Conveyor for SMT peripheral equipment

II. Core Functions and Roles

• Transportation and Connection: Smoothly conveys PCBs processed by upstream equipment (e.g., pick-and-place machines) to the next process (e.g., reflow ovens), avoiding efficiency loss and quality risks caused by manual intervention.
• Buffering and Temporary Storage: When a process device experiences short-term downtime or mismatched rhythm, the conveyor can temporarily store PCBs, balance the production beat, and reduce downtime losses.
• Positioning and Calibration: Some high-end conveyors feature PCB position calibration functions. Through photoelectric sensors or mechanical positioning devices, they ensure precise alignment of PCBs during transportation, providing a stable foundation for subsequent processes (e.g., soldering).
• Process Adaptation: Supports the transportation of PCBs in different sizes and specifications, and can adapt to diversified production needs by adjusting parameters such as track width and transmission speed.

III. Key Structures and Working Principles

• Mechanical Structure:
  • Transportation Track: Made of aluminum alloy or stainless steel, with adjustable width via lead screws or guides to fit PCB sizes from 50-450mm.
  • Transportation Belt/Chain: Driven by a motor to ensure smooth PCB conveyance. Some high-end models use servo motors for precise speed control (adjustable from 0.1-1.5m/min).
  • Positioning Device: Includes side baffles, stop cylinders, and positioning pins. After a PCB is detected by a photoelectric sensor, mechanical positioning is automatically completed.
• Electrical System:
  • Uses a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) as the core control unit, receiving signals from upstream and downstream equipment (e.g., "PCB in place," "transmission allowed") to coordinate transmission actions.
  • Equipped with a touchscreen HMI (Human-Machine Interface) for setting parameters (e.g., track width, transmission speed, temporary storage quantity) and displaying device status.
• Working Process:
  1. The PCB flows into the conveyor track from upstream equipment, and the photoelectric sensor detects the PCB's arrival.
  2. The stop cylinder acts, halting and positioning the PCB.
  3. The conveyor judges whether the downstream equipment is ready. If ready, it starts transmission to send the PCB out.
  4. If the downstream equipment is busy, the PCB is temporarily stored in the conveyor (buffer type) and transmitted after receiving the permission signal.

IV. Application Value in SMT Production Lines

• Improving Production Efficiency: Reduces manual intervention through automated transmission, avoids production line 停顿 (downtime), and typically increases capacity by 10%-15% in typical scenarios.
• Ensuring Quality Stability: Minimizes risks of scratches, ESD damage, etc., caused by manual PCB handling. The positioning accuracy reaches ±0.1mm, reducing the defect rate in subsequent processes.
• Enhancing Production Line Flexibility: Supports quick switching between different product models, adapting to multi-variety production, especially suitable for small-batch, multi-lot scenarios in electronic manufacturing.
• Optimizing Space Layout: Some conveyors can be designed as right-angle turns or lifting structures, flexibly adapting to production line layout limitations and saving workshop space.

V. Selection and Maintenance Points

• Selection References:
  • Choose a conveyor with matching transmission efficiency according to the production line speed (e.g., servo-driven types for high-speed lines).
  • Consider the PCB size range (e.g., whether it supports oversized boards or panel transmission).
  • Prioritize intelligent conveyors with MES interfaces if data traceability is required.
• Daily Maintenance:
  • Regularly clean the transmission belt and track to prevent solder residue and dust accumulation from affecting transmission accuracy.
  • Check the lubrication of motors and transmission components, and add lubricant quarterly.
  • Calibrate photoelectric sensors to ensure the accuracy of PCB detection and prevent misoperations.

VI. Industry Development Trends

• Intelligent Interconnection: Access to factory IoT via industrial Ethernet for real-time device status monitoring and remote maintenance.
• Flexible Integration: Modular design supports quick replacement of transmission modules to adapt to flexible production line needs.
• Energy-Saving Design: Adopts low-power motors and standby sleep modes to reduce energy consumption costs.

In summary, although SMT conveyors are not core processing equipment, they are crucial for ensuring the efficient and stable operation of production lines. Their technological upgrades continue to drive electronic manufacturing towards smarter and more flexible development.