Did you know that there are far more options when it comes to pick and place machines? While suction is common for a lot of machines, it isn’t the only method. Many people assume if a part on a reel that is “uneven” is missing Kapton (or captivity) tape, then it can’t be used in a pick and place machine. Yes, it is common for manufacturers to have parts that include this kind of feature, but that assumes you are only working with suction cup placement. Pardon the pun in the title, it has a purpose!
Example Part 455-B2B-PH-SM4-TBTR-ND (B2B-PH-SM4-TB)
A customer ordered the part above thinking it would automatically come with Kapton tape. This additional layer of tape provides a flat pick up surface for vacuum based pick-and-place equipment. The manufacturer informed me that B2B-PH-SM4-TB has no suction tape on it. Instead, the part B2B-PH-SM4-TBT does. The “T” indicates the suction tape option.
Limited Exposure Caused Wrong Assumptions
I have been working in this industry for about 5 years, but still didn’t know there were more options than suction! I originally wondered why the manufacturer offered a version without Kapton tape until I learned there are other pick methods. The manufacturer was kind enough to mention that they don’t know if the machines used have other options.
Other Pick Methods
I found a good article on Vacuum Technologies Limited, click here. The article talks about when to pick the other options listed, so it’s certainly a worthwhile read. Other methods may include, but aren’t limited to:
- Foam Grippers/Area Gripping Systems
- Mechanical Grippers
- Magnetic Grippers
- Clamp and Hook Based Handling
Conclusion
The next time you encounter a reeled component without a vacuum pickup surface, don’t automatically assume it isn’t suitable for automated assembly. The answer may depend more on the capabilities of the assembly equipment than the component itself.