SMT mainstream pick-and-place machine performance showdown: Which one is the ace equipment on the production line?
Jan 04, 2026
- 4. YAMAHA: This brand, after acquiring Hitachi and Sony's placement machine businesses, is known as the king of medium-speed machines. Its main models include YV/YVG/YS/YSM series. The YSM series placement machines perform particularly well in the market, occupying a certain market share in the medium-speed multi-functional placement machine market due to its moderate accuracy and balanced speed. It is widely used in the production processes of various small and medium-sized electronic manufacturing enterprises.
- 5. Hanwha Precision Machinery: Founded in 1977 in South Korea, it belongs to the Hanwha Group and is one of the earliest companies in South Korea to develop placement machines. The products include SMT placement machines, semiconductor equipment, automation systems, machine tools, industrial equipment, and software solutions. They also offer smart factory solutions aimed at providing uninterrupted, zero-defect, and unattended manufacturing solutions. Their various models of placement machines can meet the production needs of different scenarios, and they have a high market share in South Korea and parts of Asia.
- 6. JUKI: This brand's sewing machine products are widely used in the production of leather bags, shoes, furniture, and car seats, but it also has achievements in the electronics industry. Focusing on surface mount equipment, printing machines, and inspection machines for electronic substrate production, the JX series mainly places LEDs, while the RX/FX/KE/FS series are multi-functional machines. However, its high-speed machine's placement speed and accuracy still lag behind Panasonic and Fuji. They sell related products in approximately 180 countries and regions worldwide, but their market share in the placement machine market is currently relatively small.
- 7. Kulicke & Soffa: Founded in 1956 in the United States, it is one of the earliest listed companies on NASDAQ. It focuses on providing leading semiconductor packaging and electronic assembly solutions for the global automotive, consumer electronics, communications, computer, and industrial sectors. Products include advanced packaging, electronic assembly, and wedge bonders. Through strategic acquisitions and independent research and development, it continuously expands its product range to provide customers with comprehensive packaging solutions.
- 8. CAPCON (Huafeng Technology): Founded in 2014 in Hong Kong, Capcon is a high-end equipment manufacturer focusing on advanced packaging equipment. It produces a series of products such as flip-chip placement machines, wafer-level placement machines, POP packaging machines, stacked die placement machines, and panel-level placement machines, possessing a complete high-end packaging equipment product line, providing technical support and equipment supply for high-end manufacturing fields such as semiconductor packaging.
- 9. FAROAD: A high-tech enterprise from Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China, specializing in the research, development, and manufacturing of high-precision electronic circuit board assembly equipment and semiconductor equipment. It is a pioneer in high-end intelligent pick-and-place machines in China, having obtained over 100 patents and successfully broken through several core technologies in pick-and-place machines. Its SMT pick-and-place and SIP packaging equipment, IGPT wafer packaging equipment, high-precision assembly and bonding machines, pick-and-place machines for the lighting and display industries, reflow soldering equipment, and related peripheral equipment have attracted market attention.
- 10. Yitong Automation: Founded in 2011, it is a high-tech enterprise focusing on the research, development, production, sales, and service of high-speed SMT pick-and-place machines and SMT peripheral automation equipment. It has independently developed over 100 patents. As a leading SMT pick-and-place machine company in China, its products are widely used in lighting, display screens, electronics, power supplies, home appliances, new energy, and other industries, and are exported to many countries and regions.
- 11. Siemens: Siemens offers numerous pick-and-place machine models, categorized into S, F, H, D, X, E, SX, XS, TX, and other series. The S series, such as S20, S23, S25, and S27, are suitable for medium-volume production and are equipped with unique SIPLACEX gears, high-speed motors, and intelligent placement control systems. The H series includes HS50, HS60, and HF; the HS60 is a new modular pick-and-place machine that combines ultra-high speed, ultra-precision, and flexibility. The E series, such as CP6/PP, CP12, CP12/PP, CP14, and TH, represents high quality from Germany, achieving different placement speeds and supporting high-precision placement of various components. The X series includes models such as X2, X3, X4, and X4i, offering higher throughput, higher precision, and greater flexibility. The SX series, such as SX1 and SX2, are the world's first pick-and-place machines with fully cantilevered modular design. The XS series, including X2S, X3S, X4S, and X4iS, are champions in production efficiency. The TX series, including TX1, TX2, and TX2i, is positioned for the rapidly growing high-density application market, achieving high performance in a small footprint, with placement accuracy up to 25µm/3σ and a speed of 78,000 cph.
