Robin's smt Pick and Place build

[sigicnc]

Hi, Robin!

This looks like something, I allways want to build (if I had skills like you)

Few weeks ago, I converted engraver to have some fun with placing SMD parts:



Will watch your build with great interest!

[Robin Hewitt]

Few weeks ago, I converted engraver to have some fun with placing SMD parts:

Blimey Sigi, I never thought that QFP would go down in place. Did you stencil the paste mask?

I had a bit of a software blip that slowed me down but I'm back cutting metal (and seaching for 2mm screws to hold a microswitch :whistling:).

This is the start of the Z axis and rotation. It lifts amd lowers by cam action with another NEMA17 for the rotation. Had to use a linear slide for the up down because it descends under gravity and I can't risk it sticking.

The lifting cam has to run on steel because aluminium would dent.

I sank the linear slide in to the 8mm plate so that it can't come apart now the tabs are off

AutoCAD side view to show how it goes together. Plates in cyan, linear slide in green.

Next the 3/4" pitch nut mountings and the component rotation motor plate.

[sigicnc]

Blimey Sigi, I never thought that QFP would go down in place. Did you stencil the paste mask?

.

QFP was easy, because it was positioned precisely, also PCB was positioned well by two pins. I assembled 14 boards (320 SMDs each) and QFPs went on without a glitch...
And yes, I had proffesional stainles steel stencil for paste.

WOW, nice parts you show in last post!

[HankMcSpank]

I fancy having a dabble too (I'm finding that some of the SMD parts I want/need @0.65mm pitch are just too small for this ageing hand & eyes!) - sigi, what the the pickup tool you used (& vacuum pump)...was it 'improvised' ....or did you buy? (if so have you any linkage that I can partake in?)

I'm curious how the pickup nozzle gets a good seal on the part? Also is the pickup nozzle 'sprung' to avoid stress of the component 'pickup surface' should the parts (or board) not all be completely level bed.

[sigicnc]

I fancy having a dabble too (I'm finding that some of the SMD parts I want/need @0.65mm pitch are just too small for this ageing hand & eyes!) - sigi, what the the pickup tool you used (& vacuum pump)...was it 'improvised' ....or did you buy? (if so have you any linkage that I can partake in?)

I'm curious how the pickup nozzle gets a good seal on the part? Also is the pickup nozzle 'sprung' to avoid stress of the component 'pickup surface' should the parts (or board) not all be completely level bed.

First idea was to use adapted aquarium pump - didn't work, vaccum was ok but not enough flow. Also vacuum was kinda "pulsed". For small parts OK, but big parts - big problems
So I used old refrigerator compressor and fiddled up two relays to operate as two valves: first to "let vaccum enter nozzle" and other to "devacuum nozzle" (so component can be released fast). Big mess, all together.

If I can suggest you, buy cheapest electromagnetic valve and smallest ejector, and connect this to standard compressor or source of pressurized air. Check FESTO, SMC or other manufacturers of pneumatic components for prices and options.

Pickup nozzle presses on component by it's weight only (10g maybe?); in video you can see, it moves freely up when I change nozzle.