SMT assembly and pick-and-place equipment are at the heart of the electronics manufacturing process. At Restronics Northern California, the sales team has comprehensive experience with pick-and-place devices. As components become smaller, new technology may be required, and as volumes rise, older gear may need to be retired or updated for greater productivity. As firms re-shore PCB manufacturing, there’s a great demand for increased speed and functionalities. Throughout the country, supply chain problems and the desire for improved control over delivery time and cost are generating a demand for higher performance of SMT pick and place equipment.

The need for new product introduction (NPI) technology is growing, and it should be simple to operate and adaptable, as well as dispense paste or adhesive, and also place components. Doing this, users can manufacture small numbers of circuit boards without having to wait for stencils to emerge and then making modifications, then waiting again for new, modified stencils to arrive. Although these systems may not be the fastest, they can give great adaptability for extremely low volume and high mix applications. Moreover, many of these tools can pick and place components including odd-shaped parts and connectors that unreachable to the majority of high-speed SMT machines.

The most recent iteration of SMT P&P equipment includes interchangeable pick and place heads for high speed and large component placement, electric component verification, and dual lanes of operation for ultra-high speed applications. Some machines place components at rates of up to 90,000 CPH (components per hour). Actual CPH speeds can be calculated off-line to give the precise speed and time for manufacturing certain PCBs. Line balancing and off-line programming are often common elements of pick and place machinery to improve feeder set up and decrease turnaround time. Most tasks are arranged on feeder trolleys that can be moved into place before the job begins. This minimizes feeder setup and turnaround time.

Restronics Northern California's expert personnel can help you in all facets of picking and placing SMT gear.