and that it’s free to use with the machine. 

One subtle hassle on assembly is parts on reels and the leader material. I 
have yet to find any pick and place feeders that are happy with the leader 
the distributors glue to cut tape. The only real alternative is to either design 
against an inventory that somebody already has or to plan on buying full 
reels of everything. 

Bob

> On Jun 23, 2016, at 7:28 PM, Mark Sims <holrum at hotmail.com> wrote:
> 
> There are fairly decent small pick-and-place machines you can get for <$3000.  A usable re-flow oven can be had for $300.  At these costs, it does not take many outside assembly house runs to pay for the machinery... maybe even one.  If your board has components on only one side,  the do-it-yourself route is a bit easier.
> I know a couple of people that made their own pick-and-place machines.  One is rather neat (optical imaging, etc) and out-performs some $10,000+ machines, except for maybe speed.  He built it over a couple of weeks from junk parts.  		 	   		  
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