Semiconductor board loading machines for SMT peripheral equipment

In SMT peripheral equipment, the semiconductor board loader, often also called a board feeder or fully automatic board loader, is a device used in SMT production lines to automatically transport carrier boards (such as PCBs) for semiconductor wafers or packaged semiconductor devices to subsequent processing equipment. Below is a detailed introduction:

Functional Features

• Automatic Board Feeding: Upon receiving a board request signal from the lower-level machine, it automatically transfers PCBs from the storage position to a designated location, such as the working area of an SMT pick-and-place machine, enabling automated production processes and saving labor costs.
• Adaptability to Different Sizes: Capable of automatically adjusting the width of the equipment's conveying rails according to the PCB width to accommodate various PCB sizes and specifications, meeting diverse production needs.
• Fault Alarm: Equipped with a fault alarm function to promptly detect and alert operators to abnormal situations during production, such as insufficient board supply or equipment component failures. This facilitates timely handling, reduces downtime, and improves production efficiency.

Working Principle

1. The board lifting system raises the PCBs in the magazine to a specified height.
2. The board pushing system transfers the top PCB onto the conveyor belt.
3. The conveyor belt transports the PCB to the next process equipment.
   When all PCBs are transferred, the empty transfer box or magazine automatically lowers and is replaced by a new box/magazine filled with PCBs, achieving fully automatic board loading. During this process, the alignment system continuously monitors and adjusts PCB position for accurate transportation, while the control system coordinates component movements to ensure stable operation.

Types

• Miniature Board Loaders: Compact in size (typically holding ~50 boards), suitable for workshops with limited production space. They can be paired with semi-automatic or fully automatic printers, ideal for small-batch production or prototyping of complex orders.
• Fully Automatic Board Loaders: Built with a steel frame for stability and durability, equipped with a microcomputer control card system and a touchscreen HMI for user-friendly operation. They can automatically replace material frames for board feeding without manual intervention, compatible with fully automatic printers or pick-and-place machines, and suitable for large-scale automated production.
• Vacuum Sucking Board Loaders: Utilizing four systems—lifting platform, vacuum adsorption, translation drive, and rail transport—to transfer stacked bare boards to the connection rail via vacuum adsorption for delivery to downstream equipment, enabling automatic board loading. Often used in conjunction with other types of board loaders to enhance SMT production line efficiency.
• Integrated Board Loaders: Combining functions of automatic board loaders and vacuum sucking board loaders, they consist of material frame loading and vacuum sucking loading. The two loading modes can be switched arbitrarily, offering convenience and flexibility. One machine can handle single-board or double-board loading, improving production line versatility.

Role

Application Fields

• Consumer Electronics: Production of PCBs for mobile phones, tablets, laptops, digital cameras, etc.
• Automotive Electronics: Manufacturing PCBs for automotive engine control units, in-vehicle entertainment systems, airbag control systems, and other electronic control modules.
• Communication Equipment: Used in PCB production for base stations, routers, switches, and other communication devices.
• Industrial Control: Applied to PCB production in various industrial automation control systems, such as programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and industrial computers.
• Medical Electronics: Employed in manufacturing PCBs for medical monitoring equipment, medical imaging devices, and other electronic medical instruments.