'Just ordered a MakerBot Thing-o-Matic. 'Not sure what I'll do with it yet (or where I'll put it); but I said the same about the laser cutter. 'Couldn't live without it now!
-Phil
Hey, me too! Actually ordered it on the way back from UPEW, somewhere in Oregon I think. As far as the laser, that should be here in early July.
This is part of our IPC (Intrepid Production Crew) in class, becoming experts right before our very eyes.
They're writing the program for a sample test board (which just so happens to be the much fabled, eagerly anticipated, rarely seen, and yet wildly sought-after, Li-Ion Power Pack ;-)
The little Bubble of Joy sees daylight for the first time....
Mandating safety equipment assumes the staff is not intelligent enough to keep them self's from getting hurt or staying out of harms way.
'
This would really insult me If I was on the staff.
'
I see No Bad company practice at Parallax. This is from an employee of a VPP Star Plant.(See OSHA and VPP)
'
'
I would like to see the little guy in operation (the kiss), Soldering some stuff up.
If there is any chance at all of dangerous stuff flying through the air, I will be wearing safety glasses. However, OSHA actually does not mandate the use of PPE.
"OSHA requires the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) to reduce employee exposure to hazards when engineering and administrative controls are not feasible or effective in reducing these exposures to acceptable levels. Employers are required to determine if PPE should be used to protect their workers."
We take safety very seriously. In my opinion, significantly beyond what is "legally required". I know this to be true, because I live it everyday.
During the cleaning process (where we take the pump apart), all safety equipment should be used, as appropriate. Ove Gloves, and eye protection are the basics.
However, during machine operation (while the boards are being processed), the whole operation is really quite safe (no real possibility of splash / burns etc. (unless an operator overrides some of the safety mechanisms built into the machine).
Beyond any governmental requirements for safety, there's also the "common sense" aspect of machine operation. I, having built multiple custom homes in the past, am really known as Mr. Safety Glasses (ironically). Never do I not wear them if there's even a remote possibility of an accident.
However, safety glasses didn't keep me from walking off the end of a scaffold and breaking my nose - wow, that was a mess!)
So, rest-assured, safety is top priority here!
All for the price of a 5 dollar pair of safety glasses.
Actually we buy so many pairs of glasses, I was told that our cost is about $2 each :-)
-Matt
I would like to see the little guy in operation (the kiss), Soldering some stuff up
That could happen as soon as today! - I think we're fully trained (by "we" I mean the real production crew - I was cut from the team for harassing the teacher - it's all here-say I tell you!)
That could happen as soon as today! - I think we're fully trained (by "we" I mean the real production crew - I was cut from the team for harassing the teacher - it's all here-say I tell you!)
-Matt
If you haven't figured out Matt's role it's because he's a free roamer in Parallax. It's not unusual to see him doing anything from installing new lights in the conference room to installing a machine or working with our other engineers on a product design. Guess you could say he has the job we all want. Lucky guy. . .I better get back to my spreadsheets and business software.
It helps that he's a licensed California CONtractor.
Had we tried to facilitate a ten-page punch-list of tenant improvements with outside contractors we would have choked on the first job. Matt makes it easy.
I like to know a little bit about a lot of things - helps me appreciate the depth of knowledge that "real" engineers, or "real" contractors, or "real" company presidents have.
Thank goodness for all of us that I'm not real at all - just a figment of everyone's imagination!
-Matt
If there is any chance at all of dangerous stuff flying through the air, I will be wearing safety glasses. However, OSHA actually does not mandate the use of PPE.
"OSHA requires the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) to reduce employee exposure to hazards when engineering and administrative controls are not feasible or effective in reducing these exposures to acceptable levels. Employers are required to determine if PPE should be used to protect their workers."
Matt,
Now that you've had some time with your new machine, I have a couple of questions. Do you have to insert the components into the PCB by hand prior to installation of the board into the machine or has this been automated as well? Also, do you still have to trim the excess lead length from such components as through hole caps and resistors and is lead length critical to this machine?
Thanks...
Jim...
Hi Jim -
All the lead lengths need to be pre-cut before the components are put onto the boards. And we still need to manually place the components on the boards as well.
Typically what happens is that the operator will be stuffing the components on a board while the prior board is being soldered. This may seem a little slow, but when you consider the fact that doing the whole job by hand required the stuffing of components, and then the flipping of the board upside-down (while not allowing the stuffed components to fall out), and then taking the time to hand-solder each joint - it really does save time.
Plus, once we get the board "dialed in" (the path the solder head takes) it makes for a very good quality "non-hand-soldered hand soldered board".