II. Comparison of Performance Parameters of Mainstream Pick-and-Place Machines
2. Placement Accuracy
3. Component Placement Types
III. Analysis of Placement Speed and Accuracy of Different Brands of Placement Machines
2. Fuji
3. Yamaha
4. Siemens
IV. Evaluation of the Stability and Reliability of Mainstream SMT Machines
I. Mainstream SMT Placement Machine Brands and Models
In the SMT industry, there are numerous well-known placement machine brands. Below are some mainstream brands and some of their typical models:
- 1. ASMPT: A brand with a wide influence in the field of electronic manufacturing equipment. Its business covers various aspects such as wafer deposition, laser grooving, precision electronic and optical component shaping, assembly, and packaging equipment, dedicated to providing equipment solutions for electronic, mobile communication, computing technology, automotive, industrial, and LED end-users.
- 2. Panasonic: As a traditional Japanese powerhouse, its models include CM402/CM602/NPM - D1/D2/D3/NPM - W1/W2 series. The CM series includes multi-functional and high-speed machines, while the NPM is a modular high-speed machine. The NPM series competes with Fuji NXT and Siemens TX series. Panasonic placement machines are highly recognized in the industry for their precise manufacturing process and excellent performance. Their products are widely used in many fields of electronic manufacturing, such as consumer electronics and automotive electronics.
- 3. FUJI Machine: Its flagship NXT series placement machines have accumulated approximately 100,000 units shipped worldwide, distributed in more than 60 countries and regions. The NXT series is its famous representative product, mainly a modular machine, suitable for small-batch, multi-batch production. It features simple line change and maintenance, and offers good placement speed and accuracy. Many domestic small appliance manufacturers choose the NXT series as their high-speed machine for SMT operations. CP, XP, and XPF are also some of its more common series models.
- 4. YAMAHA: This brand, after acquiring Hitachi and Sony's placement machine businesses, is known as the king of medium-speed machines. Its main models include YV/YVG/YS/YSM series. The YSM series placement machines perform particularly well in the market, occupying a certain market share in the medium-speed multi-functional placement machine market due to its moderate accuracy and balanced speed. It is widely used in the production processes of various small and medium-sized electronic manufacturing enterprises.
- 5. Hanwha Precision Machinery: Founded in 1977 in South Korea, it belongs to the Hanwha Group and is one of the earliest companies in South Korea to develop placement machines. The products include SMT placement machines, semiconductor equipment, automation systems, machine tools, industrial equipment, and software solutions. They also offer smart factory solutions aimed at providing uninterrupted, zero-defect, and unattended manufacturing solutions. Their various models of placement machines can meet the production needs of different scenarios, and they have a high market share in South Korea and parts of Asia.
- 6. JUKI: This brand's sewing machine products are widely used in the production of leather bags, shoes, furniture, and car seats, but it also has achievements in the electronics industry. Focusing on surface mount equipment, printing machines, and inspection machines for electronic substrate production, the JX series mainly places LEDs, while the RX/FX/KE/FS series are multi-functional machines. However, its high-speed machine's placement speed and accuracy still lag behind Panasonic and Fuji. They sell related products in approximately 180 countries and regions worldwide, but their market share in the placement machine market is currently relatively small.
- 7. Kulicke & Soffa: Founded in 1956 in the United States, it is one of the earliest listed companies on NASDAQ. It focuses on providing leading semiconductor packaging and electronic assembly solutions for the global automotive, consumer electronics, communications, computer, and industrial sectors. Products include advanced packaging, electronic assembly, and wedge bonders. Through strategic acquisitions and independent research and development, it continuously expands its product range to provide customers with comprehensive packaging solutions.
