We have been working on improving the software and we finally installed the new nozzle system using Juki 500-509 nozzles. Next month we will be able to ship over 6 new VisionBot models with improved speed and Juki Nozzles.
In the mean while, Dave from MegaPoints Controllers filmed an old version of VisionBot assembling 200 x 0805 components (resistors and leds) on his product. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUQbfDFJrF4 Dave did not receive the new upgrades yet. Here are the PCB assembled by Dave less than one week of using the VisionBot machine.
The maximum height is 10 mm. The Z axis is 20 mm. We can also presonalize the Z. We introduced software scripts that imports automatically from Altium, Cadence OrCAD, Cadence Allegro, KiCAD, CadSoft EAGLE and CSV. We started to manufacture the machines. Unfortunately, we don't have the machines in stock. We think that throughout the next month we will manufacture and finish 2-3 new machines. We decided also to use the Juki nozzles and the Juki Nozzle holder This picture was taken 2 days ago when he had packed everything for shipping a VisionBot 32 PnP. The machine will arrived by the end of the weekend to Waverley, United Kingdom.
The VisionBot with 24 automatic feeder selling price is 3000 USD/Euro + shipping. In Europe the shipping price can be even 200 USD. No customs tax and no VAT for legal EU entities (except in Romania, where our national customers have to pay VAT) because we manufacture these PnP Machines in the European Union. We are trying to finish the calibration and to ship one of our units to UK next Thursday in Waverley, Cheshire close to Manchester . Probably next month we will be able to ship up to 3 new units and to include the paste dispenser in the VisionBot Pnp Machines.
We created a new VisionBot Pick and Place machine that will be shipped in one week and half to an awesome client from United Kingdom, based in Waverley. I had updated the old pictures from the topic with these new VisionBot PnP pictures.
I have updated the picture showing a new VisionBot 32 unit. In one week, we will ship this VisionBot 32 Pick and Place machine to a national customer from Romania.
Here is a test of VisionBot Pick and Place machine that is using Top On Fly Vision and Bottom Vision
Guys, we had done a huge progress so far. I changed pictures from the 1st post because the pictures were very outdated and that machine, our first prototype now it is obsolete. I attach you more pictures.
Precision for X Axis - 25 µm, Precision for Y Axis 12,5 µm Working Area: 200 x 250 mm Automated feeders 24 - 16x8mm, 4x12mm, 4x16mm
Tray Component - more than 50-80 components from SOIC8 to TQFP128 3 Nozzles - 0.30mm, 1mm, 2,5 mm with - Run Time/Automatic Nozzle Changer Vacuum control based on Microcontroller and the desktop software controls the vacuum. Vacuum Pump 220V - VH115N - 1/5 HP life time 10.000 hour For: Europe FREE Vacuum tank 20 litters inox - limited numbers Motors X,Y,Z 1.8 degree/Step: NEMA17 for R Axis NEMA8 for feeders NEMA11 0.8A - 24PCS X, Y, Z mgn12 liniar rails low-cost from CHINA
2X Advanced Computer Vision (Top with Digital Microscope, and Bottom with HD Camera that includes zoom and auto-focus),
Auto self test, On Fly Computer Vision for Top Digital Microscopes, Python Scripting, Power Self-Test X,Y,Z Standard drivers for CNC machines 1/16 - TOSHIBA TB6560 For 24X automated Feeders - 24x Standard drivers for 3D printers DRV8825 The electronics from the machine is complete optical separated. 2x18v/5A POWER SOURCE 2x DC-DC converter with Voltmeter Clippard Vacuum Valve USB hub Full schematic - MORE 50 LED FOR EASY SERVICE Full step algorithm for setting
Can be upgraded manually with another identitical feeder system - extra.
Probably in one month we will ship to our first customers - first national and then international the VisionBot 24x, 48x, 96x machines.
