Hi,

In terms of mechanical design, I don't have anything drawn yet - Just lots of ideas floating around in my head. The basic spec. for the machine is as follows, although subject to change:
  • 4-axis, cartesian, overhead gantry providing open access from all 4 sides to the machine's bed where the PCB will be held. Two opposing sides will be used for mounting component feeders.
  • 500-600mm working envelope for X and Y axes. >25mm for Z axis.
  • X & Y axes actuated with 1605 ballscrews and SY57STH76-3008B Nema 23 stepper motors with back mounted 1000 line encoders - Closed loop, hybrid stepper/BLDC microstepping algorithm.
  • Z axis cam actuated with a stepper motor (TBD) - Open loop, microstepping.
  • C axis actuated with SY28STH32-0674B Nema 11 stepper motor - Open loop, microstepping.
  • Magnetic automatic nozzle holder/changer.
  • Vacuum provided by Nitto DP 0110 air pump.
  • Component alignment to be performed optically with upward facing USB or ethernet (TBD) camera.
  • Fiducial based board alignment to be performed optically with downward facing USB or ethernet (TBD) camera mounted on end effector.
  • 150W Linear PSU, BS EN954-1 Category 2 emergency stop circuit.
  • ARM Cortex-M3 based open and closed-loop motor drivers.
  • ARM Cortex-M4 based motion controller with USB or ethernet interface (TBD) to host PC.
  • Linux-based host software, initially command-line/XML based with a GUI to be developed later, probably using QT.
  • 8, 16 and 24mm tape dispensers.
  • Vibrating tube dispensers.
Matt.