Main Equipment in an SMT Line
A surface mount technology production line has different elements working to assemble electronic components to PCB boards. These elements or machines ensure the high efficiency and effectiveness of SMT lines in our factory. Here is a list of equipment used in our SMT production line:
- Stencil Printer: The stencil printer is used for the application of solder paste on the PCB board. The stencil has openings according to the solder pads on PCB boards, and solder paste is applied through these openings.
- Pick-and-Place Machine: This machine gets electronic components from trays, reels, or tubes and properly places them on solder paste on board. Currently, used pick-and-place machines are highly automated and have the ability to handle different component types and sizes.
- Reflow Oven: A reflow oven is used for component soldering on boards. The board with components and solder paste faces the controlled heating process in a reflow oven, where the solder paste melts to make reliable solder joints.
- Conveyor System: Through the conveyor, boards move through every step of the SMT line from the stencil printer to the pick-and-place machine and reflow over. It provides a continuous production flow.
- Solder Paste Inspection (SPI): SPI is used for the inspection of solder paste deposition quality on board before component configuration. It helps to find problems like ineffective solder paste and misalignment and increases overall solder joint quality.
- Component Placement Inspection (AOI/AXI): Automated Optical Inspection (AOI) and Automated X-ray Inspection (AXI) systems inspect the component’s configuration when they are connected on board. AOI techniques use cameras to inspect the errors, and in AXI, X-rays are used for the inspection of hidden joints, like in BGA.
- Reflow Profiling Equipment: Reflow profiling instruments check and make sure that the reflow oven is following the accurate temperature values that are important for accurate solder joint creation without affecting sensitive components.
- Conformal Coating or Underfill Dispensing (Optional): Some SMT lines come with the station to apply a conformal coating or underfill to protect components and increase their reliability in harsh environments.
- Quality Control Stations: At these stations, there can be functional testing, manual inspections, and different measurements to make sure that the assembled boards fulfil quality and performance standards.
- Traceability System: The data of the board is recorded by the traceability system; this information includes soldering features, component placement, inspection outcomes, and other parameters. It is helpful to find and solve different problems if they exist and offer a record of the manufacturing process of SMT line.
- PCB Handling and Storage: Accurate handling and storage parameters are important to avoid contamination, static discharge, and damage during assembly.
- Workstations and Operator Stations: These features offer operators space to load components onto feeders, monitor the assembly process, and solve issues if they exist.
- Data Management and Programming: Software systems control the programming of reflow ovens, pick-and-place machines, and inspection instruments. With that, they maintain production data and help with process improvement.
- Material Management: In this process, there is the management of components such as reels, tubes, trays, and other packaging materials to ensure a steady supply for manufacturing.Apart from offering machinery the complete SMT line, we take pride in offering the best SMT service and support for our costumers on SMT line machinery and other SMT equipment.