- 8. CAPCON (Huafeng Technology): Founded in 2014 in Hong Kong, Capcon is a high-end equipment manufacturer focusing on advanced packaging equipment. It produces a series of products such as flip-chip placement machines, wafer-level placement machines, POP packaging machines, stacked die placement machines, and panel-level placement machines, possessing a complete high-end packaging equipment product line, providing technical support and equipment supply for high-end manufacturing fields such as semiconductor packaging.
- 9. FAROAD: A high-tech enterprise from Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China, specializing in the research, development, and manufacturing of high-precision electronic circuit board assembly equipment and semiconductor equipment. It is a pioneer in high-end intelligent pick-and-place machines in China, having obtained over 100 patents and successfully broken through several core technologies in pick-and-place machines. Its SMT pick-and-place and SIP packaging equipment, IGPT wafer packaging equipment, high-precision assembly and bonding machines, pick-and-place machines for the lighting and display industries, reflow soldering equipment, and related peripheral equipment have attracted market attention.
- 10. Yitong Automation: Founded in 2011, it is a high-tech enterprise focusing on the research, development, production, sales, and service of high-speed SMT pick-and-place machines and SMT peripheral automation equipment. It has independently developed over 100 patents. As a leading SMT pick-and-place machine company in China, its products are widely used in lighting, display screens, electronics, power supplies, home appliances, new energy, and other industries, and are exported to many countries and regions.
- 11. Siemens: Siemens offers numerous pick-and-place machine models, categorized into S, F, H, D, X, E, SX, XS, TX, and other series. The S series, such as S20, S23, S25, and S27, are suitable for medium-volume production and are equipped with unique SIPLACEX gears, high-speed motors, and intelligent placement control systems. The H series includes HS50, HS60, and HF; the HS60 is a new modular pick-and-place machine that combines ultra-high speed, ultra-precision, and flexibility. The E series, such as CP6/PP, CP12, CP12/PP, CP14, and TH, represents high quality from Germany, achieving different placement speeds and supporting high-precision placement of various components. The X series includes models such as X2, X3, X4, and X4i, offering higher throughput, higher precision, and greater flexibility. The SX series, such as SX1 and SX2, are the world's first pick-and-place machines with fully cantilevered modular design. The XS series, including X2S, X3S, X4S, and X4iS, are champions in production efficiency. The TX series, including TX1, TX2, and TX2i, is positioned for the rapidly growing high-density application market, achieving high performance in a small footprint, with placement accuracy up to 25µm/3σ and a speed of 78,000 cph.
II. Comparison of Performance Parameters of Mainstream Pick-and-Place Machines
1 Placement Speed
- High-speed pick-and-place machines: Typically have a placement speed of over 25,000 CPH (chips per hour). For example, some high-speed models from Panasonic and the Fuji NXT series can achieve high placement speeds. High-speed pick-and-place machines are suitable for placing a large number of components with low precision requirements, such as resistors and capacitors. Their main characteristic is high production efficiency, enabling rapid placement, which is a significant advantage in large-scale production. However, their speed is also affected by factors such as component type and PCB layout. For example, when placing some specially shaped or larger components, the speed may decrease. Furthermore, while achieving high speed, high-speed pick-and-place machines may sacrifice some precision or flexibility. - Medium-speed pick-and-place machines: Placement speed is between 10,000 and 25,000 CPH. Like the Yamaha YSM series, these pick-and-place machines are suitable for placing components with medium precision requirements, such as crystal oscillators and diodes. Medium-speed pick-and-place machines achieve a good balance between speed and precision, and are widely used in the production of various electronic products requiring a certain degree of precision, such as circuit boards with medium precision requirements, like those used in the production of simple function control circuit boards. - Low-speed pick-and-place machines: With a placement speed below 10,000 CPH, low-speed pick-and-place machines are primarily advantageous for their high precision and flexibility, suitable for placing high-precision or specially required components. For example, in the manufacturing of some precision sensors, low-speed pick-and-place machines may be necessary. Although slower, they guarantee higher placement accuracy.
