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Low cost prototyping machines

Low cost prototyping machines

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Hi does anyone have any good experiences with low volume, lo... - Jun 14, 2005 by Rob

I'm not a Mydata user, but I know some people who have used ... - Jun 14, 2005 by cuculi54986@yahoo.com

Hi, Thanks for that, I know a bit about Mydata's but I wa... - Jun 14, 2005 by Rob

Hi Rob, I've been using Quadras for many years and I find t... - Jun 19, 2005 by Olas

Universals Advantis platform may fit your needs. They now ha... - Jun 21, 2005 by

Thanks Olas, I have some experience with these machines -... - Jun 21, 2005 by Rob

ouch! Don't hold anything back Rob. Have you looked at Ess... - Jun 21, 2005 by gregp

Hi Greg, Thanks, I have looked at Essemtec CLM9000 - they... - Jun 21, 2005 by Rob

How small is "smaller"? Philips Emerald-X with LCS is sma... - Jun 22, 2005 by

> Hi does anyone have any good experiences with low >... - Jun 23, 2005 by ajay

Hi Ajay, That does look interesting - do you have any exp... - Jun 23, 2005 by Rob

In India their no installation for this machine, I also wan... - Jun 23, 2005 by ajay

Thanks Ajay, I've just rung them up & am awaiting a quote... - Jun 23, 2005 by Rob

Approx. $220,000 + feeders. So, about the same price as a... - Jun 23, 2005 by Rob

I know we paid less than that for our Juki KE-2060 and it ca... - Jun 23, 2005 by FD

Hi, That's expensive, and perhaps the MYDATA answer is no... - Jun 23, 2005 by Grant

Hi, Sorry, should have been more specific. We're looking... - Jun 24, 2005 by Rob

Rob

#34946

Low cost prototyping machines | 14 June, 2005

Hi does anyone have any good experiences with low volume, low cost prototpying SMT machines?

My experience is mainly with high volume manufacturing so I've never really looked into this market & the manufacturers (except Quadra & Versatronic & I wasn't greatly impressed).

I'm looking for user experiences, and any helpful comments would be appreciated.

Cheers,

Rob.

reply »

cuculi54986@yahoo.com

#34951

Low cost prototyping machines | 14 June, 2005

I'm not a Mydata user, but I know some people who have used them for prototyping. They swear by them for flexibility.

I was at Mydata over by Boston a few years ago, and they had a refurbed machine there for about $50,000. If I remember correctly, it wasn't just refurbed but it was upgraded to match the capabilities of their latest machine. I thought that was pretty reasonable for a factory refurbed and warranteed machine. Like I said, I'm not a Mydata user so maybe someone out there can correct me, but it wouldn't hurt to give them a call.

reply »

Rob

#34952

Low cost prototyping machines | 14 June, 2005

Hi,

Thanks for that, I know a bit about Mydata's but I was looking for something a little smaller - it's for our design lab.

Cheers,

Rob.

reply »

Olas

#35029

Low cost prototyping machines | 19 June, 2005

Hi Rob, I've been using Quadras for many years and I find them very useful for prototyping and small batch productions. The software is very easy to use and you may import many CAD formats by an off-line software. The laser centering system is able to place 0.5 mm pitch and 0402s and a camera looking upward may place components bigger than 22 x 22mm (the limit of the laser window). Feeder magazines may be easily configured for many tape sizes and the cost is very low, so you may keep a large inventory. If you have specific questions let me know.

Regards, Olas

reply »

vickt

#35046

Low cost prototyping machines | 21 June, 2005

Universals Advantis platform may fit your needs. They now have NPI software tools that really set them apart for this kind of work. Check them out at http://www.uic.com/wcms/WCMS2.nsf/index/Products_18.html

reply »

Rob

#35048

Low cost prototyping machines | 21 June, 2005

Thanks Olas,

I have some experience with these machines - not too impressed with the feeders though, but I will take another look.

Hi VickT,

Thanks, but no thanks, the Advantis is not what I am looking for - it is neither small, nor a low cost prototyping machine - it is a mid volume machine based on the GSM (we had 6 of them at one point). As for their software, it would be fair to say it sucks & always has in comparison to the best of the others.

There are a number of low cost machines on the market that are cheaper than a typical feeder loading on the Advantis.

