Humm I disagree ... I've wanted a machine like this for 10 years, and=20
have spent $3K getting something ancient (early 90s) via ebay that was=20
way too much time to update (total rewrite of firmware and software=20
required), and spent $2K on ballscrews and optical encoders and linear=20
rail for a from-scratch something better I paper designed, also=20
abandoned for lack of time.  (I should have known better than to even=20
consider it, but I was determined.)

If the pick area can hold 70+ tapes / small trays of loose parts and a=20
8x10" pcb, I'm sold.  Having a way to make a few to 10s of pcbs with=20
hundreds of parts on demand is a game changer, not only for protos but=20
for initial tiny production for clients.  10 day turnaround with $300+=20
NRE is the only sensible option and that often sets the schedule.  For=20
me to be able to put several pcbs on the table and say go and have them=20
placed even several hours later is game changer.  I'm happy to manually=20
change nozzles or load new tapes of 10Ks or 1uFs, no problem, I'll be 10=20
feet away at the computer working anyway.

But I'll wait until others build and discuss...

Tx russell for the post!
J

Mike Harrison wrote:
> On Sun, 8 Feb 2015 20:28:11 +1300, you wrote:
>
>> This appears close to awesome.
>> Just getting to market now - first production run available shortly AFAI=
CS.
>>
>> "Proper" pick and place with optical recognition of components,
>> orientation, component "bins"*, fiducials, board dimensions etc.
>
> It's not a "proper" P&P without proper feeders.
> It's no quicker than manual placing, plus you have the setup time.
>
> Very limited usefulness IMO
>
--=20
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