[NLRS] One off circuit bord assembler

[tosca005 at umn.edu]

On Jul 29 2014, Doug Reed wrote:

>
>
>Sounds like a nice idea. I didn't see any of the pictures.

Doug: go to http://delta.firepick.org/ and you can find lots of pictures 
and lots of details about the machine.

>I didn't
>read anything about how they were going to load the parts into the
>pick-n-place machine. Half the fun with a real PNP is the dozens of
>component reals you have installed on the machine to grab parts from.
>If you are only making 10 of something, you will probably not buy a
>4000 count reel of each part. So you will probably be working with
>loose parts or short cut-offs from a parts reel. Do you put your 10K
>resistor on a plate and the PNP vision finds it, picks it up and
>places it? It'll work, slowly, with almost as much labor as doing it
>by hand, but hopefully with better placement accuracy. .

The web page shows how they can load a number of reels of parts (for the 
high-volume components) but I assume that they will or have made provisions 
for short cut tapes for small numbers of components.

>
>Since I didn't keep reading the articles, maybe they've got a way
>around the parts presentation issues. And what about the solder paste
>masking? Another messy job.... Maybe you can 3D print with the solder
>paste?

Yes, the machine can hold four interchangeable tools at a time, with which 
you can apply solder paste, and solder down the component that you placed 
with the vacuum placement tool. They plan a number of vacuum parts holders 
to accomodat4 numerous sizes of components. I assume that with the limit of 
four active tools at a time, you might place/paste/solder a bunch of 
components of one size at a time, then progress to a different size by 
swapping out the placement tool(s).

>
>But if they make it all work, it should be a heck of a tool for the
>advance hobbyist or small company. Since it is also a 3D printer, can
>they tweak it some more to route the PCBs? But routed PCBs are a real
>PITA to work with if you have a lot of vias in the board.... Of course
>if you make the decision to route the PCB rather than use a quick-turn
>house, you made the decision to accept the via problems.... Can't
>really call it a defect if you made an informed decision....
>

Sounds like they have plans for a light-duty milling/routing attachment 
tool that could make routed PCBs, plastic extruders for 3D printing of 
insulating material, and a number of other tools.

>I did find it interesting that 3D printing is "mainstream" enough that
>they have machines and supplies down at MicroCenter.
>
>73, Doug Reed, N0NAS.

Yes, very very interesting, I must say. Thanks to the OP for mentioning it!

73 de W0JT, John