Quoting John Day : > At 12:01 PM 8/12/2008, Spehro Pefhany wrote: >> Quoting "Alan B. Pearce" : >> >> >> I would love to have a small SMD PNP and soldering setup at home. >> >> Browsing the net I find (only) the Maddell PX3000 (and PX3700 etc). ( >> >> http://www.ntscope.com/m2-2.html ) >> >> >> >> Anyone got any first-hand experience with these machines (or similar >> >> ones)? >> > >> > They do look like one could knock one up in the back yard ... >> > >> > The basic frame is made of aluminium extrusion that we have >> around here for >> > building tables, shelves, and other similar storage structures >> that need to >> > be rigid. >> >> Feeding the SMT parts might be difficult, as well as registration between >> the placement head and the PCBs. For fine parts I think they use cameras >> and fiducial marks. > > Yes, it is all done with cameras and fiducials. Although many of the > simple machines are manually taught and then follow the dotted line. > > I haven't used the Maddell pick and place machines, but if their > infrared ovens and stuff are any indication I would be staying well > away from them. > > John What's your experience with them? They look like low-end Chinese-made stuff, so I'd expect some rough edges but functionality. How did they disappoint? Best regards, Spehro Pefhany -- "it's the network..." "The Journey is the reward" s...@interlog.com Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com Embedded software/hardware/analog Info for designers: http://www.speff.com -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist