Machine with “no limits” allows the reduction of the size of components and support iOT development

Passed the times when PCB boards were assembled manually. It was slow, inefficient and not precise enough. As the componentry size decreased, the use of manual labour became virtually impossible. That lead to the development of pick and place machines.

Why Pick and Place machines are essential

The Pick and Place (PNP) machine is a robotic device used for PCB assembly. The success of surface mount technology (SMT) is largely driven by the sophisticated innovation of PNP machines.

They use a vacuum to pick components off a piece of tape, in reels or tubes or on flat packs, rotate to fit the correct position and then place them on the board as defined by software generated from the PCB files.

The Pick and Place machine is a key part of a modern printed circuit board (PCB) assembly line, which allows PCB components to be automatically placed with high speed and high precision in a customisable way.

The use of PNP machines is the foundation to lowering the production costs, improved productivity and increased product quality.

PNP machines are used to place a broad range of electronic components, including capacitors, resistors, integrated circuits on PCBs, which are then used in computers, consumer electronics, medical, automotive, industrial and telecommunication equipment.

Growing iOT development demands PNP machines with higher specs, including higher speed, higher precision and the ability to use smaller components.

Choosing a machine with No Limits

Understanding the importance of the PNP machine for the PBC assembly process, Triode put a lot of effort into choosing the right machine for the job.

Our choice is the iineo+ from Europlacer. Their Integrated Intelligence machines have been designed to be flexible and perform in a changing environment. iineo+ offers a truly Integrated Intelligence for increased productivity in day-to-day performance and offers the highest level of flexibility and feeder count in the industry today.

This machine has a lot of flexibility and can be configured to meet a wide range of production requirements. This ability to be highly configurable means there is no need to compromise on feeder count, placement speed or component capability.

This one only in New Zealand machine allows Triode to deliver to the highest international standards when it comes to PBC assembly. In particular when it comes to speed, accuracy and precision.

The high level of customisation offered by iineo+ allows its manufacturer to refer to it as one machine with no limits. Triode is now in a position where having this equipment as a part of our production, means we never have to say “no” to any project. It is that flexible.

The SMT placement equipment iineo+ is a single elegant machine capable of almost unlimited configurations. The most important aspect of this equipment is the capability that comes with it including:

·      Component Range: 01005 to 50 x 50mm

·      With fixed camera option: 70mm x 70 mm

·      Max Component weight & height: 300g and 34mm

·      Standard feeders: 8mm to 104mm tapes

·      Standard feeders: stick, tray

·      Special feeders: bulk, label, solder bail

·      Feeder capacity: 264 positions x 8mm

·      Placement rotary turret head with 8 or 12 placement nozzles

·      Every nozzle position can place all and any component types, for real line balancing and no limitations

SMT placement makes a big difference

Often Pick and Place machines have heads that can only place a specific range of components. That is painful because you can’t effectively balance the machine. It’s not very helpful, especially when you work on a variety of projects with different requirements like Triode does.

To address this inflexibility (so common in other PNP machines) the SMT placement machine iineo+ has genuine line balancing capabilities. Imagine the machine where all heads and all nozzle positions are capable of placing the full range of components. Above all, there is no need to compromise on feeder positions or throughput speed, therefore, production can run as efficiently as is possible.

Firstly, iineo+ is fitted with linear motors and digital cameras. In addition, it utilises Europlacer’s unique and proven core features such as Integrated IntelligenceTM, intelligent feeders, smart nozzles and 3DPS. By providing 3DPS there is guaranteed closed-loop control of pick and placement forces for all components.

Importantly, iineo+ is able to produce very large boards, as it is capable of being configured to manage 1610mm x 600mm size substrates.

The SMT placement pick and place iineo+ feature a single rotary head on the X/Y gantry and contains 8 or 12 ‘Smart’ nozzles, with a maximum placement rate of 15,390 cph (IPC: 12,550 cph)

In summary, Triode invested in the best in the industry PNP equipment to ensure we can offer the following to our valued clients:

·      High Accuracy - we offer the best accuracy, CPK and repeatability.

·      High Speed up to 15,390 CPH

·      Multiple Heads

·      Flexibility with huge 264 x 8mm feeders

·      Ability to do Component Testing

·      Automation

·      Intelligent Conveyor System

·      Optimises head travel paths