2. Placement Accuracy
- High-precision pick-and-place machines: Placement accuracy can reach up to 0.001mm. For some high-end electronic products such as smartphone motherboards and high-precision military equipment circuit boards, high-precision pick-and-place machines are essential to meet production requirements. High-precision pick-and-place machines achieve precise placement through various high-precision positioning technologies, precise motion control systems, and advanced vision inspection systems. For example, some high-end Siemens pick-and-place machines, with their precise mechanical structure and advanced algorithm control system, perform exceptionally well in placement accuracy control. However, high-precision pick-and-place machines are relatively expensive, and their maintenance is also more difficult and costly. - Medium-precision pick-and-place machines: Generally, the accuracy is between 0.03 and 0.06mm, which can meet the production needs of most consumer electronics and ordinary industrial control circuit boards. Several factors affect the actual accuracy of medium-precision pick-and-place machines, including the accuracy of the machine's structure and moving parts, the size and shape of the components, the working environment of the pick-and-place machine (such as temperature and humidity), and the design and placement method of the placement head. - Ordinary precision pick-and-place machines: The accuracy is relatively low, possibly around 0.1mm. This type of pick-and-place machine is suitable for the production of simple electronic products that do not require high precision, such as some simple electronic toy circuit boards. However, with the current trend of electronic products towards miniaturization and high performance, the market share of ordinary precision pick-and-place machines is gradually decreasing.
3. Component Placement Types
- Multifunctional pick-and-place machines: These can place Chip, Melf, QFP, PLCC, BGA, CSP, FC, Connectors, and irregularly shaped components, as well as irregularly shaped components such as connectors with a length of more than 150mm. For example, JUKI's RX/FX/KE/FS series multi-functional machines can adapt to the placement needs of various types of components, making them suitable for companies that produce a wide variety of products. They eliminate the need for frequent equipment changes when dealing with different projects, offering good versatility. However, they may have some limitations in terms of placement speed and accuracy compared to dedicated placement machines. - Dedicated placement machines: These are specifically designed for the placement of particular types of components. For example, some placement machines may be optimized for BGA components. These machines can achieve extremely high speed and accuracy when placing specific components, but may be unsuitable or perform poorly when handling other types of components.
III. Analysis of Placement Speed and Accuracy of Different Brands of Placement Machines
1. Panasonic
- Placement Speed: Taking its NPM series as an example, it belongs to the modular high-speed machine category. It is very fast in placing conventional chip components and can achieve efficient placement on high-density circuit boards. For example, in scenarios where a large number of small components need to be placed, such as on mobile phone motherboards, it can maintain high work efficiency and achieve high CPH (Components Per Hour) values. - Placement Accuracy: Panasonic placement machines have good placement accuracy. For small and medium-sized components (such as components in the 0201 - 18mm QFP range), they can achieve high-precision placement. In the CP series models, through optimized placement head design and advanced vision systems, a smaller error range can be achieved, generally controlling the accuracy to within ±0.05mm, which can meet the manufacturing requirements of most consumer electronics and high-end industrial equipment.
2. Fuji
- Placement Speed: The Fuji NXT series, as its main model, performs outstandingly in terms of placement speed, especially suitable for small-batch, multi-batch production modes. Its modular design allows for rapid recovery to high-speed placement after line changes. The modules can work in parallel; when one module is performing operations such as component picking, other modules can maintain placement work, which effectively improves overall production efficiency. This is very suitable for companies that need to frequently switch product lines. - Placement Accuracy: The NXT series pick-and-place machines have high accuracy because they utilize a high-precision positioning system and a stable mechanical structure. The placement accuracy for small components like 0201 and some medium-sized IC components can reach approximately ±0.03 - 0.05mm, ensuring quality while maintaining production speed.
3. Yamaha
- Placement Speed: Yamaha's YSM series is known as the king of medium-speed machines and is highly competitive in the medium-speed pick-and-place machine category. It offers a balanced placement speed for components requiring moderate precision. While not operating at the high speeds of high-speed pick-and-place machines, it can efficiently place various medium-speed priority components such as crystal oscillators and diodes within a stable speed range. - Placement Accuracy: The YSM series pick-and-place machines have moderate accuracy, with a placement accuracy of approximately ±0.06 - 0.08mm for components requiring moderate precision. This is suitable for large-scale product manufacturing where absolute precision is not critical, such as the production of consumer electronics modules that require a certain level of precision but not the highest possible accuracy.
