The innovations that come with advancements in technology could go a long way to introduce new concepts in the manufacturing industry. This is already evident in the invention of the pick and place machines.
Today, these machines are used to facilitate the production of different kinds of things, including Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs).
In this article, we will talk about the relevance of the pick and place assembly machines in the PCB sector, the major suppliers of these machines in Spain, as well as some of the benefits of using the pick and place machines.
What is Pick and Place Machines Used for?
First things first – let us understand what pick and place machines are all about. This way, you will find it easier to understand the reason for the use of these machines in the production of Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs).
Pick and Place Machines are robotic machines that are used to place the Surface Mount Devices (SMDs) onto the Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs).
Pick and place machines are also known by many other names, such as Pick and Place Robots and Surface Mount Technology Component Placement Systems.
The Relevance of Pick and Place Machines in the PCB Market
There are many reasons why the manufacturers of Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) use pick and place machines.
Here are some of those reasons:
1. Automation
This is the most common reason why PCB manufacturers choose to go for the pick and place machines. The process of designing and manufacturing circuit boards can be tasking most of the time.
This could also mean that the PCB manufacturer would have to employ more circuit board professionals to facilitate the PCB production process.
However, investing in a pick and place machine goes a long way to reduce the workload. The machine is fast and could go a long way to reduce the errors or defects in the circuit board production phase.
2. Pick and Place Machines Could Save Costs
Getting one pick and place machine could help a PCB manufacturer drastically cut down on costs.
This is because the machine could do the work of two or more PCB experts at once, thereby, saving the manufacturer some money.
3. Machine Learning (MIL)
One of the biggest relevance of using pick and place machines in the PCB manufacturing phases is because of the Machine Learning (ML) capabilities.
This is because the pick and place machines could “learn” more about the PCB production process.
With the combination of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the pick and place machine can be modeled to “learn” and “remember” a particular sequence in the PCB production phase.
Over time, the machines would be able to replicate the same in subsequent PCB tasks.
Where to Get Pick and Place Assembly Machines
You now know the relevance or importance of pick and place assembly machines in the Printed Circuit Board (PCB) production process.
The next step is to find the best manufacturers or suppliers of these machines. It will interest you to know that you can get some of the best pick and place machines in Spain.
Yes, there are several Spanish pick and place machine manufacturers that you would like to patronize.
Here are seven (7) of the leading pick and place machine manufacturers in Spain:
1. Surtel
Surtel or Surtel Electronica is the first pick and place assembly machine supplier on our list. The company has numerous years of experience and extensive experience in the production of pick and place assembly machines.
We have made series of background checks on the company and found out that it has a lot to offer, as far as the DIY SMT pick and place machines are concerned.
Huge Facilities
Surtel has the facilities to accommodate the different solutions the company has to offer to the PCB market.
The facilities measure 6,000 square meters, giving the manufacturer enough room to go about the business of manufacturing and distributing pick and place robots.
The other aspect of the huge facilities is the insertion rate of the 500,000 components per hour. With this, you can be confident that the pick and place PCB assembly equipment you are getting from this manufacturer would be worth the money.
High Technology
Innovation is at the core of all that Surtel has to offer. Surtel Electronica is committed to the continuous improvement of the pick and place assembly equipment production. This is part of the company’s efforts at ensuring that the PCB factories buying those machines get value for their money.
Besides, Surtel Electronica doesn’t cut down on quality. Instead, the company prioritizes the use of its high technology and continuous innovation and best practices to offer the best quality pick and place machines.
Extensive Market Coverage
Surtel Electronica, is no doubt, one of the leading suppliers of pick and place machines in Spain and beyond.
This is because of the extensive market coverage used by the company. Currently, Surtel Electronic has strategic locations near the Mediterranean Coast and in Andalusia.
These locations help the company to be closer to the target market in the sense that Surtel Electronica uses them to keep its tie closer to the major pick and place machine retailers in Europe.
Website: https://www.surtel.es/en/
2. Electronic Advanced Circuits
Here is the second Spanish pick and place machine manufacturer that you would be interested to patronize.
Many factors make Electronic Advanced Circuits one of the best pick and place robotics manufacturers in Spain.
These are some of the reasons or advantages of sourcing your next pick and place machines from this supplier:
Single PCB Supplier
Have you always wanted to source all your PCB assembly solutions from the same place? Shopping at the same place can help you get things cheaper, and makes it easier for you to get solutions to any need you may have in the same place.
This is exactly what Electronic Advanced Circuits offer. This Spanish pick and place machine supplier believes in providing all the PCB-related solutions at a go. Hence, it opts to be the single PCB supplier for all kinds.
Imagine how thrilling it is to have your technical, commercial, and logistical PCB needs to be matched to the capabilities of a circuit board equipment manufacturing plant.
Electronic Advanced Circuits excels at this because this pick and place machine manufacturer can conveniently find logistical and technical solutions to any PCB complexities you may have.
