Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1538999
42 SMT007 MAGAZINE I SEPTEMBER 2025 The Rise in Odd-form Demand Several market trends are driving the increase in odd-form placement requirements: • Electrification of vehicles: High-current con- nectors, bus bars, and heat-dissipating mod- ules are common in EV power distribution and battery management systems • Industrial applications: Rugged designs for manufacturing floors and outdoor environments require components with strong mechanical integrity and resistance to vibration • Defense and aerospace electronics: Regu- latory and safety standards often mandate through-hole connections for mission-critical reliability In many cases, these aren't parts left over from older designs; they're intentional design choices. The component geometry, insertion force, and solder joint reliability are driven by performance requirements. The Limitations of Manual and General-purpose Solutions Without dedicated placement systems, odd-form placement usually falls into one of two categories: 1. Manual insertion. This can work for proto- types or small batches, but scaling to even medium volume introduces problems such as inconsistent quality, increased labor cost, and physical demand from operators who perform high-force and/or repetitive insertions. 2. Adapted SMT machines. Though some SMT placement platforms can handle certain odd- form components, they usually cannot han- dle the unique feeders and nozzles required by odd-form components for accurate pre- sentation and placement. What Dedicated Odd-form Equipment Adds Odd-form placement systems solve these problems by design: • Custom tooling: Nozzles and feeders are designed to handle and present non-standard components, including asymmetrical connec- tors, heat sinks, or mechanical parts with deli- cate housings • Insertion control: These systems are designed to measure and apply precise force during insertion, ensuring the part seats com- pletely without causing excess stress • Alignment: High-resolution cameras and laser-based centering systems ensure correct orientation and lead position before placement. In many instances, these systems can identify bent or misaligned leads • Feeder versatility: The system supports tray, bowl, tube, and other custom feeders, enabling it to present a wide range of components to the machine • Repeatability: As with most automated equipment, once programmed, the process is identical across shifts and production runs, eliminating variability from human operators S M A RT AU TO M AT I O N