A Pick and Place machine is the second step in a paste, place, reflow assembly operation. The “Place” function follows the “solder paste” function (stencil printer). The ‘place’ operation selects and delivers a component over the board and drops it into position. The simplest form of pick and place operation is by hand, that is, manually picking a component from a bin and, with the aid of a pair of tweezers and a magnifying glass, positioning it on the board and completing the operation with a hand-held soldering iron.
This method works well if you are only doing occasional boards. Other things to consider – the size of the components (big or small) – affect the time required to hand place and solder. Fine pitch components are another issue, where more precision and accuracy are required, and the human factor comes into play. The work then become more tedious and time consuming.
First, we will focus on machine-assisted manual systems for users interested in going from a couple boards a day to much higher production volumes. Fully automatic systems are complex enough that we’ll cover them separately.
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PRODUCTION VOLUME
Let’s start by addressing production ranges for various types of machine-assisted manual systems. For purposes of comparison, since all circuit boards vary in size and complexity, we’ll talk about volumes in terms of components per hour, or CPH. This will help you to decide what level of automation you’ll need.
On the very low side of the scale – using a manual hand system – the only expense is the appropriate hand tools for non-machine assisted manual placement. At the high end of the spectrum, these machines are often modular or customized for high speed unattended operation. Buyers in this market are likely looking more at ROI than initial cost.
Fig 1: Example of manual head and armrest for support |
Manual and semi-automatic systems
A manual pick and place system is desirable for small, growing operations that need to increase their hand-held production volumes incrementally while also improving quality, thus reducing rework or rejects; however, the accuracy of placement is still limited by the capability of the operator. Benefits of a machine-assisted manual system include:
A machine-assisted manual system can be equipped with features such as an X-Y indexing table with vacuum pickup head or pen; ergonomic fixturing to help relieve operator fatigue; and additional fixturing for θ (rotation) and Z (height) positioning in addition to X and Y.
Fig 2: Component trays and feeders |
Some machines offer an optional liquid solder paste dispenser, which is applied just before placing the component on the board if a stencil printer has not been used. Additional options include:
In most cases, machine assisted manual systems can be purchased with just the bare necessities, and desirable options can be added later as they’re needed.
Fig 3: A vision-assisted manual machine |
Semi-automatic systems
Today there are very few semiautomatic machines still being made because of the increasing affordability of some of the more automated systems on the market. They were originally introduced at a time when the leap from manual to fully automatic systems was just too cost prohibitive and were made available with some features to assist the manual operation.
More correctly referred to as “enhanced manual” systems, semi-automatic pick and place machines typically include a computer interface with a vision system that shows where the components go, but the placement itself is still done manually. This type of machine helps the operator position ultra-fine pitch components more accurately for low-volume applications, an operation that is very difficult to accomplish using a simple machine-assisted manual machine.
Ease of use
Most pick and place machines will handle a fairly wide variety of board sizes, with a work table designed to accommodate boards up to 16” x 24”. There is also ease of control over the components, which aids in accuracy, along with a simple learning curve. In most cases, no training is required.
Don’t overlook electrical requirements. Make sure the machine you buy will plug-and-play in your environment without pulling in new wiring or else plan on an adapter/transformer.
AUTOMATIC PICK AND PLACE MACHINES
We will start by talking about two aspects of machine capability – accuracy and repeatability, and Pick and Place centering methods.
ACCURACY AND REPEATABILITY
For production machines, we typically recommend looking for a machine with accuracy of +/- .001” and down to fine pitch capability of 12 mil on a repeated basis. Less expensive machines often don’t meet this spec, so that’s something to be aware of.
Most low-cost machines will also not come standard with a computer or software which could help with the repeatability aspects if not the accuracy. While some may offer enhanced technology – most do not.
PICK AND PLACE CENTERING METHODS
There are four (4) methods for pickup and placement:
1. Method 1: No centering mechanism other than relying on the component’s pick-up point for placement. In other words, the part is not physically centered after being picked up by the tool head, and if it’s picked off-center on the tool, it will be off-center when placed on the board. This is obviously not a very accurate placement method because there is no definable tolerance. You can expect to find this method used by hobbyists or instructors, but certainly not in any type of precision production environment. There are not many options available either, and long-term reliability is questionable.
Fig 4: Mechanical centering |
2. Method 2: Mechanical centering jaws or fingers In this method, the component is picked up and moved into its center position in the X and Y axes on the pick-up head. Typically, this method is easy to set up and repeatable within +/-.001” accuracy. This centering method is generally found in low- to mid-range machines.
3. Method 3: Laser centering In this method, the component is picked up inline with a laser beam which detects the component’s center position on the tool head and recalculates the zero point of the part according to its position in the X, Y axes and rotational position relative to the head for an accurate placement on the board.