4. Siemens
- Placement Speed: For example, the TX series is positioned for the rapidly growing high-density application market. This model achieves high-speed placement within a small footprint, reaching a speed of 78,000 cph, and can place the smallest next-generation components (0201 metric = 0.2mm x 0.1mm) at full speed. Different series offer various speed options to meet different production scenarios, with a complete product line from low-speed to high-speed. - Placement Accuracy: Some high-end models, such as the TX series, can achieve 25µm/3σ accuracy, placing them at the forefront of the industry in high-precision placement. The accuracy of their pick-and-place machines benefits not only from the precise mechanical components but also from their precise electrical control system and advanced algorithmic compensation mechanism, which can correct minute errors by continuously adjusting the movement of the placement head. 5. JUKI
- Placement Speed: JUKI's high-speed machines have slightly lower placement speeds compared to Panasonic and Fuji, but they have certain advantages in medium-speed and multi-functional general-purpose machines. For example, the JX series has its own speed advantages when placing LEDs, but overall, its speed is slightly inferior in high-volume, rapid placement scenarios. - Placement Accuracy: JUKI's high-speed machines also fail to reach the accuracy levels of Panasonic and Fuji. However, its multi-functional machines can meet the production needs of some ordinary industrial control boards and consumer electronics products, with an accuracy generally around ±0.1mm. However, larger errors may occur when placing components with very small pitches or high-precision requirements, making them less suitable for the production of high-end products with extremely strict accuracy requirements.
IV. Evaluation of the Stability and Reliability of Mainstream SMT Machines
1. Hardware Structure and Stability
- Mechanical Structure: A good mechanical structure is the foundation for the stable operation of an SMT machine. Taking Siemens SMT machines as an example, they use precise frame processing and high-quality metal materials, and through reasonable structural design, they can effectively reduce mechanical vibration. For example, in its X-series products, the special gantry structure allows the SMT machine to maintain good rigidity during high-speed movement, reducing deformation and thus improving stability. - Drive System: A high-precision, high-response drive system is crucial for the stability of an SMT machine. Panasonic SMT machines use an advanced servo motor drive system. This drive system can precisely control the movement trajectory of the placement head and has a fast response speed, maintaining stability during frequent starts, stops, and speed changes, avoiding overshooting or lagging. - Detection Sensors: Detection sensors are the "eyes" of the SMT machine, playing a role in monitoring and feedback. Fuji SMT machines...
2. Software System and Stability
3. Operating Environment and Stability
4. Reliability-related indicator assessment
1. Production Efficiency and Adaptability
2. Accuracy Assurance
3. Long-term manifestation of stability and reliability
The machine uses high-precision optical sensors to detect the position of components. These sensors have high resolution and accuracy, enabling precise determination of component positions and providing reliable data for accurate placement by the pick-and-place head. If the sensor malfunctions or its accuracy decreases, it will directly affect the stability and placement accuracy of the pick-and-place machine.
2. Software System and Stability
- Control System: An advanced control system can achieve more precise motion control, thereby improving placement quality and stability. Modern pick-and-place machines mostly use computer control systems. For example, some ASMPT models use advanced software algorithms to control each motion axis of the pick-and-place machine in real time. By precisely calculating parameters such as the motion path, speed, and acceleration of the pick-and-place head, the system's stability is ensured during high-speed placement. The control system is also responsible for coordinating the work of various subsystems, such as the feeding system and the picking system. - Placement Program Optimization: A reasonable placement program is another key factor in improving equipment stability. Yamaha pick-and-place machines provide placement program optimization functions in their software, rationally arranging the order of feeders and component picking. This reduces the movement distance and working time of the pick-and-place head, thereby reducing mechanical wear and failure probability, and improving overall operational stability.
