Is the vision bot pick and place machine and going project? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 17, 2017, 10:25:51 pm
content: In looking around for a desktop sized pick and place machine I came across the vision bot:http://visionbot.net/on paper it looks nice but has anybody got hold of one and used it? I know absolutely nothing about this sort of machinery so I am cautious. I have tried sending the maker a question on his website and the form returns an error. The same happens for his personal website that seems to use the same form. I have had no response from his Facebook page.The price size and capacity seems to be about where I would like to aim.

author: ar__systems
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 18, 2017, 03:15:40 pm
content: yeah, he was very active and then gone quiet few months ago.I'm not sure if it looks that good. Only one nozzle and no-changer.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 18, 2017, 03:59:12 pm
content: I have no idea about this kit. Anything similar and better that is actually available ?

author: HHaase
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 18, 2017, 07:53:04 pm
content: Looks like it's turned to vaporware, and only went as far as maybe 1-2 units assembled. I had originally been interested in the system but have since lost enthusiasm for it.For the pricing he was looking at, to be honest, most of the current crop of Chinese machines would be in the same market.At the $6500 he was going to be asking for the larger feeder version you're nearly into the higher end Qihe and CharmHigh machines that have proper feeders and 4 spindle heads.And at the low end, in the $3000 range, the base model from Qihe would be a possibility, though the VisionBot feeder setup does look potentially superior and the Qihe is dual spindle.In all honesty I think if he focused on just doing a software package that improved on the Chinese machines he might find a better market.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 18, 2017, 07:58:08 pm
content: I suspect it might have been a case of invent something no one in his country knew alreasdy existed become famous and get grants from the new found EU fathers or his own government for coming up with the same thing as the chinese. I like the classic photo of him in his lab with every instrument on the storage rack on and viewing some signal that clearly was just put on all those scopes for showI found this topic:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/manufacture/pick-and-place-machine-tvm802a-tvm802b/75/but the op seems to have been absent from the forum for nearly a year and all of his video's don't work. I am slowly reading through the thread but sounds like a viable option.

author: TJ232
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 18, 2017, 09:29:53 pm
content: Keep an eye also on OpenPNP:https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/openpnpIt looks like they are close to make it viable on the cheap Chinese machines.A merge between the decent hardware quality of them combined with a nice software like OpenPNP migh end in a nice solution for small scale usage. TVM920+OpenPNP can go even a bit further,with the great advantage of the Yamaha feeders.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 18, 2017, 09:32:37 pm
content: So that's like a universal program to drive a machine with, (a bit like mach3 for CNC stuff) ?

author: TJ232
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 19, 2017, 06:02:09 am
content: Quote from: Simon on February 18, 2017, 09:32:37 pmYes. And has some interesting features. So far the OpenPNP looks like the best available software around.I am playing with it with a DYI pnp machine and looks more than decent. Combined with a more precise hardware can give you a nice compact solution for prototypes testing and small batches.I am also looking for a small pnp machine solution that can fit inside the Office. Will be used only for testing phase and proto batches, for real production some Essemtec COBRA are doing the job just fine.Another "maybe" potential canditate, if will be finally finished and available:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/manufacture/smallsmt-vision-placer-pick-place-machines/200/

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 19, 2017, 08:16:29 am
content: I like it not how no demo demonstrates electrolytic capacitors being placed........

author: TJ232
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 19, 2017, 11:20:12 am
content: It heavily depends of the height of the component but this type of limitations can be seen also on multi million bucks machines.

author: HHaase
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 19, 2017, 07:40:55 pm
content: Quote from: TJ232 on February 19, 2017, 11:20:12 amYup, most of the machines you see in the lower price points have a height limitation in the range of 5mm to 10mm maximum part height.-Hans

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 19, 2017, 07:42:00 pm
content: Well that's not a showstopper as large electrolytic's are easy enough to place my hand. What's pissing me off is hand placing tiny transistor and resistor and capacitor packages. My hand just takes too much.

author: george graves
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 19, 2017, 07:56:23 pm
content: Quote from: TJ232 on February 18, 2017, 09:29:53 pmYea! Great group of folks. They really are moving forward. The software is a bit complicated to set up some of the deeper features, but in that, it's fully flexiable for any machine.I'm planning on building a small testing/learning machine on the cheap, and if all goes well, a small home PNP.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 19, 2017, 07:59:23 pm
content: Well I won't be able to afford anything for a year of so of hard saving but it looks like things are getting interesting. Is the open source program going to work on windows, or by open source did they mean open only to linux gurus ?

author: TJ232
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 19, 2017, 08:33:51 pm
content: OpenPNP is running very well also under Windows and MAC, you don't need to play in the Linux yard if you don't like it.

author: george graves
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2017, 05:04:21 am
content: Quote from: Simon on February 19, 2017, 07:59:23 pmThe OpenPNP program (IIRC) is spitting out g-code. The recommend control board is a +$100 "smothie" board, from what I'm seeing, a bit of work will make it work on a $30 ramps board that is used in 3d printers. So it's a really low price to entry.

author: donotdespisethesnake
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2017, 11:44:07 am
content: The economics of selling low-cost P&P machines are pretty much impossible, so I'm not surprised to see most projects fall by the way side.I think the only "low-cost" project I've seen that is managing to sustain ishttp://www.liteplacer.com/.The cost has crept up from it's original price point, and it requires assembly, but still just about affordable if you run 100-200 boards through it.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 20, 2017, 12:40:26 pm
content: indeed which is why I am not surpised that vision bot is gone, he got awards left right and centre, became a minor celebrity and no doubt got a offer out of the publicity that was way more secure than his little project.The only thing I was worried about with lite placer is the setting up of parts, sounds like it could get tedious even on small production runs having to put the tapes down on the table and presumably tell the machine where they are, woth a go though at that price.

author: Smallsmt
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2017, 12:41:05 pm
content: If you need a cheap working machine use this VP-2000S for 3995$ completly equipped?Working Area: 260x240mmNozzle Changer: 4 slotWest Feeder: 20 x 8mmEast Feeder: 20 x 8mmTotal up to 40 x 8mm feederIt can move 10mm tall parts the feeder supports up to 9mm deep pockets.https://www.smallsmt.biz/vision-placer-drag-feeder-machine/

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 20, 2017, 12:43:34 pm
content: Yes I have been looking at your machine as well, it would at this point be my first choice and not something I can afford for a few more months to a year.