Fig 5: Mechanical squaring (older version) |
4. Method 4: Vision centering Here, there are two types, Look-Down and Look-Up. Look-down vision will view the top of the component prior to picking it up for its pick-up location. It then calculate its center, compares it to its image file from the stored database, then picks up the component and transports it to its position on the board.
Fig 6: Look-up and look-down vision centering |
The Look-Up Vision method is the most accurate centering method available. The component is first picked up from the pickup area, moved to a camera station that looks at the bottom of the component, and calculates its center position.
The Pick-Up and Centering Method you choose will have a great deal of influence on the quality and speed of your production needs, along with how to relate this accuracy back to the machine. But, that’s just the beginning.
As with any complex machine, there will be tradeoffs between cost and capabilities, some of which specifically relate to production accuracy and yield. We will address next:
To review, when starting the evaluation process, there are two defining factors to keep in mind which determine what category fits your machine needs. The first principal factor is CPH (components per hour), and the secondary factor is machine capability. While it’s constructive to start by understanding how production rates affect the type and performance of a pick-and-place machine, please refer to the prior two chapters for those ranges.
Machine capability is the second defining factor in helping choose the correct auto pick and place machine for your needs. In this chapter, we will address three aspects of machine capability that have a direct impact on final board quality and production yield.
COMPONENT POSITIONING SYSTEMS
Fig 7: Component Pickup Strip |
After each component is picked up and centered in the tool by one of the methods described in the previous chapter, it must then be positioned accurately on the board, in an X-Y position. There are three methods commonly used for positioning:
Method 1: No positioning feedback loop In this system, the motor drives the part to a location on the board defined in the program by the number of steps in each X-Y axis, but there’s no way to tell if it actually ends up in the right place. These systems use stepper motors for positioning.
Method 2: Positioning with rotary encoder In this method, an encoder is mounted directly on the motor shaft and delivers position feedback to the control system; however, it only reports the motor position, and not the actual position of the x-y axis. This is dependent upon the remainder of the mechanical components that make up the machine. These machines can use stepper or servo motors. (and usually associated with cost)
Method 3: Positioning with linear encoder In this method, linear scales are mounted to the machine’s X-Y axes table and an encoder is mounted on the traveling beam that will be carrying the components. This method will report its actual position back to the control system and make corrections to the position programmed, if needed, to within a few microns of actual X & Y location for the component placement (which is typically 12,800 increments – or steps – for each inch of travel). The best machines in the this category uses servo motors.
NOTE: The quality of the encoder (the position feedback sensor), is an important element in the whole system and does affect accuracy.
Fig 8: All-welded construction |
MACHINE CONSTRUCTION
When selecting a pick-and-place machine, you should be aware that its construction will dictate its effective CPH range and footprint, including considerations for the number of component feeders it can accommodate.
1. All-welded steel: The most accurate machine will have a frame that is constructed of solid welded structural steel tube. This provides significant stability necessary for accurate positioning and high-speed movement of X & Y axes. This construction method is recommended for ANY production environments, and it will remain stable without requiring ongoing calibration.
2. Bolt-together frame: Extruded aluminum or formed sheet metal frame will come with a lower initial accuracy than a welded frame and will need to run more slowly because it can’t handle the rapid inertia shifts of X – Y axis movement. Further, it will likely go out of calibration frequently, which will adversely impact labor time, downtime and yield. (Lower cost usually reflects a weaker construction.)
SOLDER PASTE / FLUID DISPENSING
Any pick and place machine should be capable of offering fluid dispensing systems. Most common liquids include solder pastes, adhesives, lubricants, epoxies, fluxes, glue, sealants, and more. This is a valuable option when building prototypes or one-off PCB assemblies that do not warrant the cost of a dedicated printer stencil or foil.
Fig 9: Work deck with component feeders |
COMPONENT FEEDERS
If the machine’s production will be dedicated to a small number of components and type of job, it’s very easy to identify the number and type of feeders. However, that is not usually the case with contract assembly shops, since they don’t know what type of board and how many different components the next job will require. Some OEMs also need flexibility for a wide range of board configurations, especially if they intend to use the same machine for prototypes and several different production boards. So, it’s useful in those cases to consider a machine with the greatest number of feeder position and options that can accommodate the footprint your space can handle.
Types of feeders include:
Fig 10: Tape feeder |
Since components are packaged in many forms, e.g., discrete components on tape, quad packs, matrix trays, tubes, cut strips, etc., your choice of feeders would depend on your production but also on any size restrictions you may have. A good starting point is to purchase the most feeders you can get in the footprint you have available.