Cheers,

Rob.

reply »

gregp

#35053

Low cost prototyping machines | 21 June, 2005

ouch! Don't hold anything back Rob. Have you looked at Essemtec? If you are in the UK the distributor is Contax. They have several models that might fit the bill for your prototyping needs.

reply »

Rob

#35054

Low cost prototyping machines | 21 June, 2005

Hi Greg,

Thanks, I have looked at Essemtec CLM9000 - they look like the sort of thing I'm after, and to be honest I would have looked into it further but my experiences of being a Contax customer have been less than pleasing.

I've nothing personal against universal machines - I was very impressed with them in a volume environment (just not the software), it was just that the previous poster hadn't read the thread & was just pushing his machine regardless. Whereas you read it and suggested an appropriate machine (regardless of the fact you make Contact machines), which I appreciate.

Thanks,

Rob.

reply »

KEN

#35069

Low cost prototyping machines | 22 June, 2005

How small is "smaller"?

Philips Emerald-X with LCS is small to me and is a do all machine. And can be had for cheap-used.

Are you thinking table-top? Bigger than a bread-box, but smaller than a Yugo?

How about listing your capabilities requirements, including foot-print. Maybe you will get better replies.

reply »

ajay

#35106

Low cost prototyping machines | 23 June, 2005

> Hi does anyone have any good experiences with low > volume, low cost prototpying SMT machines? > > My > experience is mainly with high volume > manufacturing so I've never really looked into > this market & the manufacturers (except Quadra & > Versatronic & I wasn't greatly impressed). > > I'm > looking for user experiences, and any helpful > comments would be appreciated. > > Cheers, > > Rob.

Check at below link As per spec. it is looks very good. Practical I am not sure because so far not seen this machine

http://www.beamworks.com/spark400.html

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Rob

#35107

Low cost prototyping machines | 23 June, 2005

Hi Ajay,

That does look interesting - do you have any experience with it?

if so:

What does it cost? How much do the feeders cost? What is the placement accuracy? How well does it handle fine pitch QFPS/QFN's (I've never been a fan of dispensing paste for these) Are there any in the UK for demo?

Cheers,

Rob.

reply »

ajay

#35108

Low cost prototyping machines | 23 June, 2005

In India their no installation for this machine, I also want to see this machine. Specifications looks very good. Last week only while searhing on net I got info for this machine. check with supplier. ajay

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Rob

#35110

Low cost prototyping machines | 23 June, 2005

Thanks Ajay,

I've just rung them up & am awaiting a quote - I'll let you know.

Cheers,

Rob.

reply »

Rob

#35112

Low cost prototyping machines | 23 June, 2005

Approx. $220,000 + feeders.

So, about the same price as an I-Pulse/Yamaha/Assemblion low range machine + a Pyramax98 + a small printer.

Nice idea though!

Cheers,

Rob.

reply »

#35135

Low cost prototyping machines | 23 June, 2005

I know we paid less than that for our Juki KE-2060 and it can run the whole gambit of components...0201, QFN, microBGA...

What kind of footprint are you looking for on your "small" machine and what capabilities are you looking for? What kind of price-point are you expecting?

reply »

Grant

#35149

Low cost prototyping machines | 23 June, 2005

Hi,

That's expensive, and perhaps the MYDATA answer is not that far off if you get one of the TP9 models, which can be picked up for $40K or so. They use the modern feeders, and place only 1 component at a time, so will do ok on prototypes. As it's common it's easer to get feeders.

That might be the best choice, and any of the more common brands that have entry level models that also use the same feeders means you can get a low cost machine, but then get feeders cheaper because there are a lot on the market. A lower cost prototype machine that's got exotic feeders might end up costing a lot more in the end.

Regards,

Grant

reply »

Rob

#35152

Low cost prototyping machines | 24 June, 2005

Hi,

Sorry, should have been more specific. We're looking for one of those benchtop/very small footprint machines to go with a support rail hand printer & benchtop reflow for our design lab to use for low volume prototypes. Something you can plug into the mains, won't get used too much and that a monkey could look after. Space isn't really that much of an issue, just simplicity.

Granted, if it was totally down to me I'd take up more space & put a secondhand TP/MY 18 along side an AP27 & BTU we have kicking around, but then it would require more support and probably be beyond the team it's going to.

Cheers,

Rob.

reply »