What Is A Pick and Place Machine?

Introduction

In the field of electronics manufacturing, particularly in Surface Mount Technology (SMT), the pick and place machine is an indispensable core piece of equipment. Whether it’s smartphones, automotive electronics, or industrial control devices, nearly all modern electronic products rely on pick and place machines. So, what exactly is a SMT machine? How does it work? And how should one choose the right pick-and-place machine? This article will provide answers to these questions.

I. Basic Definition of a Pick and Place Machine

A pick and place machine is positioned after the dispenser or screen printer in the PCB assembly line. It is an automated device used to quickly and accurately pick up and place surface mount devices (SMDs) onto the designated positions on a PCB. It is the most critical component in an PCB assembly line, directly impacting production efficiency, placement accuracy, and product yield.

II. How does a SMT machine work?

The working process of a SMT machine can be divided into the following main steps.

• Feeding system feeding: Components are fed to the pickup position via a SMT feeder.
• SMT Nozzle pickup: A vacuum nozzle picks up components from the tape or tray.
• Image recognition positioning: High-precision cameras perform optical inspection on the components to ensure their orientation and position are correct.
• Precise placement: Components are placed on the designated pads on the PCB.
• Preparation for reflow oven: After all components are placed, the process proceeds to the next reflow soldering step.

The pick and place machine’s operation is highly automated, capable of completing hundreds of component placement tasks in just a few seconds.

III. What are the different types of SMT machines?

Based on different classification criteria, SMT machines can be categorized into various types.

1. By placement speed

They can be divided into high-speed, medium-speed, and low-speed SMT machines.

• High-speed SMT machines: Typically operating at speeds above 25,000 CPH (chips per hour), these are suitable for placing large quantities of components with low precision requirements, such as resistors and capacitors, and are favored by the market for their high production efficiency and stability.
• Medium-speed SMT machines: Operating at speeds between 10,000 CPH and 25,000 CPH, these machines are suitable for placing components with moderate precision requirements, such as oscillators and diodes. They strike a balance between speed and precision and are widely used in the manufacturing of various electronic products.
• Low-speed SMT machines: Speed below 10,000 CPH, suitable for placing high-precision components such as ICs, with precision and flexibility as its main advantages, suitable for the production of high-precision products.

2. Classification by structural form

Can be divided into Rail-Mounted SMT machines, Table-Type SMT machines, and Gantry-Type SMT machines.

• Rail-Mounted SMT machines: These use a linear track structure, with the pick-and-place head moving along the X and Y axes on the track to place components. They have a simple structure and lower cost, but are slightly inferior in terms of speed and precision compared to other types of pick-and-place machines.
• Table-Type SMT machines: These use a platform structure, with the pick-and-place head and PCB remaining stationary, relying on the platform’s X and Y-axis movements to achieve placement. They offer high speed and precision but have relatively higher costs and maintenance difficulties.
• Gantry-Type SMT machine: Uses a bridge structure, with the placement head moving along the X and Y axes of the bridge to place components. It excels in speed, precision, and stability, but has higher costs and maintenance complexity, making it more suitable for high-end products and large-scale production.

3. Classification by automation level

SMT placement machines are divided into manual and automatic types.

Manual SMT placement machines: Generally used for small-scale production scenarios such as product prototyping and research, with operations relatively dependent on manual labor.

Automatic SMT placement machines: Capable of high-speed, high-precision component placement, they are the most critical and complex equipment in the entire SMT production process and are the most commonly used type in large-scale electronic assembly production today.

IV. Key Performance Indicators of Placement Machines

When selecting an appropriate placement machine, the following core parameters should be considered.

V. What is the SMT process?

In a complete SMT manufacturing line, the SMT pick and place machine plays a critical role as the link between upstream and downstream processes.

1. Upstream: Solder paste printer printing → 2. Midstream: Component placement by the SMT machine → 3. Downstream: Reflow soldering machine for curing → SMT AOI machine inspection → Final product testing

The performance of the surface mount pick and place machine directly determines the output efficiency and product quality of the entire PCB production line. Especially in the current trend of smart manufacturing and flexible production, SMT machines must not only be fast, accurate, and stable but also equipped with intelligent functions such as data connectivity, remote monitoring, and AI optimization.

VI. When to use an SMT machine?

1. Electronics manufacturing industry

In the manufacturing process of PCBs in the electronics manufacturing industry, electronic components need to be surface-mounted to achieve more complex circuit functions. SMT machines can help accelerate this process, improving production efficiency and quality.

2. Automotive electronics

SMT machines can help manufacture various automotive electronic devices, such as in-car navigation systems, audio playback systems, and various intelligent driving assistance systems.

3. Medical devices

SMT machines play a crucial role in medical device manufacturing, as the quality and operational safety of medical equipment directly depend on the quality of the manufacturing process.

4. Aerospace

Aircraft, satellites, rockets, and other devices must operate reliably in extreme environments while maintaining optimal performance. This requires the use of high-quality electronic components. SMT machines help produce high-quality circuit boards, ensuring the overall reliability and performance of the equipment.

VII. How do I choose a SMT machine?

1. Placement requirements: Select a PCB pick and place machine suitable for your production based on specific placement requirements, such as component size, placement speed, and placement accuracy. If high placement quality is required, choose a machine with higher precision.

2. Budget: When selecting a pick and place machine based on budget, consider factors such as equipment cost, maintenance expenses, and energy consumption. Generally, machines with better performance tend to be more expensive.

3. Brand and model: When selecting a PCB pick and place machine, consider the brand and model, and understand the performance, features, advantages, and disadvantages of different brands and models to choose the most suitable equipment.

4. Technical support and after-sales service: After selecting a PCB pick and place machine, consider the technical support and after-sales service for the equipment. Choosing a brand and model with good after-sales service ensures timely support and solutions during use.

Conclusion

As a core piece of equipment in an SMT line, the importance of a pick and place machine cannot be overstated. Whether you are an experienced SMT veteran or a new engineer just starting out, understanding the basic principles, classification, and selection criteria of PCB pick and place machines will help you better master the core technologies of electronic manufacturing.

If you are planning or upgrading an SMD production line, please contact us to obtain professional pick and place machine solutions and customized services to support your smart manufacturing transformation journey!

Company Profile

Zhejiang NeoDen Technology Co., Ltd. has been manufacturing and exporting various small pick and place machines since 2010. Taking advantage of our own rich experienced R&D, well trained production, NeoDen wins great reputation from the world wide customers. 

In our global Ecosystem, we collaborate with our best partners to deliver a more closing sales service, high professional and efficient technical support.

We believe that great people and partners make NeoDen a great company and that our commitment to Innovation, Diversity and Sustainability ensures that SMT automation is accessible to every hobbyist everywhere.