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70 SMT Magazine • May 2015 Types of feeders include: 1. Cut strip holders: usually associated with low-volume. 2. Matrix tray holders: used for compo- nents not available on tape. 3. Tube feeders: dispense components supplied in tubes. 4. Electric tape (and reel) feeders: usu- ally more costly initially, but offer the best long- term investment. Electric tape feeders are avail- able as single units in a variety of sizes, and cov- er the range of 0201 components up to 56mm large components. Many manufacturers now offer a multiple feeder (known as bank feeder). These are usually available for 8mm tape, and can come with up to 8–12mm feeder lanes per unit. Since components are packaged in many forms (e.g., discrete components on tape, quad packs, matrix trays, tubes, cut strips, etc.), your choice of feeders would depend on production, but also on any size restrictions you may have. A good starting point is to purchase the most feeders you can get in the footprint you have available. Vendor Support When evaluating any type of SMT machine, consider factory support to be one of the most important assets of your purchase. The best way to learn how a company treats its customers is by word of mouth. Talk to several customers to find out how happy they are with the machine, the seller, and the support they provide. Where is the manufacturing plant? Can they help troubleshoot alignment issues over the phone? Do they offer field ser - vice? Do they have spare parts in stock for imme- diate shipment? While there isn't much of a used market for manual, machine-assisted or enhanced manual pick- and-place machines, it is still a good idea to ask your supplier about their older machines in the field, if down the road spare parts will be available, and about their capability to cus - tomize a spare part if the machine becomes obsolescent. Ask what the expected life-cycle of the product is. The industry standard is sev- en years. Remember, there is a difference be- tween a true manufacturer and an equipment supplier or distributor. In the next installment, Pick-and-Place, Part 4, I will cover software interface, utilities/pro- gramming, optimization, CAD translation and offline software. SmT robert voigt is vp of global sales at DDM novastar inc. To reach voigt, click here. sMt quiCk tips SELECTING aN aUTOmaTIC PICk-aND-PLaCE maCHINE, PaRT 3 continues Figure 4: Example of a work deck with multiple feeder types and flexible configurations.