We'll try to post a video of the whole process soon.
For tall or wobbly thru-hole parts, what do you have to do to stabilize them, if the leads are cut short before soldering, so they don't fall over or float out of the holes? Glue? Special crimp cutters?
Hi Jim -
All the lead lengths need to be pre-cut before the components are put onto the boards. And we still need to manually place the components on the boards as well.
...
-Matt
So the cost savings as stated by the manufacturer may be somewhat exaggerated in that you still need a technician to stuff the board and cut lead lengths without further automation. But then, the technician doesn't have to be as skilled to do that task. Still a fun machine though...
Thanks Matt...
Jim...
So the cost savings as stated by the manufacturer may be somewhat exaggerated in that you still need a technician to stuff the board and cut lead lengths without further automation. But then, the technician doesn't have to be as skilled to do that task. Still a fun machine though...
Thanks Matt...
Jim...
Jim, I agree with your synopsis. The return on investment depends on factors like the ones you mention, plus the size and frequency of production runs. First time through the machine for any product requires setup. Come on over and check it out.
Cost savings is one part, but the more important part is the improvement in quality and consistency. Humans can't replicate the precision and consistency of this kind of machine in high-volume production.
For tall or wobbly thru-hole parts, what do you have to do to stabilize them, if the leads are cut short before soldering, so they don't fall over or float out of the holes? Glue? Special crimp cutters?
For tall or wobbly thru-hole parts, what do you have to do to stabilize them, if the leads are cut short before soldering, so they don't fall over or float out of the holes? Glue? Special crimp cutters?
Yes the leads are cut before board insertion (if needed - except for the cell holders on the Lion boards, all the leads are already the right length).
However, tall or wobbly parts aren't a problem because the board never moves while in the machine, nor does anything touch the board other than the bubble of solder. (The bubble has no "solid-ity" to it).
Therefore, there's nothing "solid" to knock over the tall or wobbly parts anyway. Really, the only delicate part of the operation is moving the board from the "loading rack" to the board holding rails in the machine itself. The board is held "rock solid" during the entire process, once it's in the machine.
Hey all - I got video of Lion Boards on the KISS today! The product is really gonna be real ! Real-Soon-Now...Gotta get home first, then I'll upload the videos - shows the whole process on a *real* product...Yay!
-Matt
Matt, what is that tool you use to depanelize the boards? It looks like you're freehanding the cuts, but there must be some sort of guide to keep the cuts on track, right?
Also, after the boards are washed, is there some sort of dryer they get subjected to. Or are they just left in a rack to air dry?
Matt, what is that tool you use to depanelize the boards?
Think of it as a double-sided pizza cutter. The Arrays come pre-groved, and they nest into a "knife-like" blade rail. Then as you slide the Array towards the double-pizza cutters, they slice it apart.
The machine is motorized (the pizza-cutter wheels), but you can run it "off" as well. This works best when there's components right on the edge of the board - so there's less likely-hood of the Array "getting away from you" as it's sucked into the pizza slice. When the motor is off, you simply push the boards through and they come out nice and clean too.
Comments
Hey, me too! Actually ordered it on the way back from UPEW, somewhere in Oregon I think. As far as the laser, that should be here in early July.
Rich H
This is part of our IPC (Intrepid Production Crew) in class, becoming experts right before our very eyes.
They're writing the program for a sample test board (which just so happens to be the much fabled, eagerly anticipated, rarely seen, and yet wildly sought-after, Li-Ion Power Pack ;-)
The little Bubble of Joy sees daylight for the first time....
Movie of the machine in action to follow...
-Matt
that you would all be wearing SAFETY GLASSES!
I know my teacher makes me were them when I solder in class.
Shame on all of them! errr....us!
-Matt
'
This would really insult me If I was on the staff.
'
I see No Bad company practice at Parallax. This is from an employee of a VPP Star Plant.(See OSHA and VPP)
'
'
I would like to see the little guy in operation (the kiss), Soldering some stuff up.
Are you serious? OSHA mandates PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)
So when Matt get a glob of Hot solder in his eye I'm sure Parallax insurance provider or OSHA is not going to ask about Parallax's PPE program.
All for the price of a 5 dollar pair of safety glasses.
"OSHA requires the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) to reduce employee exposure to hazards when engineering and administrative controls are not feasible or effective in reducing these exposures to acceptable levels. Employers are required to determine if PPE should be used to protect their workers."
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/personalprotectiveequipment/index.html
We take safety very seriously. In my opinion, significantly beyond what is "legally required". I know this to be true, because I live it everyday.