3. Operating Environment and Stability
- Temperature: Temperature changes can affect the performance of the pick-and-place machine's mechanical parts and electronic components. For example, circuit boards and metal structures will expand and contract with significant temperature changes, affecting accuracy. If the ambient temperature is not effectively controlled, some high-speed pick-and-place machines will automatically reduce their speed to ensure placement accuracy, or may even malfunction. Therefore, many factories install pick-and-place machines in constant-temperature workshops to maintain a relatively constant working environment temperature. - Humidity: High humidity can easily lead to moisture and rust in electrical components, while low humidity can generate static electricity. Both situations can negatively affect the pick-and-place machine. For pick-and-place machines with numerous components and high electronic integration, without effective humidity control, dust may accumulate on components, affecting equipment stability and placement accuracy, and in severe cases, damaging electrical components. - Cleanliness: A clean working environment reduces the impact of dust and impurities on the equipment. During the operation of the pick-and-place machine, if dust enters the machine, it may adhere to critical parts such as guide rails and the placement head, affecting the smoothness of moving parts and reducing placement accuracy. It can also enter electrical components, leading to short circuits or affecting heat dissipation. Therefore, regular cleaning of cleanroom equipment and improving the air filtration level in the workshop are necessary.
4. Reliability-related indicator assessment
- Failure rate: This is an important indicator for measuring the reliability of pick-and-place machines. By collecting long-term failure data of different brands of pick-and-place machines in production environments, it has been found that some brands, such as Panasonic and Siemens, have relatively low failure rates during their normal production life cycle due to mature technology and strict quality control. For example, according to data feedback from some manufacturing companies, the average annual number of failures for some mainstream Panasonic pick-and-place machine models is kept at a low level, generally 2-3 times (calculated based on 8-10 hours of continuous work per day), ensuring production continuity. - Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF): The longer the MTBF, the higher the equipment reliability. For pick-and-place machines from brands like Fuji and Yamaha, by tracking the operating data of a certain number of devices, the MTBF of some mid-to-high-end models can reach several thousand hours. Some models in the Yamaha YSM series can reach an MTBF of 3000-4000 hours (calculated under normal industrial environment and regular maintenance conditions), reflecting the equipment's ability to operate stably for a long time. - Maintenance costs and ease of maintenance: Maintenance costs include the cost of replacing parts after equipment failure, labor costs of maintenance personnel, etc. Some brands, due to their good modular design, such as the Fuji NXT series, allow for quick removal and replacement of modules when a module fails, reducing repair time, and the parts prices are relatively reasonable, allowing overall maintenance costs to be kept within a low range. In terms of ease of maintenance, pick-and-place machines with a good design layout, such as some Siemens models, have easy-to-use control panels, and the internal structure of the equipment is convenient for maintenance personnel to inspect and repair, facilitating daily cleaning, debugging, and maintenance.
V. Comprehensive Performance of Mainstream SMT Pick-and-Place Machines
V. Comprehensive Performance of Mainstream SMT Pick-and-Place Machines
1. Production Efficiency and Adaptability
- High-speed pick-and-place machines dominate: In large-scale production scenarios, mainstream high-speed pick-and-place machines from manufacturers like Panasonic, Fuji, and Siemens can quickly complete the placement of a large number of simple components (such as resistors and capacitors), thus playing a crucial "high-efficiency output" role in the entire SMT production line. For example, in large mobile phone manufacturing plants, facing the production demand of hundreds of thousands of mobile phone motherboards every day, high-speed pick-and-place machines can quickly and accurately place resistors and capacitors onto the circuit boards. Their placement speed can reach tens of thousands of components per hour, greatly improving production efficiency. Moreover, these brands of pick-and-place machines can adapt to various sizes of circuit boards, from small smart bracelet circuit boards to larger TV set-top box circuit boards; and they can flexibly adjust the placement path and mode for circuit boards with different layouts. - The complement of multi-functional pick-and-place machines: Multi-functional pick-and-place machines can compensate for the shortcomings of high-speed pick-and-place machines in handling irregularly shaped components or components with special packaging. Multi-functional models from JUKI and Yamaha can place various components such as QFP, BGA, and connectors, making them very suitable for companies with complex product lines that include multiple types of components. For example, a company that produces computer motherboards, in addition to conventional surface-mount components, also needs to place BGA-packaged chips on the motherboard. A multi-functional pick-and-place machine can achieve the placement of all components on the entire motherboard without the need to introduce special equipment for BGA chips, improving the overall production adaptability.
