PicDude wrote: > I'm getting close to pulling the trigger on an automated > pick-and-place > system for my own internal use, but the machines would spend most of > their > life sitting quietly, so I'm thinking it would be nice to offset some > of the > cost by assembling boards for others. I don't want to become an > assembly > house, so it would be for low-volume board assembly, with the customer > providing their own stencil, and perhaps their own centroid data as > well. > This would simplify things for me, and reduce cost for the customers. > > But is there really a market for this? I don't think so. I've never had to create my own stencil, and would have to do some research about where to go, what options to ask for, etc. It's not something I want to get into, especially since I worry that there are probably various types or formats of stencils and I don't want to end up with something incompatible with your equipment. Then I'd have to ship the stencil to you and hope it doesn't get damaged in the process. I'd rather pay the assembler to do it since they know what they need and then the whole thing is their responsibility. Doing my own stencil wouln't reduce my cost, it would increase it. If you're running a production line, you have access to lower cost labor than I can afford to keep around. As for the centroid data, that's not as bad for most parts. I can (already largely have) a Eagle script that dumps this out. For rectangular or otherwise symmetrical parts there is no doubt where you think the centroid is, but for unnusually shaped parts I'd be nervous. All in all I don't think your model makes sense. You are only looking at it from your own point of view. You need to think how this looks from a potential customer's point of view. Maybe you can find a local assembly place that knows how to do the whole process and handle some overflow for them occasionally. Then there is the problem of competing with people all around the world that do the same thing and more. Can you beat Djula's prices in Serbia, or charge less than someone in Viet Nam? I seriously doubt it. But from my point of view Serbia and Florida are nearly equally accessible, both being on the other end of the internet and both requiring shipping in a box. If you're not within a 1 hour drive, then it doesn't matter if your 75 miles or 7,500 miles away. It's a global economy. When you're selling something anyone can do, you're competing with a lot of anyones in far corners of the world that can live well for a whole day off a fraction of your hourly rate. ******************************************************************** Embed Inc, Littleton Massachusetts, http://www.embedinc.com/products (978) 742-9014. Gold level PIC consultants since 2000. -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist