-
- News
- Books
Featured Books
- smt007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current IssueEconomic Headwinds
This issue takes stock of the current economic outlook and how companies are using current conditions to move themselves through technological evolutions, workforce shifts, and financial changes. Even with these headwinds, there’s forward progress to be made.
Attracting New Talent
To get different results in staffing, you must change how you define, promote and recruit your job opportunities. How do you become magnetic to high-quality early-career candidates?
Test and Inspection
Test and inspection methods are undergoing rapid change. In this issue, we consider the influence of AOI, AI, and human eyes. How exactly are these pieces of the puzzle changing the role of test and inspection?
- Articles
- Columns
Search Console
- Links
- Events
||| MENU - smt007 Magazine
How to Select an Automatic Pick-and-Place Machine
April 15, 2015 | Robert Voigt, DDM NovastarEstimated reading time: 2 minutes

This is the third in a series of articles designed to help buyers analyze and select SMT equipment for PCB assembly, and examines automatic pick-and-place machines, the most complex component in a circuit assembly operation. Because of this complexity, the next few columns will address different functions in this process.
Automatic pick-and-place machines are much more common than manual or semiautomatic machines, but they also have the greatest range of capabilities and cost. This column will focus on features and capabilities and include some cautions regarding reliability of low-cost machines, including:
• Production volume ranges (CPH)
• Accuracy and repeatability specs
• Pick-up and centering methods
In future columns, I will address size, machine accuracy, encoders, feeders and mechanical positioning methods.
When starting your evaluation process, there are two defining factors to keep in mind, which determine what category fits your machine needs. The No. 1 principal factor is components per hour (CPH), and the secondary factor is machine capability.
Production Volume
As in the previous column, it’s constructive to start by addressing production ranges for various types of machines, since this is the No. 1 factor in your evaluation process. For purposes of comparison, since all circuit boards vary in size and complexity, we talk about volumes in terms of components per hour, or CPH. The following table offers a general guideline of machine categories defined by their CPH.
Machine Capabilities
This is the second defining factor in helping choose the correct auto pick-and-place machine for your needs. Here, we will only be talking about two aspects of machine capability: accuracy and repeatability, and pick-and-place centering methods.
Accuracy and Repeatability
For production machines, we typically recommend looking for a machine with accuracy of +/- .0001” and down to fine pitch capability of 12 mil on a repeated basis. Less expensive machines often don’t meet this spec. Most low-cost machines will also not come standard with a computer or software which could help with the repeatability aspects if not the accuracy. While some may offer enhanced technology, most do not.
Pick-and-place Centering Methods
There are four methods for pick-up and placement:
1. No centering mechanism
2. Mechanical (jaws)
3. Laser centering
4. Vision centering
Method 1: No centering mechanism other than relying on the component’s pick-up point for placement. In other words, the part is not physically centered after being picked up by the tool head, and if it’s picked off-center on the tool, it will be off-center when placed on the board. Obviously, this is not a very accurate placement method because there is no definable tolerance. You can expect to find this method used by hobbyists or instructors, but certainly not in any type of precision production environment. There are not many options available either, and long-term reliability is questionable.
• Pros: Low cost
• Cons: Low accuracy, repeatability and long-term reliability, no options, or spare parts
• Size range: No definable tolerances
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the March issue of SMT Magazine.
Suggested Items
Nordson Electronics Solutions Releases the New ASYMTEK Select Coat SL-1040 Conformal Coating System
11/30/2023 | BUSINESS WIRENordson Electronics Solutions, a global leader in electronics manufacturing technologies, is pleased to announce the release of the new ASYMTEK Select Coat® SL-1040 conformal coating system.
Inovaxe Named Distributor for VisiConsult’s X-ray Counter in the U.S.
11/29/2023 | InovaxeInovaxe, a world leader and provider of innovative material handling and inventory control systems, proudly announces its role as a distributor for VisiConsult’s innovative X-ray Counter solutions in the United States.
Würth Elektronik Launches Research Project HyPerStripes
11/27/2023 | Wurth ElektronikHyPerStripes project partners will create a technology platform including manufacturing techniques for roll-to-roll (R2R) processing as well as the integration of electronic components onto very long ("endless"), flexible and stretchable printed circuit boards.
Xailient, Hualai Technology Join Forces to Transform the Future of Smart Cameras
11/22/2023 | PRNewswireHualai Technology Co., Ltd, and Xailient Inc. today announced a strategic partnership to provide the smart home and security market with privacy-safe, manageable, low-cost smart cameras.
It’s Only Common Sense: The Face of Your Company—Customer Service
11/20/2023 | Dan Beaulieu -- Column: It's Only Common SenseNo matter how you look at it, everything is about customer service—great customer service. If you think about your own experiences, you’ll realize it’s about how those you are dealing with or buying from— whether it’s a car, your internet service provider, or your landscaper—it’s all about how they make you feel. You can have the greatest product in the world, but if you don’t deliver a great customer experience, it won’t matter.