Linconshire UK - Small Pick/Place machine possibly going for a song - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2014, 11:50:48 am
content: 3 days to go and no bids yet :http://www.ppauctions.com/lot.php?l_id=46211&id=113&search=versatronics&cat=all&perPage=20&sort=2&thisPage=1Info on this machine at my forum :http://www.electricstuff.co.uk/forum/

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2014, 09:53:14 pm
content: Mike: does this machine look complete & and in working order to you?

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2014, 10:21:51 pm
content: Most trade auctions don't get serious bids until the last 10 minutes.There's a Mantis in there that's only up to £11

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2014, 10:49:37 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on June 09, 2014, 09:53:14 pmComplete, yes, and plenty of feeders.There is some evidence of corrosion/rust around the head but doesn't look too serious. I think this has been used for liquid dispensing, judging by the sponge. I don't know what the motor-looking thing with the feeders is - could be a liquid dispensing reservoir of some sort.One risk on these machines is if some idiot has removed the PC as part of data destruction - probably worth checking this with the auctioneer if you're seriously interested.There is a custom motion control card, and a very specific make/model of vision card.It is also a bit of a PITA if you don't have the calibration file.If viewing in person, check all axes move smoothly by hand. As there are so few moving parts, there isn't much that's fatal, and quite a few parts are available. Someone on my versatronics forum has even rev-enged some of the boards and sells replacements.Despite being 20-ish years old, this model is probably still to this day the best size/useability/cost option for low-end pick/place, especially where you don't have space for an bigger old machine. Software is pretty OK, apart form only running on Win98, and doesn't need an air supply.

author: Zad
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2014, 11:51:45 pm
content: It is interesting to see the contents of BBC TV Centre up for sale too.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2014, 10:47:08 am
content: Ended at £990 - pretty good deal for someone

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2014, 10:48:35 am
content: I've no idea what pick place machines usually go for.I bought the Mantis, just hoping that it works ok.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 12, 2014, 11:06:13 am
content: So who scored it for the bargain price of 990 pounds?

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2014, 11:06:50 am
content: Quote from: KJDS on June 12, 2014, 10:48:35 amRV's generally go for between £2-5K depending on condition and feeders, which is probably the cheapest you can get a viable pick/place setup if you don't have space or access to look at old big machines.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2014, 11:08:18 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on June 12, 2014, 11:06:13 amI'm sure they'll show up on my forum - any search for versatronics leads there

author: 8086
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2014, 11:38:44 am
content: Well, I'm jealous. I bid a couple of times but I couldn't justify the risk for £1200 (fees, VAT).Good job to whoever got it though, nice one.

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2014, 12:02:23 pm
content: Quote from: 8086 on June 12, 2014, 11:38:44 amIt was, IIRC 15.5% fees and 20% VAT, so closer to £1400

author: 8086
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2014, 12:05:32 pm
content: Oh yes you are right, I must have missed the 1 so calculated with 5.5% fees to get to £1250.Still jealous.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 12, 2014, 12:33:20 pm
content: Quote from: KJDS on June 12, 2014, 12:02:23 pmI'd totally pay that just to play around. Only problem is the lack of space to put such things.

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2014, 12:44:36 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on June 12, 2014, 12:33:20 pmMy "play" money is spent either on the current car or into the Lamborghini fund, but with some space then I'm sure it would be a nice toy to have, or a potentially good little earner for someone.Even with the buyers fee and VAT and then ebay fees on the sale, the Mantis was cheap enough to resell at a good profit if it works, or else break even if it's faulty provided it's not in very poor shape.

author: Kjelt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2014, 12:51:04 pm
content: Mike saw your video about this machine on your forum, those feeders look like they can also be used standalone, are they ever coming up for sale and if so what amount are they going for?

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2014, 01:00:23 pm
content: Quote from: Kjelt on June 12, 2014, 12:51:04 pmYou could use the feeders standalone - they don't need special mounting, and just need a single byte RS232 command to index. Hard to give a price, as the market is very finite - depends what people want/need. My guess would be £100-300 depending on type. Wider ones are a lot rarer than 8mm.The RV feeders would be pretty good for a DIY pick/place setup.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2014, 01:18:00 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on June 12, 2014, 12:33:20 pmIt's actually about the smallest P&P around - most of the bottom part of the cabinet is empty space, just holding a PC and a PSU box, so if you take the front cover off, there's plenty of storage space. Might be slightly noisy to use in an office environment, depending how thick your walls are. Vibration is quite low due to the SCARA arm setup - I know that for at least one maker of higher-end P&P machines, the first thing they do when installing is fill the base with concrete!

author: Kjelt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2014, 02:32:01 pm
content: Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on June 12, 2014, 01:00:23 pmThat would be a very interesting product for the price. Do they ever show up on Ebay or where do you advise to look for them?

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2014, 02:43:59 pm
content: Quote from: Kjelt on June 12, 2014, 02:32:01 pmYou will only find them in the UK as the machine was only sold there. I don't recall ever seeing feeders on their own - they tend to stay with machines.Best place to look would bemy Versatronics forum. There is a recent post in the buy/sell section mentioning someone in the UK with some feeders available.Grovesalessometimes have feeders available, typically around GBP250 each.Any old feeders will almost certainly need new belts - they're standard circular rubber drive belts, and not expensive (GBP0.36) , but a bit of a fiddly job to replace.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 14, 2014, 01:49:45 pm
content: Something else, even older :http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MAMIYA-ECM8300-SURFACE-MOUNT-PICK-AND-PLACE-MACHINE-/221464011307?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item339048a22b