low-end pick and place machines

[Jon Elson]

There is a Celmacs SMT-8700 Pick and Place machine on eBay right now.
I can't find much info on this particular model, and think it might
be too old to do what I need. But, it got me thinking about
getting a used machine. I do very low volume manufacturing,
but it is picking up to the point that I'm getting a backlog.

Dos anyone have comments on smaller P&P machines that are available
surplus? I think 3600 components/hr would be sufficient for me.
I use mostly 1206 to 0603 passives, and SO-8, SO-14 and 16
chips, plus some TQFP chips with lead spacing down to .5 mm
I might be able to manually place the hi-density parts if the
machine can't do them.

Thanks in advance for any comments.

Jon

 

[LPEL98]

There is a Celmacs SMT-8700 Pick and Place machine on eBay right now.
I can't find much info on this particular model, and think it might
be too old to do what I need. But, it got me thinking about
getting a used machine. I do very low volume manufacturing,
but it is picking up to the point that I'm getting a backlog.

Dos anyone have comments on smaller P&P machines that are available
surplus? I think 3600 components/hr would be sufficient for me.
I use mostly 1206 to 0603 passives, and SO-8, SO-14 and 16
chips, plus some TQFP chips with lead spacing down to .5 mm
I might be able to manually place the hi-density parts if the
machine can't do them.

Thanks in advance for any comments.

Jon

I have one. I don't believe that machine will place anything smaller
than 1206, IIRC. I am looking at getting a newer machine, as support
and replacement parts are no longer available for them. Honestly,
depending on what you're looking to spend, I would suggest biding your
time and snagging a newer (5 years old or less) machine where you can
buy parts, get it serviced if need be, and where you know you can just
plug it in and go, or call someone if it doesn't work. I've seen P&P
machines go for less than $2k and these were modern machines that can
place small parts and where you can still get warranty, etc. If you
are specifically interested in a Celmacs 8700 let me know - ours is
going to be for sale as soon as we get our new machine in.