Introduction
The SMT pick and place machine is one of the most critical pieces of equipment in the SMT production line. Its operation requires a detailed, complete, and strict step-by-step process to ensure the safety of the machine and personnel, and to avoid unnecessary failures and injuries.
1. Preparation Work Before Mounting
Before starting the operation of the SMT machine, preparation work must be completed, including the following:
1.1 Prepare Relevant Product Process Documents
Before SMT mounting, select the appropriate feeders and determine the specifications and types of components based on the mounting detail list in the product process documents.
1.2 Check the Inside of the Pick and Place Machine
Before using the SMT machine, check whether there are impurities and foreign objects inside the machine to ensure the machine is clean and operating normally.
1.3 Check the Configuration Status of Feeders and Nozzles
Feeders and nozzles are core components of the SMT machine; their configuration status must be checked to ensure they are normal.
2. SMT Machine Startup Preparation Work
2.1 Check Machine Air Pressure and Rated Voltage
Before using the SMT machine, check whether the air pressure and rated voltage are normal.
2.2 Return to the Home Position
Turn on the servo, and return all axes of the machine to the home position to ensure the accuracy of the machine's operation.
2.3 Adjust the Rail Width
Adjust the width of the machine rails according to the width of the PCB, ensuring the PCB slides freely on the rails to avoid components falling and being damaged.
3. SMT Machine Online Programming
Online programming of the SMT machine is the process of manually inputting the pickup and placement programs on the machine. The specific steps are as follows:
3.1 Prepare Materials Required for Online Programming
Prepare the necessary materials, including the pick and place machine, PCB, components, process documents, etc.
3.2 Input the Pickup Program
The pickup program is completely manually compiled and input. Input the pickup program table according to the machine's specifications and the position of the components.
3.3 Record the Mounting Position
Use the teaching camera to accurately capture the mounting position of each component on the PCB, automatically calculate the center coordinates of the components, and record them in the placement program table.
3.4 Optimize the Program
Manually optimize based on the placement program table, adjusting the program to ensure the precision and accuracy of the placement.
4. Installing the SMT Machine Feeders
Install various components onto the machine's material stations according to the machine's programming program table. When installing the feeders, they must be installed according to the requirements and checked by inspection personnel. Production and trial mounting can only proceed after it is confirmed to be correct.
5. Fiducial Marks and Component Visual Images
During automatic SMT machine mounting, the placement coordinates of the components are calculated based on a certain corner (generally the lower left or lower right corner) of the PCB as the origin. Because there are certain processing errors during PCB processing, high-precision mounting requires PCB fiducial calibration. Fiducial calibration is performed by designing fiducial marks on the PCB and using the machine's optical centering system. Fiducial marks are divided into PCB fiducial marks and local fiducial marks.
Before formal SMT machine mounting, a trial mounting must be performed, and program adjustments or visual image redos should be made based on the inspection results. If errors in component specifications, direction, or polarity are found, the program should be corrected according to the process documents.
6. Continuous Mounting Production
After completing the pre-mounting preparation, online programming, feeder installation, fiducial calibration, trial mounting, and other steps, continuous mounting production can begin. During the mounting process, pay attention to the following points:
6.1 Do Not Touch the PCB Surface
When handling the PCB, do not touch the surface with your hands to prevent damaging the printed solder paste.
6.2 Pay Attention to Alarm Displays
When the SMT machine displays an alarm, immediately press the alarm off key, check the error information, and handle it.
6.3 Pay Attention to Component Specifications, Direction, and Polarity
When replenishing components, be sure to pay attention to the model, specifications, polarity, and direction of the components.
6.4 Clean the Waste Tank in Time
Always pay attention to whether the discarded materials in the waste tank are piled too high, and clean them up in time so that the waste does not exceed the mouth of the tank, preventing damage to the mounting head.
7. Inspecting the Mounted Products
After continuous mounting production, the mounted products must be inspected. First, perform a first-article self-inspection; after passing, send it for special inspection; after passing the special inspection, batch mounting can proceed. The inspection method depends on the testing equipment configuration of each unit. Multiple methods such as visual inspection, X-ray inspection, and AOI inspection can be used. During the inspection, issues such as component position, solder joint quality, misalignment, and false soldering must be checked to ensure the mounted products meet quality requirements.
Conclusion
The operation step process of the SMT pick and place machine needs to be detailed, complete, and strict. Correct operation is vital to the safety of the machine and personnel, as well as production efficiency. During operation, attention must be paid to the steps of pre-mounting preparation, online programming, feeder installation, fiducial calibration, and trial mounting, as well as safety and quality issues during continuous mounting production.