Superior Quality
Any pick and place machine you are looking to buy should offer superior quality. With this, your customers will get value for their money.
This is also one of the reasons why many PCB manufacturers prefer to source their pick and place robots from Electronic Advanced Circuits because this supplier offers superior quality equipment.
The quality of the pick and place PCB assembly equipment is bolstered by the fact that the supplier has one of the best teams in the world. The Electronic Advanced Circuit’s team has extensive knowledge of pick and place machines. This knowledge is leveraged to create and offer unmatched pick and place machine manufacturing and distribution solutions.
Besides, the company continually makes relevant investments towards the improvement of the pick and place machine services. For example, it invests in both the Research and Development (R & D), as well as the latest machinery. This, when combined with the latest advances in the use of the Printed Circuit Board (PCB) Technology gives the company an edge.
Multiple Use Cases
One of the primary considerations you need to make when choosing a pick and place machine is the type of Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) that can be used on the machine.
The pick and place assembly machines supplied by Electronic Advanced Circuits are not only versatile but also efficient.
Ideally, you can use these machines to design and manufacture different kinds of circuit boards, including:
- Avionics
- Consumer electronics
- Lighting equipment
- Industrial control
- Power electronics
- Computer applications
- Communications
- Automotive
Website: http://www.eac-eu.es/
3. EIIT
EIIT is a Madrid-based engineering company that has been designing and supplying different kinds of testing equipment.
EIIT focuses on four (4) different business areas and has been doing well in those areas. These areas are:
- Special Test Equipment, which focuses on the production of equipment that tests the functionality of engineering products.
- Solutions Equipment & Partnership is a medium through which EIIT collaborates with other relevant brands in the global engineering sector.
- EIIT also has the Aeronautics sector that has to do with the production of solutions for the aerospace and defense industries.
- Finally, EIIT has the Automation Systems, which is where you will find the pick and place machine for sale.
The EIIT Automation Systems
Automation Systems are the sector of the business operations offered by EIIT. Here, PCB factories from different parts of the world contact EIIT to find out the latest pick and place machine for sale.
These Automation Systems are designed to help these circuit board manufacturers to get a flexible pick and place assembly solutions.
Among the solutions offered here are the provision of the necessary services, ranging from the conceptual design of the pick and place machines to the planning and development. EIIT also offers installation and support services to help PCB manufacturers get the most out of their pick and place PCB assembly equipment.
Pick and Place PCB Assembly Equipment Turnkey Solutions
Only a few pick and place machine suppliers offer turnkey solutions. This is one of the factors that separate EIIT from its competitors.
The turnkey solutions offered by EIIT go a long way to help PCB factories looking to buy the pick and place PCB machines with lots of options to choose from.
First, the turnkey solutions are an avenue for PCB factories to demand specific features and functions to be included in the machines.
Second and most important, EIIT offers the PCB factories the opportunity to go for custom-made solutions that border on the design, commissioning of specific systems, and flexible production lines for the pick and place PCB assembly machine.
As a PCB factory, you may also want to demand a prototype pick and place machine so you can have an idea of what the final product would look like.
Besides, EIIT is open to integrating different technologies that bolster pick and place robotics production into all of its systems.
Website: https://www.eiit.com/en/eiit/
4. Alter Technology
Alter Technology is another Spanish pick and place machine manufacturer. The company specializes in the provision of micro and optoelectronics services in the areas of engineering, assembly, procurement, and testing.
Target Market
The pick and place PCB machines supplied by Alter Technology are designed to be used in space and harsh environments.
Client Satisfaction
The satisfaction of the clients or PCB factories is one of the reasons why you want to purchase pick and place machines from the company.
Customer satisfaction is facilitated via the use of advanced applications, superior technology, and breakthrough innovations.
Turnkey Solutions
Alter Technology also offers turnkey pick and place PCB machine assembly solutions. These solutions are targeted at PCB factories that require a few touches.
With turnkey solutions, PCB factories from different parts of the world can make special requests for customized pick and place machines.
Some of the turnkey solutions offered by the company are:
- Packaging
- Dice probing
- Assembly
- Front-end engineering test
- Wafer sawing
- Wafer probing
- Final test
Website: https://www.altertechnology-group.com/en/home/
5. Europlacer
Are you looking for a pick and place machine supplier that designs the machines to be flexible? If so, Europlacer is the supplier you are looking for.
This is one of the best pick and place machine suppliers, not only in Spain but also in many other parts of the world. The supplier has an extensive distribution network that covers Spain, the Americas, Asia Pacific, the United Kingdom, Italy, France, China, and Germany.
Here are some of the reasons why Europlacer could be the best pick and place machine supplier in Spain:
Adaptable Machines
Asides from the flexibility, the pick, and place equipment supplied by Europlacer is also adaptable. The adaptability of these machines means that the pick and place machines can be modeled to adapt to your circuit board business needs.
Complete Line Solution
Europlacer does not stop at providing the machines for Surface Mount Technology (SMT) lines. The supplier also takes it a bit higher by supplying the complete line solution.