We spent more than 7,000 euro in building our Production Line for the SMT PnP Machines. Monday, I will depart to present VisionBot in Mumbai, India at INK Talks. We will manufacture the VisionBot machines in Romania, European Union and not in China. Unfortunately, I am not very good at public communications for the simple reason I am a geek maker. We are very close to finish the production line once we will receive all of our goods and required components for building the VisionBot machines. Until now, we received a very professional Bernardo Lathe for Fine Mechanics and a Bernardo Vertical Mills. We started the assembly of the first 7 units in our “garage”. Very soon, we will upload a totally new video showing the VisionBot 2.0 machine that will be our official product.
Thank you very much for your message. Definitely, there is a lot of interest shown in the Pick and Place world to modernize the old and very expensive machines that were introduced many years ago in the market. Definitely they are many makers, hackers and electrical engineers in the world who can hack an existing machine to use our advanced software. Because we are just a small company in Romania, we just want to focus on releasing our affordable solution, the VisionBot SMT Pick and Place machines. Personally, I am quite amazed about how well built are the SMT P&P Nozzles and how precise they are.
@sam512bb Thank you very much for your reply. I really appreciate your message! Definitely there is a real market of people who payed a lot of money to aquire old and professional Pick and Place machines including Juki, Zevatech, Samsung, Suzuki etc... I surfed the whole internet to find the standards of those Pick and Place machines. I believe, there is no such thing as standardization in the Pick and Place world. Although I saw hundreds of Youtube PnP videos, unfortunately I have never worked/seen on a Pick and Place machine except VisionBot SMT PnP(I am 21 and I am a programmer). Actually, 2-3 months ago, a friend of mine from Romania asked me the same question, to upgrade his old PnP machines to use my Computer Vision software. His machines were not standardized and it is very hard(if not impossible) to customize all the world PnP machines to work with one control software. I know the task to upgrade the control software is quite simple: understanding the firmware communication and adapt my control Software to use the PnP machine communication. That task is very easy, but in the same time you have to buy the old PnP machines, to create them a kit(because you need to upgrade also the metal profile) for using digital microscopes/cameras.
Our dream is to bring to the world affordable professional Pick and Place machines. With VisionBot anybody can start in their garage a small electronic factory with 3000$.
Tomorrow, we will receive our first lathe and vertical mill in order to get ready for real on-site production.
We are developing the software and hardware for SMT Tray by allowing VisionBot to pick SMD components from Tray. Today, I took a picture in the VisionBot garage :)
As I stated in the first post, in the last week I had been working to include Python Scripting mode into the VisionBot Pick and Place machine. Until now we included interfaces for Python to work with the Machine System, Centroids list, Parts List, Feeders List and the Computer Vision Algorithms. In the following days we will also include more options to enable our users to work directly with the VisionBot Gerber editor and to give you more flexibility. I think, now VisionBot is the only P&P machine that allows Python scripting . I also implemented Intellisense(auto-complete) and very soon Python elementary debugging.
Hey guys, I am Alexandru. I am working to design VisionBot which is an affordable Surface Mount Technology assembly shooter that can be used to place about 2,500-3,000 SMD chips onto Printed Circuit Boards for PCBA. Practically the VisionBot machine will enable the dream of millions of electrical engineers, hackers and makers just like me and you to assembly electronic devices in their own garage. One week ago we changed VisionBot design from using a needle to advance the cut tape with automatically feeders. And right now, I was implementing the feature to enable you guys by allowing your own scripts in Python that will be executed by VisionBot.
VisionBot is still in the beta testing and in a few months it will be available to the makers through our website and maybe a crowd-funding platform. Using advanced Computer Vision, VisionBot is avoiding electronic waste and is professionally assembling Printed Circuit Boards. It is estimated that VisionBot will be able to assembly about 75,000 electronic boards per year.
Although, VisionBot is compatibile with standardized files like RS-274X Gerber files, the machine works also with the classical CSV files. VisionBot will enable the dream of many makers who want to turn their homemade prototypes into industrial products by starting an electronic production.
VisionBot Main software showing the Gerber Editor
Two pictures of the VisionBot machine
The pictures are from our first VisionBot prototype. Now, we are designing VisionBot 2 and probably in two months we will start the production of VisionBot in the European Union.