Benefits of Robotics

Compared with manual labor, automated machinery has the following advantages:

Speed: A fast pick and place machine can place thousands of components on a PCB per hour. In terms of speed of work, robots are simply unbeatable.

Dexterity: Because some electronic components are so tiny, specialized machines are needed to solder them to printed circuit boards. The machine can also print tiny letters and marks on the PCB to show where components are placed. Without robots, computers would never be small enough to fit in people's pockets.

Inexhaustible: Machines can work tirelessly without interruption. Unlike people, machines don't get sick, get emotionally distracted, or get bored even after hours of repetition.

Safety: Sealants, adhesives and welding equipment pose health and safety risks to human workers. Using robotics to do the job can prevent accidents in the workplace.

Visibility: X-ray machines can detect soldering defects such as excess solder, opens, solder bridges, and voids. They can also see component issues as well as CSP and BGA defects. The machines can inspect multiple boards at once, allowing product lines to be deployed in minutes.

Accuracy: Accurate optical inspection (AOI) can point out near-microscopic defects that are difficult to see with the naked eye. AOI cameras use photogrammetry to calculate the height of different components on a printed circuit board. It also uses software to detect parts that are not touching the PCB. As a result, AOI can find defects such as uneven soldering, tombstoning, skewed or missing components.

Consistency: A machine can replicate the same result repeatedly. Pick-and-place robots continuously move products from one location to another. Laser marking machines print a unique serial number on each PCB to make it traceable. Every part of the PCB manufacturing process is highly repetitive, but the equipment keeps it consistent.