SOFTWARE
When considering the purchase of a Pick and Place machine, one of the most important considerations is the software interface. There are three primary goals of a good operating system for users in the low to mid-volume range, defined as up to 8,000 CPH:
Fig 11: Machine ground holding plate |
Ease of Use
Because small to mid-volume assembly operations must switch projects often, ease of setup and use is a much more important factor than it is for large volume operation where a single setup may handle a run of hundreds of thousands of components. The job-shop assembler must be agile enough to switch among a wide range of board sizes and component selections quickly to meet a variety of production demands. The machine must also be able to handle a broad range of component sizes, from very small to very large, without a strain on setup and testing.
In contrast, large production machines are often made up of several modules of pick and place systems, positioned in-line where they’re needed most for fine pitch parts, chip shooters, or optional tasks. This allows the high volume producer to customize a line to optimize production speed, efficiency and quality. In these environments, a longer setup can be tolerated, because it will be made up in production efficiency.
First, some basic questions:
Skill sets of the operator should be augmented by the machine provider with:
For machines handling over 8,000 CPH, expect a higher learning curve because complexity increases significantly.
Flexibility
An important utility to look for that gives the custom assembler great flexibility is a Universal CAD Translator function (UCT). The UCT allows users to import the pick-and-place data to the machine’s database to help create the program and scale it. When a project is begun, the user selects the program to run from an archived set of files. This permits quick change over from one board to another since all the programming is memorized.
Fig 12: Screen of Universal CAD Translator (UCT) Software Program |
| 01. Text window displays the file to be imported and its location /path. 02. Pressing button opens window to allow user to change the CAD file to be imported. 03. Displays the folder to which the converted file in the .prg format will be saved. 04. Press Browse opens window to allow user to change location in which the folder for the .prg file will be saved. 05. Default name of exported file. Can be changed by editing in this text box. 06. Import Sides. 07. Top- if selected/checked, the top side component placement will be imported. 08. Bottom- if selected/checked, the bottom side component placement will be imported. 09. Displays filename and path/location of the file after importing is completed. 10. Input File Preview Filtered (up to 50 lines). |
11. Character entered to ignore unnecessary information not required for the .prg file. 12. Enter the number of lines to be ignored from pick & place CAD during importing process. 13. Using either cComment Char or Ignor Lines displays file in preview window without comment lines. 14. Displays file in preview window in its original format (including comments). 15. Information Box. 16. Displays program lines that will be imported from the user defined selections. 17. Displays lines actually imported. 18. Displays lines not imported in .prg format. 19. Displays number of lines the UCT processed for importing the file into the .prg format. 20. Adds angle to each placement. |
Another feature to look for is a master feeder and component database. Once the operator stores component data, it’s there forever and can be accessed and imported into any new board configuration setup. This database grows as you add components, so over time, you’ll spend less time programming and more time producing. Often, the database will remember inventory, so as you use components, the remaining stock will always be available to check. This is a great feature for scheduling and inventory planning.
Be sure to see if the system you’re considering only stores data for particular boards rather than an entire component database. If so, it will only remember specific board component data, and it won’t show all available inventory.
Fig 13: Screen of offline simulation for optimization |
Optimization
Certain utilities are often provided with a well-designed machine to aid in setting up and programming the system. One of the most important utilities affecting optimized performance is offline software.
Offline software allows the user to simulate the pick and place machine’s routine in a remote environment for programming. It can be installed on any computer and looks just like the machine’s GUI. It allows the user to manipulate the program to sort functions and modify program lines for most efficient use and speed, for instance, by aggregating like-type components in the same sequence, minimizing tool changes and the time it takes to perform those functions. It can also create board references for multi-boards prior to running on the machine.
To speed job change-over, software interface should include sub-routines for common operations such as setting up matrix trays, identifying strip feeders, and teaching for vision centering. Expanding on the last point, image interpretation should be clear and straightforward; if it isn’t – and the machine has a hard time recognizing a component – the result could be a misplaced component, resulting in a lot of unnecessary rework. A well designed software interface will capture a range of image qualities for each component type that are all representative of an acceptable part, and store it as an approved file. This improves speed, repeatability and efficiency, and final board quality.
Other considerations
Just as important as the physical features of a quality pick and place machine are the “soft” features. Make sure to check on:
VENDOR SUPPORT
When evaluating any type of SMT machine, consider factory support as one of the most important assets of your purchase. The best way to learn how a company treats its customers is by word of mouth. Talk to several customers to find out how happy they are with the machine, the seller, and the support they provide. Where is the manufacturing plant? Can they help troubleshoot alignment issues over the phone? Do they offer field service? Do they have spare parts in stock for immediate shipment? While there isn’t much of a used market for manual, machine-assisted or enhanced manual pick and place machines, it’s still a good idea to ask your supplier about their older machines in the field, and if down the road, spare parts are available, and about their capability to customize a spare part if the machine becomes obsolescent. Ask what the expected life-cycle of the product is. The industry standard is seven years. Remember, there is a difference between a true manufacturer and an equipment supplier or distributor.