Conveyers Between SM Machines

We run loader (no conveyor) printer (conveyor) P&P (conveyor) P&P. Hand carry to reflow, hand carry to AOI. Conveyors are there for reason you mentioned, access to equipment. It is much easier to move conveyor than P&P or printer. Fortunately have not had a big need to access SMT equipment, few breakdowns. It does add to length of line, but our operators are in good shape......

Murphys law says if we were not using conveyors, we would have many breakdowns.

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As a tech, much happier when there are conveyors between machines (although 1/2 mtr seems sufficient)... in house maintenance much happier when it's a conveyor to move rather than the printer.

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It is good to have: conveyor after SPI(if you don't have SPI should be after the printer), conveyor before the oven(inspection station is better), conveyor after the oven - before your destacker if you have one. The rest of it, depends on how long line you want to have and is optional. I have: rack loader-loader-printer-conveyor-p&p-inspection link-oven-conveyor-FIFO buffer(holds 25pcb)-AOI-inspection link-pcb inverter-rack unloader. This board handling equipment is what really makes it fully automated line. Put the board infront and collect at the end.

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We built a line consisting of:

BBL--PRINTER--CONV--PNP--CONV--PNP--CONV--OVEN

Conveyor between each machine allows quick visual inspection or if a pnp is down for maintenance (or not needed) we can manually move boards around the down machine easily. It is also nice for maintenance as has been mentioned. We don't need to move any large equipment if we need access to a side panel. Converyors are simple, inexpensive and rarely have maintenance requirements so I would use them when ever there is space. We use 24" length units.

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Our lines consist of: BBL>Printer>SPI>Conveyor>Gate>PNP>Inspection Conveyor>Oven>Stacker (in case the oven gets backed up)>AOI> NG Stacker>End of line Stacker.

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Kindly you can visit http://www.nishient.com regarding your conveyor.

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Conveyors allow for progressive indexing and buffer zones within an SMT line. Not only do they allow technicians improved access to machines for troubleshooting or technical support (which they are VERY Thankful for), but they allow (As many people here have stated) the flexibility to increase operator proficiency when working on the line.

A good conveyor should be installed and hardly (if ever) breakdown for over 2-3 years from date of install. It is far more likely that PM and troubleshooting will occur on "anchor pieces" on the line and the conveyor allows for a MUCH easier access point to those critical pieces of equipment during those times. - Perhaps minimal; but (from a customer point of view) the line itself looks more complete and versatile. Large Contract MFG groups NEVER bypass solid interconnect pieces and there is a reason for it; down-time = money.

Reflow ovens and Waves do not stop either. Accumulation stations, continuous running conveyors, and wave unloaders ensure product safety and prevent back-ups from occurring in your oven and wave.

Additionally, depending upon which pieces of equipment you are looking at pursuing, some rail sets can lay just inside of machine bodies - increasing spacing from machine to machine; not allowing for seamless pcb transition. Interconnect pieces can offer "forgiveness" and compensation during the initial SMTLine installation.

If floor space is tight, most quality conveyor suppliers offer "clean room" versions of equipment that tend to minimize machine footprint (as clean-room space is expensive).

Another example where conveyors maintain applicability is for dual-side PCB population/production. While AGV's (Automated Guided Vehicles) are still on the rise, 90° Turn Stations, POST AOI & SPI Sorting stations, and PCB Invert Stations can recirculate PCBS to the front of the line and increase productivity while minimizing human intervention.

I suppose the real answer is relative to the level of automation and productivity your team is looking to pursue or achieve.

Long live the simple yet versatile transfer conveyor!

Cheers!

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