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This thing is a Work in Progress. Expect the files and instructions for this thing to change.

Open Pick-N-Place Tape Feeder

Created by
Erik
Created on Mar 24, 2011
Featured on Mar 24, 2011

This project now has a home: code.google.com/p/smt-pick-n-place-system/

This is part of my efforts to automate assembly of PCBs, using an existing 3D printer with a pick-and-place toolhead instead of acquiring a 40K euro machine. This is a parametric design that can be easily adjusted for various sizes of SMD tape. The gear will also be adjusted depending on the pitch of the tape and components.

A tape feeder like this can cost about 1 euro instead of 200 euro's.

Like most of my design, it was designed in OpenSCAD, openSCAD.org a wonderful tool, especially if you're more of a TUI person than a GUI person.

Personally, I really like the recursion that you can print and cut these parts on open source machines and that they will allow you to automatically assemble the PCBs for 3D printers and laser cutters. Also, the laser cutter can be open source, which is what our friends in Utrecht are working on: see laoslaser.org/

Video: youtube.com/watch?v=fsWpC6L91qo

Derivatives, additions, improvements and suggestions may also be prized as part of the Ultimaker challenge:
Ultimaker.com/Challenge !

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pnp-reelfeeder4.scad

8 kb / 118 downloads / 11 months ago

pnp-tape guide4.stl

219 kb / 101 downloads / 11 months ago

pnp-lever2.stl

94 kb / 91 downloads / 11 months ago

pnp-gear.stl

183 kb / 95 downloads / 11 months ago

pnp-gear.dxf

11 kb / 94 downloads / 11 months ago

pnp-gear.AI

26 kb / 85 downloads / 11 months ago

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Instructions

0. See the video for more instructions.
1. Adjust the parts in openSCAD to fit your tape. Export them to STLs.
2. Print the STL files.
3. Assemble them and ensure that it slides well. The gear, lever and the tape holder have a tight M3 bore.
4. It's better to print it a little too narrow and use a little file to get the exact tolerance you need.
5. Laser cut the gear from POM Delrin (tm).
6. Write control and computer vision software :)

Open Pick-N-Place Tape Feeder

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