Quad IV C Recommendations

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I have been researching older lower cost used Pick and Place... - Jan 10, 2011 by gosswald

0603 and up should be no problem on the machine. If you are ... - Jan 11, 2011 by JMW

JMW, Thank you for your reply. Can you add the upward camera... - Jan 11, 2011 by gosswald

To add the camera to the machine would have a lot involved..... - Jan 12, 2011 by JMW

Definitely agree with JMW, most machines you find will alrea... - Jan 12, 2011 by Gantry

gosswald

#63473

Quad IV C Recommendations | 10 January, 2011

I have been researching older lower cost used Pick and Place machines and so far I am leaning towards the Quad IV C. There seems to be a fair amount of these units around and I have heard some pretty good things about them on some of the past posts. I am also looking for something I can easily find parts, feeders, and additional machinery later that is of the same model.

I do not have experience with this machine. I have read some pretty good posts on the up and down sides of buying used machinery. I have a lot experience in technical manufacturing and have worked with robotic and CCTV equipment. So I am used to working with the types of circuits that would operate this machine. I am also foolhardy enough to dive into equipment such as this to learn all of the ins and outs of repairs and maintenance. So what I am trying to say is I am not afraid to take a chance.

My questions are the practical use of component placement with this machine. I want to use this machine for fairly small run industrial boards. My smallest passives are 0603 but I do have some finer pitch ICs such as SSOP and TQFP. I am curious if anyone is using this machine to place these items and what has been your success with it? Can you use the feeders with cut tape?

I am looking to purchase a lower cost machine and would consider an “as is” purchase if the price was right or a very good value (low cost) reconditioned unit.

Thanks in advance for your replies.

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JMW

#63483

Quad IV C Recommendations | 11 January, 2011

0603 and up should be no problem on the machine. If you are doing under 25 mil pitch the machine needs an upward camera to repeatably place the parts. You will always lose the first 10 or so parts with cut tape but that should be about it. Repair parts can be found online. There are many people with user/repair experience that should be able to help you out with questions on this machine. The machines have had many different options over the years.....cyber-head vrs. quad-align, 4c vrs 4c-mk2, version of central controller and/or autoprogram, fast homing option or slow homing option, vision system or no vision system.....and many others......

good luck

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gosswald

#63485

Quad IV C Recommendations | 11 January, 2011

JMW, Thank you for your reply. Can you add the upward camera to this machine that does not have it after purchase? If so what is involved?

I do have typically two items per board that would be below 25 mil pitch.

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JMW

#63496

Quad IV C Recommendations | 12 January, 2011

To add the camera to the machine would have a lot involved......including possible software/firmware upgrade. I would say buy a machine that already has it on it. To find the parts and upgrade it would probably cost more than the machine is worth. Hope this helps...

Good luck

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Gantry

#63500

Quad IV C Recommendations | 12 January, 2011

Definitely agree with JMW, most machines you find will already have the upward looking camera unless it was the first (or second) head in a multi-head system. I would not look at a C-series without the upward looking camera

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