How SCARA, six-axis, and cartesian pick-and-place robotics optimize and streamline electronics manufacturing processes
or installed to complement SCARAs in a workcell, delta robots in semiconductor manufacture provide exceptionally quick and dynamic picking and packing capabilities. Read more about these applications in the digikey. com How Delta Robotics Optimize and Streamline Electronics Manufacturing Processes article on delta robots in the semiconductor industry. In fact, the kinematics of deltas impart accuracy and repeatability for suitability in the assembly of photovoltaic electronics. Robotics rely on end effectors for productivity Advanced cleanroom-rated robotic end-of-arm tooling (EoAT or end effectors ) such as grippers are core to semiconductor production. Here, EOATs must have high dynamics and the ability to execute tracing, placing, and assembling with exacting precision. In some cases, EoAT force feedback or machine vision boosts parts-handling accuracy by imparting adaptive capabilities — so pick-and-place routines are quickly executed even if there’s some variability in workpiece positions, for example. Such sensor and feedback advancements can sometimes render the complicated electronics-handling fixtures of legacy solutions unnecessary.
Figure 3: Shown here is the automated soldering of chip components onto a PCB. (Image source: Dreamstime)
format electronic products. On the other hand, collaborative robots (cobots) are used to bridge highly protected cleanroom zones to sections of cleanrooms that can be traversed by plant personnel. Cobots are also seeing increased use in soldering and other tasks once the near-exclusive domain of manual operations. Though beyond the scope of this article, the parallel-kinematics design known as delta robots is also seeing increased adoption — especially for electronic products assembly. Whether operating alone, ganged in pairs,
Summary of where each robotic type excels Though application overlaps abound, six-axis robots are most strongly associated with electronic device assembly. SCARAs maneuver electronic components through 360° to execute pick-and-place wafer handling and processing tasks faster and often more precisely than other options. Cartesian robots in contrast are often associated with semiconductor testing and packaging tasks as well as the processing of large-
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