Originally Posted by
ciccio
Thanks to all, to CNCzone, to Vipertx, to Scotsss, to Alexg and Mariss for help and suggestions.
Mariss, I agree with you: if I had to build a lot of SMD populated PCBs, then I'd buy a GOOD pick n place, or I will have it done by a company: it is the same as for good PCBs.
But I have to build very small runs, or prototypes, so I can:
place by hand : very very inexpensive
buy a " hand placer" : 1500 to 5000 USD
buy a old, useless pick and place : 500 to 10,000 USD
buy a " useless" new machine ( say 20.000 USD + accessories)
buy a new or recent-used machine ( more than 40.000 USD )
PLUS feeders, nozzles, and a very expensive import, plus 20%VAT, not to say about service....
I'm a one-man-business, and speed is not a problem for me, consider time to talk with customer, time to design a working circuit, to design a PCB, to find components, to build the PCB, to solder, to seelk-screen the box, to drill it , etc.: so to place a SMD component every some seconds is really not a problem: no need for speed.
Of course I'm talking about prototype or very small runs, low-tech big-SMD circuits.
Feeders: no problem, as I have to buy in any case:new machine, used machine, home-built machine.
Precision: this is the problem! This is where I need a lot of help, suggestions, pictures, and the help of people like you ( using or trying to build) is invaluable !
Paolo