2. Accuracy Assurance
- High-precision advantages of high-end models: For the production of high-end electronic devices, such as smartphone circuit boards, high-end computer graphics card circuit boards, and some high-precision electronic products in the military industry, some high-end models from Siemens and Panasonic, with placement accuracy of less than ±0.03mm or even higher, can accurately and precisely place chips and other precision components in the designated positions, ensuring the final performance and stability of these products. This high precision is achieved through the pick-and-place machine's high-precision positioning system, precise mechanical motion components, and advanced vision inspection system. For example, when mounting components near a mobile phone camera module, any slight deviation can affect the camera's operation or image quality. High-end pick-and-place machines can prevent this from happening. - Mid-to-low-end machines meet general needs: In the mass production of mid-to-low-end consumer electronics products, such as ordinary electronic toys and low-cost feature phones, pick-and-place machines with medium precision (approximately ±0.06 - 0.1mm) are sufficient to guarantee product quality. Although the precision requirements for these products are not as strict as those for high-end electronic products, they still need to be manufactured within a reasonable precision range. Mid-to-low-end models from mainstream brands can meet this demand while controlling costs. Moreover, medium-precision pick-and-place machines have a relatively simple structure, resulting in lower equipment and maintenance costs, thus meeting the needs of large-scale, low-cost production of mid-to-low-end products in the market.
3. Long-term manifestation of stability and reliability
- Stability in long-term operation: Mainstream pick-and-place machine brands, under normal production environments and with proper installation, debugging, and daily maintenance, can operate stably for extended periods. For example, the Fuji NXT series pick-and-place machine, when operated according to the official recommended operating procedures and maintenance specifications, can maintain stable placement accuracy and speed even after continuous use for 10-12 hours a day for several months or even years. This stability is due to its high-quality mechanical structure, mature electrical control system, and scientific product design philosophy. Stable operation helps manufacturing companies reduce production stoppages caused by equipment failures, ensure on-time delivery of orders, and maintain good corporate production efficiency. - Production assurance brought by reliability: Highly reliable pick-and-place machines will not easily malfunction when faced with complex production environments and high-intensity production tasks. Taking Siemens pick-and-place machines as an example, in environments with extremely high demands on production continuity, such as automotive electronics manufacturing companies, their long-term high-load operation reliability is outstanding. This highly reliable quality stems from strict raw material selection, high-precision processing technology, multiple testing procedures, and strict quality system certification. This reliability not only guarantees the production quality of automotive electronic products but also ensures the stable operation of the entire automotive production supply chain, preventing serious problems such as interruptions in the supply of automotive components due to pick-and-place machine failures. 4. Performance under the Trends of Automation and Intelligence
- Automated Operating Procedures Enhance Efficiency: With the development of automation technology, the feeding, placement, and inspection processes of mainstream SMT machines can all be automated. For example, Panasonic SMT machines feature an automated material change process. When the components on the reel are about to run out, the equipment can automatically send a prompt and quickly replace the reel without stopping the machine. This reduces manual intervention and improves production continuity. The automated placement process can accurately place components onto the circuit board one by one according to a preset program, greatly improving work efficiency, and can be automatically adjusted to adapt to different types and sizes of circuit boards. - Intelligent Production Optimization: Some advanced SMT machines already possess certain intelligent functions. For example, some machines can automatically optimize the placement program based on product characteristics. By analyzing the component distribution on different types of circuit boards, they can intelligently adjust the movement trajectory and speed of the placement head, thereby reducing placement time while ensuring accuracy. Furthermore, intelligent equipment can monitor its own operating status in real time and provide data feedback to managers. Operators can remotely monitor the SMT machine's operating parameters, production progress, and fault alarms, predict potential faults in advance, and perform preventive maintenance, further improving the overall efficiency of the production line and the service life of the equipment.