For companies that have a small to medium production series of many different kinds of PCBs, a flexible pick & place machine is a must. Together with rapid changeover times, the capability to handle almost every available component is vitally important. The Hybrid pick & place machine already handles components ranging from as small as 0402 up to 42 x 42 mm. Even 16 mm high components and 0.4 mm fine pitch components can be handled without a problem.
By introducing a special feeder and pick up tool, the Hybrid pick & place is now capable of accurately handling 0201 components. Handling the 0201 component presents a number of new issues to a pick & place machine. The smaller dimension and lower mass of a 0201-device compared to even its 0402-cousin holds the key to the likely increase in defect rates. Because the nozzle is almost the same size as the component, there is a higher probability of mis-picking the component from the paper tape.
Moreover, the components can also move significantly, relative to their size, on the tape, unless the tolerance between the pocket dimensions and part dimensions are tightened. In addition, electrostatic effects resulting from separating the cover foil from the paper tape have a greater tendency to displace the lightweight components before they can be picked. Finally, since the smaller component dimensions allow closer spacing on the PCB, placement resolution must be almost twice as high for 0201s as for 0402s.
DIMA has succeeded in overcoming all these points of contention with the Hybrid pick & place machine. A new feeder uses the same body as a standard 8 mm feeder but with much improved and more accurate index steps. Compared to the standard 8 mm feeder, the new feeder uses 6 times more micro steps with a step repeatability of 30 micron. Furthermore, a special pick up tool has been developed to accurately pick up and place the 0201 components, allowing interspacing of 150 micron. Integration of this new feeder and tool will be possible not only on a new Hybrid pick & place machine; all Hybrid pick & place machines belonging to DIMA´s existing customers may be upgraded.
EPP EUROPE 425
Share:
