Need suggestion on Manual / Semi-automatic SMT Assembly system

[Ichan]

Hi,

I am seeking for very low volume SMT assembly system consisting of stencil printer, pick & place, and reflow oven. Target component placement is < 1000 CPH, while the price for "ready to work" system should not go above $10000.

Essemtech (Switzerland) is the most popular but far above $20000 for a complete system with accesories and tools.
http://www.essemtec.com/product.aspx/SMT-Turnkey-Solutions/Manual-prototyping-line/?ArtNr=Miniflex+Line

APS Novastar (USA) is good, somewhat below $20000
http://www.apsgold.com/turnkey-smt-systems (bottom).

DIMA SMT (Netherland) - No idea.
http://www.dimasmt.com/cmpage/TurnkeySolutions.asp?id=20

Mechatronic Systems (Germany) - No idea.
http://www.mechatronic-systems.com/index.html

Fritsch (Germany) - No idea, looks like no benchtop oven.
http://www.fritsch-smt.de/en/products/

SMT Assembly (Somewhere?) - No idea.
http://www.assembly-smt.com/

TORCH (China) - No idea.
http://www.torch.cc/en/product.html

Still can not find any source from Taiwan and Korea.

Any suggestion much appreciated, TIA.

-ichan

[PilotPTK]

10 Grand for all three?  I couldn't even reccomend a good single piece for 10 grand.

Highly suggest you investigate used equipment brokers.  You might be able to get a MyData MY-9 pretty reasonably.

The MY-9 is an excellent piece of gear.  Fast?  Not really.  But it puts components on boards without any drama.


Keep in mind also that even thought you don't need speed, you will always wish you had more feeder spaces.  You'll also hate yourself if you can't place tray components (BGA,QFP, etc).  Even a simple design can easily have 50 or 100 different components/values on it.  Feeder space and feeders themselves are not cheap.

[Ichan]

Hi, thank you for the suggestion, i follow the link for MY-9, found that is it in different class with what i am looking for.

I am looking for a simple manual (or sometimes they said semi automatic) pick and place machine, such as:

APS Novastar MPP-21


Essemtech Expert


Fritsch LM-901


Torch TP-39


I just got price list from APS, here part of it for anyone interrested.

Code:

MODEL DESCRIPTION US LIST PRICE
MPP-10 Standard Manual Pick & Place System $3,000.00
MPP-11 Standard Manual Pick & Place System with Dispenser $3,600.00
MPP-20 Deluxe Manual Pick & Place System $3,900.00
MPP-21 Deluxe Manual Pick & Place System with Dispenser $4,500.00
MPP-VC Vision system for FPP/MPP $3,500.00
MPP-ST Stand for MPP-20 and MPP-21 $750.00
MPP-FR Feeder Rack for MPP-10/11 and MPP-20/21 $750.00
PTF-8 8mm Tape Feeder for MPP-10/11 and MPP-20/21 $290.00
PTF-12 12mm Tape Feeder for MPP-10/11 and MPP-20/21 $290.00
PTF-16 16mm Tape Feeder for MPP-10/11 and MPP-20/21 $290.00
PTF-24 24mm Tape Feeder for MPP-10/11 and MPP-20/21 $290.00
MPP-BH Extra Board Holder for MPP Series $125.00
MPP-TR Comp. Storage Tray (includes 4 2"x2" & 16 1"x1" Bins) $195.00
MPP-NK Spare Needle Kit $40.00
MPP-DA Dispenser Assembly $55.00

10K is all i have now, with APS MPP-21 i can buy the P&P machine only as the accessories will make another thousands $, but this is one of the option.

I will try to get the prices from Torch, it must be much cheaper but have no idea about the quality.

-ichan

[solutions]

At $500 for 10 boards, double sided, stuffed and soldered, ~100 components, you're spending 20 proto designs (200 boards!) worth of money for assembly.  With that you're wasting YOUR time assembling versus doing other things - if your time is worthless, then go for it.  And you're still not scalable if you accidentally build something you need a s@#tload of boards built for after these proto builds, whereas the P&P is already programmed at an assembly shop to build another dozen or another 5,000 boards.

You sure you want to do this vs these guys' R&D service?

http://www.aapcb.com/Services.asp?pgid=7

Manual surface mount assembly is a P.I.T.A.

[Ichan]

It is not me will do the assy, i will teach someone to operate it and then pay him for the assy work.

The labour cost here is about $130 per-month, six days per-week eight hours per-day. Hourly = 130/4/6/8 = $0.68.

At 400 CPH rate, a board with 100 components will have labour cost = $0.68 * 100/400 = $0.17.

Unbelievable? It is real.

-ichan