SMD tape trays - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2015, 09:24:48 pm
content: Neat idea :https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/femtocow/manual-smd-soldering-trays

author: Mr.B
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 09, 2015, 09:28:39 pm
content: Very nice idea.Backed...

author: Kjelt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2015, 09:58:35 pm
content: Nice idea! I don't like the 3D print process though esp. when he states that the end results are not stable and he gets different quality is a bad sign.This stage should be kept for the prototyping IMO. He should have gone for more money and go to pro-molds and a mass production process, expensive yes once then the fun begins and he can sell them all over the world. Oh well if this is a success probably in half a year ebay is full of china copies anyway, maybe he knows that already.

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2015, 10:12:10 pm
content: Already been posted back here:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/crowd-funded-projects/manual-smd-soldering-trays/It is quite neat, but proper production would be much better.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2015, 10:38:34 pm
content: The print quality is a potential issue - could probably be done much nicer with a -part injection mould, but tooling probably too much to afford for a niche item.I wonder if machining from sheet material could be an option.

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2015, 04:26:06 am
content: I have this scad design of similar feeders. Here is a link to an interactive 3d viewerhttps://github.com/zapta/misc/blob/master/prototyping/smd_feeders/smd_feader_5x8mm.stlI plan to post it on thingieverse as a parametric design (number of slots, dimensions, etc). Shapeways charged me $8 for this 5 x 8mm part which I think is very reasonable. They have fancy printers that don't have no problem with the slot, hangout, etc. I also printed in with my cheapo reprap but had to print it in three separate pieces and glue (base tunnel, cover and U shape tape peeler) but it was just as functional. It works very well. I glued it to this heavy base so it doesn't move when I peel the tape.http://amzn.com/B006H2GRFC

author: rx8pilot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2015, 04:41:50 am
content: I made these from heavy blocks of aluminum. The heavy weight is very nice to have when pulling to advance the tapes - they stay put. Laser marked on top with lane ID. The machined surfaces make the tapes glide nice a smooth and they can be paper and plastic tapes. I made 8, 12,16, 24mm versions at various widths.3D printing for production is terrible IMHO.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2015, 04:53:29 am
content: i'm thinking, have 10 or so entire reels mounted in your work-bench shelving (eg, like test equipment).And have the tape unroll onto the desk and into these holders which can also be labeled with the value.Should make a nice system.I bought the 3 set pack.It would be better if they were modular though, so you can join them together in any combination by tongue-n-groove or similar connection.

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2015, 06:09:07 am
content: Just posted the parameterized 3D design herehttp://www.thingiverse.com/thing:675336Here is the 5 x 8mm feeders I am using, attached to a heavy metal base.

author: Kjelt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2015, 04:36:33 pm
content: Quote from: rx8pilot on February 10, 2015, 04:41:50 amThose look great! Do you have a design or more info somewhere to share.Or perhaps even the DXF files maybe to share?

author: bapou
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 19, 2015, 08:03:12 am
content: @rx8pilotI like you milled aluminium design very much. In your design, is the cover film also separated and folded back as in the printed designs shown by zapta here and in the kickstarter and (the acrylic part is difficult to see) or is this anyhow no big advantage?In case you still have closeup photos or a CAD file, this would be great as I will try to mill some of these holders for my bench.Thanks,Thom

author: rx8pilot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 19, 2015, 06:24:29 pm
content: I have the files in Solid Works, can you read STEP 3D files? The Acrylic panels were cut with our laser and the those are DXF.

author: bapou
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2015, 11:20:35 am
content: thanks rx8pilot,STEP or IGES would both work.thom

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2015, 01:46:13 pm
content: the one on kickstarter is cool.i got like 5 idea's for improvement in 2 minutes :sketches attched

author: bapou
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2015, 07:54:29 pm
content: Quote from: rx8pilot on February 19, 2015, 06:24:29 pmIn case you find time, it would be really helpful to get your files as your design looks very nice.Thanks, Thom

author: JuKu
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2015, 08:57:32 am
content: @free_electron:These look great. For your second picture, does the fact that smd tape widths are in 4mm increments which also happens to be Lego pitch, raise any ideas? :-)

author: rx8pilot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2015, 04:39:28 am
content: Here are the SolidWorks Files.....https://solidcamera.box.com/s/bcvzrm3ck85d3mj9cwkywuh6jm4gizh9https://solidcamera.box.com/s/ksmoo3dbbvinsk4s1586jhh9igx1zjwzhttps://solidcamera.box.com/s/vwpitd0xe8r77cmjkl38gr1bjvp5qit7I will try to get the laser cut covers as well, but they are derived from these models. You can have a cover tape slot or not on them. I chose not to because they covered the slot labels.

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2015, 06:30:32 am
content: Quote from: JuKu on February 25, 2015, 08:57:32 amlego pick and place ?

author: bapou
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2015, 07:54:34 am
content: Thanks rx8pilot,this is really helpful.

author: JuKu
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2015, 09:59:43 am
content: Quote from: free_electron on March 03, 2015, 06:30:32 amModular base plate.

author: carloscuev
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2015, 10:58:03 am
content: This trays have been on ebay/aliexpress for years, they are about $25, I just bought 10 of them, they are great. The magic search term is "5 way smt feeder"http://www.ebay.com/itm/291176058615

author: bapou
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2015, 08:11:55 pm
content: I now built the trays for which rx8pilot kindly provided the 3D files and they work very nicely.This approach really saves time in my manual pick and place routine compared to my previous approachwhere I taped everything on a wooden board.I used two acrylic pieces on top; one to cover the trays and another one with 0.5mm distance bring the cover tape back. This way one can also advance the the tape by pulling the cover tape but one can still see the labels. Thanks again to rx8pilot!

author: rx8pilot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2015, 08:29:02 pm
content: Awesome....do you do that on a manual machine?

author: bapou
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2015, 09:53:03 pm
content: No, some years ago I converted a BF20 (a bit similar to a Sieg X3 from the US) to CNC.

author: maj
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 16, 2015, 09:02:21 pm
content: Thanks for supplying the design files rx8pilot, much appreciated