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Integration of manual odd form / low volume pick and place

Kevin Facinelli

#21225

Integration of manual odd form / low volume pick and place | 19 August, 2002

I would like to understand what different options people are using to place low volume / odd form parts. I am very familiar with the tweezers / vacuum pen method however this can be less than desirable. I am looking into a manual pick and place to supplement a Phillips Topaz / Emerald line. The Phillips machines are great but I need the flexibility to place some loose odd form / low volume parts. These parts usually come from a prototype run utilizing samples that are in less than desirable packaging.

I was also interested in a system that may be part of or mount to a piece of conveyor. I would like to be able to do a few of these parts in low volume before entering our convection. It would be ideal to not have to remove the board from the conveyer.

Any Ideas?

Kevin

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Ken Bliss

#21226

Integration of manual odd form / low volume pick and place | 19 August, 2002

Some things to consider 1. can one operator keep up with manual operations and not slow the line down? If yes, great. If no you will need a way to allow more than one operator access to the next board coming down the line to not create a bottleneck.

2. If you remove the board from the line the second or even third manual insertion operator could all keep the line running smoothly

3. A cantilever design techbench will work very well for this application, there are several companies that offer them, you can see ours at http://www.blissindustries.com/products/flexbench/flexbench.htm

The cantilever unit allows the work area to overhang the conveyor so you can actually work on the line with the conveyor running right along the front of the bench.

If that method wont meet your needs you should go to the tray cart method, were you pull the board off the line and put it into a tray, then put the tray in a cart and roll it over to the manual assembly area, do the actual manual work in the tray on top of a standard techbench, then take it back to the conveyor for reflow.

There are several manufacturers of all the equipment mentioned. The list includes, Bliss Industries, metro, Cari-All, to name 3 well knowns.

Hope that helps

Ken Bliss www.blissindustries.com

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Kevin Facinelli

#21227

Integration of manual odd form / low volume pick and place | 19 August, 2002

Ken,

Thanks for the info but I do not see where this addresses my main concern of placement using an alternative to the tweezers and keeping the board on the conveyer. Please let me know if I am missing something.

Thanks,

Kevin

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Ken Bliss

#21231

Integration of manual odd form / low volume pick and place | 19 August, 2002

Kevin

You had stated "manual" so I assumed that you are looking for some better tools to actually do the work, but you wanted to keep it on the conveyor line which would require some workstation configuration to have the right tools at the operator finger tips to do this efficiently. I do not have the tools but I do have the work station that might help.

If I have misinterpreted entirely what you wanted, please ignore my comments.

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Bernard Mulcahy

#21238

Integration of manual odd form / low volume pick and place | 20 August, 2002

Hi,

I guess you a looking for a manual x-y table with a vacuum pick up such as SMT6000 from OK industries. I presume these are still being made-- We use one successfully at the end of a Mydata machine to place low volume components which we cannot justify buying a feeder or pick nozzle for.

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#21244

Integration of manual odd form / low volume pick and place | 20 August, 2002

Kevin, I saw a few months ago in a Philips pamphet that they now have a "tray" that sits at the feeder locations for loose components or a small tape of components. I think it was for the Topaz machine.

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John Lee

#21272

Integration of manual odd form / low volume pick and place | 21 August, 2002

Kevin, There are a number of custom integrated systems that perform automated insertion of "odd" components. These system use either a robot or cantilevered X,Y,Z Cartesian motion systems. Our systems have accepted standard and custom component feeders such as: vib bowl; stick/tube; tape; matrix tray; gel pak; waffle pack; etc. Grippers can be mechanical or vacuum---many times we have several P&P techniques on the same system for various component types. What I would recommend is to develop a specification or statement of work that includes, (at a minimum); max and min board size; component types, sizes, weights; package or feeder types required; placement repeatability; placement speed or throughput; budget; etc. and then shop it to companies like Zmation. Sorry to be so long. John Lee

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S.Evers

#21276

Integration of manual odd form / low volume pick and place | 21 August, 2002

Fritch: http://www.fritschusa.com APS: http://www.apsgold.com MannCorp: http://www.manncorp.com Advanced Techniques: http://www.atco-us.com

All of these companies make or sell manual vacuum aided assembly systems which will address your low end assembly needs.

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Tony

#21288

Integration of manual odd form / low volume pick and place | 22 August, 2002

I personaly use the SMT6000 and STM8000 from OK industries for small quantiy and prototype boards. The board does need to be removed from the conveyer but these machines work well for the volume I do.

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CAL

#21311

Integration of manual odd form / low volume pick and place | 23 August, 2002

We have a great sophistcated Manual/Semi Assembly station available for BGS, QFP, Chips, CSP......Can use matrix trays, tape reel,Cut tape reel, loose parts, and sticks.

Please contact me off line for more details.

I am not a salesman....AppsEng.

Cal

cdriscoll@manncorp.com

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Hermann

#21314

Integration of manual odd form / low volume pick and place | 24 August, 2002

Our manual and semiautomatic pick an place machines are suitable for all low volume tasks, fine pitch included, thanks to a special break system, guiding the manual mooving of the nozzle. Have a look at http://www.harotec.ch Hermann

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Ed Mentzer

#21344

Integration of manual odd form / low volume pick and place | 28 August, 2002

We use a manual "pick and place" unit similar to the OK product, and it work great. The parts are in a tray and the operator moves the pick up head over the part and press down which turns on the vacuum, the vacuum is turned off when the part is placed. The machine is not inline, but off to the side. We have placed all types of parts with the machine such as transformers, coils, switches, chip parts and IC's.

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mark

#21466

Integration of manual odd form / low volume pick and place | 10 September, 2002

Kevin

If you want to go automated then why not take a look at the Philips ACM. It is the flagship for placing SMT and Oddform packages. We use Vacuum nozzles and Grippers to handle many truly oddform components.

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Paul Gerits

#21486

Integration of manual odd form / low volume pick and place | 11 September, 2002

Dear Sir,

We as Assembl�on (member of the Royal Philips group, former Philips EMT) have several solutions for you or we can give you support with your request. Either on how to handle the components manually or automated. Feel free to contact me or my colleagues in Atlanta.

sincerely,

Paul Gerits Assembl�on Netherlands +31 - 40 - 27 66053 paul.gerits@philips.com

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