Global Surface Mount Technology Placement Equipment Markets

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DUBLIN — Research and Markets released its latest Global Surface Mount Technology Placement Equipment Markets report. Surface mount technology (SMT) placement equipment forms an integral part of an SMT assembly line, which traditionally consists of several individual process machines. An SMT assembly line brings together several types of equipment such as placement equipment, inspection equipment, test equipment, screen printers, solder and adhesive dispensers, reflow ovens, rework and backload units, cleaners and conveyors. The global SMT placement equipment market includes approximately 40 companies that offer a variety of purchase options to the two main end users of the equipment: original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and contract electronics manufacturers (CEMs).  

The product markets covered in this research service have been restricted to three product types, with each system being defined as a unit.  

The turret placement machine consists of three primary mechanisms: The indexing wheel (turret) with placement heads (typically xx to xx heads) at the circumference, a moving table and a feeder carriage. These mechanisms move simultaneously in a cyclic manner, to mount the components on the PCB. The placement heads contain different sizes of suction nozzles, in most cases, each head being equipped with three to six nozzles that can be changed on the run. The nozzles are used to transport the components from the feeder carriage (stock of components) to the PCB table, where the components are mounted. Different nozzle sizes are used, depending on the size of the component being placed. The turret rotates on a fixed axis. The placement head located at the front of the turret places a component, as the opposite placement head picks up a component from the feeders located in the feeder carriage. The feeder carriage holds the component feeders and moves horizontally, positioning the correct feeder in the pickup location as the components are needed.  

With a gantry placement machine, an input conveyor belt transports the PCB into the machine, where it is secured to a PCB table that moves in a vertical direction. The machine consists of one to two gantry-type robots equipped in most cases with multiple placement heads. The robots can move along the X-Y axis, while the placement heads can make Q-Z movements. The heads can hold different size nozzles. The machine has stationary feeder carriages, and in some cases, a tray holder, used for very large components, where the feeders or trays of components are located. The heads transport the components from the feeders or the tray pickup location to the correct horizontal location, while the PCB table brings the PCB to the correct vertical position. The head then lowers and places the component.  

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