During the cleaning process (where we take the pump apart), all safety equipment should be used, as appropriate. Ove Gloves, and eye protection are the basics.
However, during machine operation (while the boards are being processed), the whole operation is really quite safe (no real possibility of splash / burns etc. (unless an operator overrides some of the safety mechanisms built into the machine).
Beyond any governmental requirements for safety, there's also the "common sense" aspect of machine operation. I, having built multiple custom homes in the past, am really known as Mr. Safety Glasses (ironically). Never do I not wear them if there's even a remote possibility of an accident.
However, safety glasses didn't keep me from walking off the end of a scaffold and breaking my nose - wow, that was a mess!)
So, rest-assured, safety is top priority here!
Actually we buy so many pairs of glasses, I was told that our cost is about $2 each :-)
-Matt
That could happen as soon as today! - I think we're fully trained (by "we" I mean the real production crew - I was cut from the team for harassing the teacher - it's all here-say I tell you!)
-Matt
If you haven't figured out Matt's role it's because he's a free roamer in Parallax. It's not unusual to see him doing anything from installing new lights in the conference room to installing a machine or working with our other engineers on a product design. Guess you could say he has the job we all want. Lucky guy. . .I better get back to my spreadsheets and business software.
Ken Gracey
Had we tried to facilitate a ten-page punch-list of tenant improvements with outside contractors we would have choked on the first job. Matt makes it easy.
Ken Gracey
Thank goodness for all of us that I'm not real at all - just a figment of everyone's imagination!
-Matt
Thank You RDL2004
'
Its just common sense
Now that you've had some time with your new machine, I have a couple of questions. Do you have to insert the components into the PCB by hand prior to installation of the board into the machine or has this been automated as well? Also, do you still have to trim the excess lead length from such components as through hole caps and resistors and is lead length critical to this machine?
Thanks...
Jim...
All the lead lengths need to be pre-cut before the components are put onto the boards. And we still need to manually place the components on the boards as well.
Typically what happens is that the operator will be stuffing the components on a board while the prior board is being soldered. This may seem a little slow, but when you consider the fact that doing the whole job by hand required the stuffing of components, and then the flipping of the board upside-down (while not allowing the stuffed components to fall out), and then taking the time to hand-solder each joint - it really does save time.
Plus, once we get the board "dialed in" (the path the solder head takes) it makes for a very good quality "non-hand-soldered hand soldered board".
We'll try to post a video of the whole process soon.
-Matt
For tall or wobbly thru-hole parts, what do you have to do to stabilize them, if the leads are cut short before soldering, so they don't fall over or float out of the holes? Glue? Special crimp cutters?
-Phil
So the cost savings as stated by the manufacturer may be somewhat exaggerated in that you still need a technician to stuff the board and cut lead lengths without further automation. But then, the technician doesn't have to be as skilled to do that task. Still a fun machine though...
Thanks Matt...
Jim...
Jim, I agree with your synopsis. The return on investment depends on factors like the ones you mention, plus the size and frequency of production runs. First time through the machine for any product requires setup. Come on over and check it out.
Cost savings is one part, but the more important part is the improvement in quality and consistency. Humans can't replicate the precision and consistency of this kind of machine in high-volume production.
Ken Gracey
My money is on hot glue...
Yes the leads are cut before board insertion (if needed - except for the cell holders on the Lion boards, all the leads are already the right length).
However, tall or wobbly parts aren't a problem because the board never moves while in the machine, nor does anything touch the board other than the bubble of solder. (The bubble has no "solid-ity" to it).
Therefore, there's nothing "solid" to knock over the tall or wobbly parts anyway. Really, the only delicate part of the operation is moving the board from the "loading rack" to the board holding rails in the machine itself. The board is held "rock solid" during the entire process, once it's in the machine.
-Matt
-Matt
-Matt
The Lion First Array after being KISSed...
The First Rack of Lion Arrays...ready for cleaning and then testing...
Yay? Yay!
-Matt
-Matt
Matt, what is that tool you use to depanelize the boards? It looks like you're freehanding the cuts, but there must be some sort of guide to keep the cuts on track, right?
Also, after the boards are washed, is there some sort of dryer they get subjected to. Or are they just left in a rack to air dry?
Ja, I know: zo many qvestions!
-Phil
The machine is motorized (the pizza-cutter wheels), but you can run it "off" as well. This works best when there's components right on the edge of the board - so there's less likely-hood of the Array "getting away from you" as it's sucked into the pizza slice. When the motor is off, you simply push the boards through and they come out nice and clean too.
-Matt