Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1466505
20 SMT007 MAGAZINE I MAY 2022 with multiple-size balls on it. Variable pitches between rows and columns are more of a chal- lenge to program. Cameras and Vision Systems Johnson: How do vision systems help in these small component situations? Bennett: For each component package type, the camera is programmed to recognize the components based on their shape. e chal- lenge with the more densely populated boards is the time it requires to program a machine to handle all the various pack- age types. At the machine level, extra time is required to debug a program due to the variety of packages. Johnson: So, complexity, variety, and packages create significantly more labor on the front end during job setup. Is that the biggest time sink overall as far as labor goes? Bennett: We program each job offline, so while a current job order is running on the SMT line, we're programming an upcoming job order that will be scheduled to run a few days later. During a setup with a large quantity of feeder inputs and multiple package types, the poten- tial for extra debugging time increases. If there are discrepancies with component dimensions programmed offline vs. the actual component loaded onto the machine, it will add more time to debug the program during setup. We do our best up front to locate datasheets with compo- nent dimensions before it gets to the produc- tion level. Matties: Package discrepancies and lighting issues must make learning a component tricky. Does increased camera resolution help? The inside of a random access matrix tray handler showing the elevator and tray handling unit.