Handling of boards during assembly - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: uzbek
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2020, 10:25:19 pm
content: Hey all!We are running the production of modules that have to go through different stages of production:SMD assembly - from printing to reflow through conveyor - boards are in the panelTHT assembly - they are manually transferred to a first work station for soldering of the THT components - boards are still in panelCleaning - manually transferred to a second work station for cleaning - boards are still in panelDepanelization - boards are depanelized at the third work stationTesting - the testing jig is for single pcs and that is the fourth work stationCoating - boards are coated and that is fifth work stationEnclosure assembly - boards are assembled into the enclosure and put in their final packagingSo we have to transfer boards between the working stations and we have to handle them at different stages. Currently, we use a DIY solution with boxes and ESD foam but it is somewhat impractical. Because of that, we are looking for the best way to handle single boards\panels through different stages of production. We have already looked for different equipment that is used and found:Carts/trolleysRacksESD boxesTraysWe are currently thinking of a combination of carts and racks but we wanted to check what is used before we commit to buying additional equipment. What do you use in your production setup?

author: SMTech
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2020, 11:40:15 pm
content: Racks, and like feeders, you can never have enough.

author: uzbek
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 08, 2020, 10:40:37 pm
content: Well, we will buy some quantity of racks to start and if we need more after some time, we will buy more.How do you handle PCBs that cannot be transferred with racks? We have some designs that have components on the edge of the board and I am not sure will they be able to slide into the rack.

author: ElectronRob
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 09, 2020, 06:32:06 pm
content: If you are doing a lot of the design with connectors on the edge you could have a some laser cut holders made.... they would slide into the rack and mean you would mostly handle the holder rather than the board.

author: Mangozac
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 09, 2020, 08:41:16 pm
content: For stuff that won't fit into racks just get some ESD boxes and place the boards on their side.

author: GerardG
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 10, 2020, 08:40:45 am
content: Hello Uzbek,We have different types of carts, racks and boxes.Steel wire racks and plastic racks are mostly used. Wire racks for the component reels and storage.I see a lot of the adjustable PCB racks being used to transport between pick & place hand soldering department. These racks are also used for storage on repair facilities.https://printtec.nl/contents/nl/d120_ESD_veiligheid.html

author: nguyensanity
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: December 10, 2020, 06:47:02 pm
content: I like the mobility of using carts. Can make them ESD safe as wellhttps://vinatronic.com/