SMT Pick and Place mechanical gripper

[BretMan]

Hello,

I'm having a difficult time locating a source of mechanical grippers for pick and place SMT machines. Pneumatically activated, lateral grip, mini grippers which would connect to or be a part of a Luer type tip would be preferred.

Another option, as a backup plan, would be a mini robot arm with a mini gripper - but I suspect this would be a lot slower.

Please let me know if you know of any good resources for these types of grippers.

Many thanks.

Bret

Miami,FL USA

 

[MacGyverS2000]

SMT parts usually use a vacuum tip, not grippers... avoids bending leads. And particular reason you want a gripper?

Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

 

[BretMan]

Yes, that's right that they almost all use a vacuum suction cup type tip. The same vacuum and release energy can drive a mechanical gripper attachment. My application for these grippers, two pronged opposite of each other, will be for pickup and placement of small bent rods with a horizontal orientation.

Bret

Miami,FL USA

 

[IRstuff]

I think you overestimate the vacuum capacity of those P&P's. Manipulating grippers AND holding something by friction is substantially harder than just picking something by be straight vacuum

TTFN
faq731-376

 

[BretMan]

That's a very good point and a worthy obstacle to overcome. The solution could be a matter of changing the vacuum pump to a more powerful one or a lever action in the gripper - if it has to be custom made. Even an electromagnetic mechanism could be configured.

I guess I'll keep hunting or just make one myself. Thanks for your help.

Bret

Miami,FL USA

 

[IRstuff]

There's a risk of damaging the part, should it somehow get cocked relative to the grippers

TTFN
faq731-376

 

[BretMan]

In my case there aren't any obstructions to the sides for the gripper claws to bump when they open.

Another option is to forgo the grippers and use a bracket pre-loaded with the oriented rods. Then use the usual suction tip to lift the bracket, place it, and with a downward press activate a release in the bracket. Then the bracket is lifted away leaving the rods in their proper place. The bracket is then placed into a bin to be used again. It then goes to pick up another pre-loaded bracket and so on.

This kind of releasing bracket is used with pick and place robots. Have you heard of it for SMT machines?

Bret

Miami,FL USA

 

[IRstuff]

I was actually thinking more about the pickup process; if the sides of the object are slippery and object is relatively flat, then there may be some chance that the object would slide upward on one side, but not the other.

Your second option seems awfully complicated. Why not design a shaped vacuum wand that conforms to your object's shape? If these "rods" have tolerably smooth surfaces, then a concave tip might be able to pick them up.

TTFN
faq731-376

 

[MacGyverS2000]

Replaceable brackets would only be used on large/unwieldy parts due to the extra steps necessary to use them (installation, collection, reuse, etc.).

Instead of beating around the bush and guessing games, why don't you just tell us the problem you're trying to solve...

Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

 

[BretMan]

The custom vacuum tip sounds like a very good idea. The rods are smooth yet rounded, so I can see a vacuum seal would be hard to attain but if the suction is continual, the tip might hold them long enough until they are placed. Do you know of a company or someone that specializes in making custom tips?

No bush beating ... I did describe what I need to do. More specifically, there are 4 to 6 rods (about 10mm long and .0066 dia.), each with one or two right angles bent into them, which will all lay horizontally and each have a specific orientation. I need the pick and place machine to lift them and place them precisely onto a plastic receiving part. The plastic part may include some channels with slight lead-ins to receive the rods. It's a simple pick and place operation but it needs to be precise.

Bret

Miami,FL USA

 

[BretMan]

Another detail ... all the rods need to be picked up (pre-oriented) and placed, at the same time.

Bret

Miami,FL USA

 

[IRstuff]

I would look at a custom pick with 6 hollows for the rods So long as the hollows conform well with the shape of the rods, it should be not that different than picking up a flat object.

TTFN
faq731-376

 

[BretMan]

That sounds promising and would simplifies the process. Do you know of any manufacturers of these type of tips? My guess is I'd want them to be made of some soft and conforming material - maybe silicone?

Bret

Miami,FL USA