New autofeeder from Autosplice

Citation

(2002), "New autofeeder from Autosplice", Soldering & Surface Mount Technology, Vol. 14 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/ssmt.2002.21914bad.007

New autofeeder from Autosplice

Keywords: Assembly, Electronics

Autosplice's new AutoFeeder™ technology provides electronics manufacturers with a flexible family of feeder alternatives that seamlessly support the efficient placement of a variety of SMT pins and other interconnects on existing pick-and-place equipment.

All AutoFeeder products leverage a unique modular design, which brings together a common transport mechanism in combination with specialized functionality for handling and presenting specific types of SMT pins and specialized interconnect components.

AutoFeeder's inherent modularity and low- profile design allows the same basic configuration to be adapted for use with a full range of SMT pick- and-place equipment from leading manufacturers, including Fuji, Philips, Sanyo, Siemens, Universal, Juki, and others. The primary transport mechanisms and component handling functions, designed and built by Autosplice, are matched directly to the existing feeder mounting methodology used by each major equipment manufacturer to create a seamless interface for each SMT placement platform.

AutoFeeder technology also provides "true plug-and-play'' compatibility with every supported SMT placement platform, including the use of each equipment manufacturer's existing power interfaces, air connections and waste-removal systems. This ensures seamless integration and sustained performance on the production floor while eliminating any hassles with secondary power supplies, air hook-ups or manual waste disposal, which have typically impaired the effectiveness of other third-party feeder technologies.

AutoFeeder versions are currently available to handle a full spectrum of continuously reeled components that fall into two major categories. The first category includes Autosplice's continuously-stamped interconnects, such as MiniFootä SMT pins as well as other continuously manufactured components, such as ShieldClips, contact pads, etc. AutoFeeder technology is also designed to smoothly handle a second category of components presented in high- density tape and reel packaging, such as Autosplice's TreadHead™ SMT power pins. AutoFeeder inherently allows for maximum space efficiency and high reel densities by accommodating TreadHead pins that are packaged in a tight-pitch, horizontal format on the reel. The Autofeeder system automatically presents each pin in a vertical orientation, where it is held securely in a "V'' block for consistent presentation to the pick-up head.