Advanced Software
A bulk of the automation that comes from a pick and place machine is because of the software. This is why Europlacer uses advanced software for most of its pick and place PCB assembly machines.
The advanced software also provides an intelligent interconnected ecosystem that would be leveraged to improve the production environment for Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs).
Several Pick and Place Machines to Choose from
This is also one of the unique advantages of choosing Europlacer as your Spanish pick and place machine supplier.
The company has a wide range of pick and place robots for you to choose from. On the one hand, you can choose the machines that have or support up to 4 placement heads. On the other hand, you can choose the pick and placement machines based on the speed, which can be as high as 104,000.
Website: https://europlacer.com/pick-and-place-solutions/
6. SMT Samsung
We took the time to evaluate the pick and place machine solutions offered by SMT Samsung, and we are pleased with them.
First, we want you to know that SMT Samsung is not just a Spanish pick and place machine supplier. Rather, the company also supplies the machines to other parts of the world, including Asia and America.
Background
SMT Samsung is one of the most experienced suppliers of pick and place machines. The experience of its team combines with the unique services to make it one of the best suppliers in Spain.
The company offers demo pick and place machines in different countries. These demo machines are used as prototypes for prospective PCB factories that need an overview of the machine they are about to purchase.
The other aspect of the background is that SMT Samsung provides both a high level of service and consulting services. This way, the customers will get the best service and would be offered professional advice to help them choose the best pick and place machine.
SMT Samsung also excels in the area of offering regular tests and training at its competence center. With this in place, the customers will be updated on the latest pick and place machine technology so they can, in turn, offer the best circuit board services to their clients.
Traceability Solutions
SMT Samsung also offers the customers the opportunity to trace the pick and place machines they ordered from the manufacturer.
Besides, the supplier offers full control of the placement process.
Maintenance Services
SMT Samsung offers several maintenance services. These maintenance options go a long way to help the customers (PCB factories) to maintain the pick and place machines they ordered from SMT Samsung.
Some of the maintenance services are:
- Long-term protection of investment because of the reliability of the SMT Samsung pick and place machines.
- Lowest downtime possibility
- Free software upgrade
- SMT Samsung also offers a general on-site service on the pick and place machines within 48 hours.
Website: http://www.smtsamsung.com/
7. Professionals for Quality
This is another pick and place machine supplier that you can contact in Spain. There are many reasons why you would love Professionals for Quality – and notably among those is the quality of the machines.
Professionals for Quality is a technological partner that helps you with specialized engineering and manufacturing solutions.
High Level of Specialization
Professionals for Quality specializes in the solar and automotive industries. That notwithstanding, the company also specializes in other industries that require high technical requirements.
These industries include but are not limited to:
- Smart Cities / IoT
- Rail
- Lift Industry
- Marine
- Industrial
- Medical Equipment
- Defense/Aerospace
Hardware and Software Development
The Professionals for Quality team has extensive knowledge of the development of both hardware and software solutions.
Production Analysis
Professionals for Quality do a great job of analyzing the pick and place machine designs before proceeding with the development and supply.
The supplier works with both Design for Testing (DFT) and Design for Manufacturing (DFM). Professionals for Quality do an excellent job of carrying out feasibility studies that are used to define the optimal process for the manufacturing and testing of pick and place machines.
Website: https://www.p4q.com/en/ems
How to Choose the Best Pick and Place Machines
Choosing the best pick and place machines can be quite difficult, especially when you don’t know what to look for.
Here are some of the factors you want to consider when choosing the best pick and place machines:
1. Speed of the Machine
The first thing you want to consider is the speed of the pick and place machine you want to buy. The speed has to do with the pace or the productivity of the machine at doing work.
Ideally, the pick and place machine should be at its productive best when in the peak period. You may also want to consider the number of components or Surface Mount Devices (SMDs) that the machine can pick and place onto the Printed Circuit Board (PCB) in an hour.
2. Payload
The Payload of the pick and place machine has to do with the maximum load that the machine can transfer from one point to another.
When choosing one, ensure that the pick and place machine can conveniently lift as many loads as possible, despite the weight.
3. Number of Axes
You also want to consider the number of axes that the pick and place machine has. The axes have to do with how free the machine can be.
The freedom refers to the capability of the pick and place machine to move around when picking, transferring, or placing Surface Mount Devices (SMDs) onto the Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs).
It is pertinent that the pick and place machine has as many axes as can enable the machine to be very flexible.
To give you an idea, consider purchasing a pick and place machine that has up to 6 axes, which is great if you are looking at lifting heavier components or dealing with applications that require a greater range of motion.
Conclusion
The list of the best pick and place PCB assembly machines, as detailed above, shows you some of the suppliers of those machines in Spain.
When looking for one to buy, choose it based on the Payload, the Number of Axes, and the Speed.
Above all, contact any of the Spanish pick and place machine suppliers to get a better deal on the machine you want to buy for your PCB factory.