How delta robotics optimize and streamline electronics manufacturing processes
For both kinds of PCB component attachment, machine vision complementing a delta robot can check the component variation and orientation before installation on the board. For high throughput, the robotic pick-and- place head may be designed to process several components at a time. A robotic end effector may also apply solder paste,
and yet another may apply heat to electrically connect the installed components. Otherwise, components may be attached by a wave-soldering technique … though machines for this are expensive and best suited to very high-volume manufacturing. Even costlier is how components too large for insertion machines are often manually assembled onto
semiconductor boards. Solder may also need to be manually applied in difficult-to-reach locations between components. For the latter, delta robots can replace manual operations to place larger components and solder between components. Delta robots can also be far less costly and far easier to configure than cartesian-type pick-and-place machines. After all, the latter are large and heavy — similar to CNC machine tools. Cartesian systems are difficult to move, and after being moved can require costly and time-consuming recalibration. In contrast, delta robots are small and light enough to relocate fairly frequently. After setup in the new location, they simply run a simple self-calibration routine and then resume operation.
Figure 6: Some delta robots maneuver through five axes to orient objects of all types. The IRB 365 shown here can sort, feed, pick, reorient, and place 1-kg products at 120 picks per minute — satisfying the requirements of production facilities needing high throughput and efficiency. Commanded by a compact delta-robot controller called the OmniCore, the system offers performance motion control, digital connectivity, and more than a thousand programmed functions. (Image source: ABB)
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