Title: VisionBot - a European Union SMT Pick and Place machine
Post by: alexandru on July 27, 2015, 07:42:15 pm
Post by: alexandru on July 27, 2015, 07:42:15 pm
Hey guys, I am Alexandru. I am working to design VisionBot (http://http://visionbot.net/) 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.
Do you have any suggesions to improve VisionBot SMT Pick and Place machine (http://http://visionbot.net/)? In 2 weeks we will upload a new Video showing everything
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.
Do you have any suggesions to improve VisionBot SMT Pick and Place machine (http://http://visionbot.net/)? In 2 weeks we will upload a new Video showing everything
Title: Re: VisionBot - a European Union SMT Pick and Place machine
Post by: alexandru on July 31, 2015, 09:03:34 pm
Post by: alexandru on July 31, 2015, 09:03:34 pm
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.
Title: Re: VisionBot - a European Union SMT Pick and Place machine
Post by: alexandru on August 13, 2015, 04:23:28 pm
Post by: alexandru on August 13, 2015, 04:23:28 pm
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 :)
Title: Re: VisionBot - a European Union SMT Pick and Place machine
Post by: alexandru on August 31, 2015, 04:44:23 pm
Post by: alexandru on August 31, 2015, 04:44:23 pm
Hi guys,
We implemented the Auto-Fiducials align Software.
We did a full Youtube video review of the software http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=332&v=zPiAdxN6PNw and how the VisionBot works with complete Compute Vision
(http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPiAdxN6PNw)
We implemented the Auto-Fiducials align Software.
We did a full Youtube video review of the software http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=332&v=zPiAdxN6PNw and how the VisionBot works with complete Compute Vision
(http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPiAdxN6PNw)
Title: Re: VisionBot - a European Union SMT Pick and Place machine
Post by: alexandru on September 14, 2015, 10:36:50 am
Post by: alexandru on September 14, 2015, 10:36:50 am
Hey everybody,
We released a new major update to the software. I successfully implemented the PCB panelization option.
A screenshot of the VisionBot PCB Panelization Software
Using our PCB Panelization Option, we have created the electronics of VisionBot P&P Machines.
We released a new major update to the software. I successfully implemented the PCB panelization option.
A screenshot of the VisionBot PCB Panelization Software
Using our PCB Panelization Option, we have created the electronics of VisionBot P&P Machines.
Title: Re: VisionBot - a European Union SMT Pick and Place machine
Post by: alexandru on September 26, 2015, 02:35:07 pm
Post by: alexandru on September 26, 2015, 02:35:07 pm
Today, we released a new Youtube Video showing VisionBot On Fly Computer Vision PCBA Test of multiple 0603 Resistors. I hope you enjoy the video!
(http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WwxjAUMlYs)
(http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WwxjAUMlYs)
Title: Re: VisionBot - a European Union SMT Pick and Place machine
Post by: sam512bb on September 28, 2015, 12:13:38 am
Post by: sam512bb on September 28, 2015, 12:13:38 am
Good day alexandru,
Excellent and very impressive work!
This is just an off the cuff thought... but why do you not offer some type of retrofitting service and/or kit for those users of older mainstream PnP machines (Juki/Zevatech, etc)? I say this, as there are a lot of older PnP machines that would truly benefit from the control software you have created...
On a secondary note, perhaps standardizing on some existing older PnP feeder mechanisms would also save you from having to reinvent the wheel. The benefit to your firm is that the current feeders are widely used, supported, and typically made to a very high quality.
As I said, I am just mentioning the above, as I think there is a large market for "upgrading" the older PnP machines with newer and better featured control software.
Cheers,
Sam
Excellent and very impressive work!
This is just an off the cuff thought... but why do you not offer some type of retrofitting service and/or kit for those users of older mainstream PnP machines (Juki/Zevatech, etc)? I say this, as there are a lot of older PnP machines that would truly benefit from the control software you have created...
On a secondary note, perhaps standardizing on some existing older PnP feeder mechanisms would also save you from having to reinvent the wheel. The benefit to your firm is that the current feeders are widely used, supported, and typically made to a very high quality.
As I said, I am just mentioning the above, as I think there is a large market for "upgrading" the older PnP machines with newer and better featured control software.
Cheers,
Sam
Title: Re: VisionBot - a European Union SMT Pick and Place machine
Post by: alexandru on September 28, 2015, 09:50:29 am
Post by: alexandru on September 28, 2015, 09:50:29 am
@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$.
Tomorrow, we will receive our first lathe and vertical mill in order to get ready for real on-site production.
Our dream is to bring to the world affordable professional Pick and Place machines. With VisionBot anybody can start in their garage a small electronic factory with 3000$.
Tomorrow, we will receive our first lathe and vertical mill in order to get ready for real on-site production.
Title: Re: VisionBot - a European Union SMT Pick and Place machine
Post by: sam512bb on October 03, 2015, 06:06:55 pm
Post by: sam512bb on October 03, 2015, 06:06:55 pm
Good day alexandru,
Thank you for your response! Indeed, I recognize the challenges in doing what I am proposed given the lack of standardization on the drive (X-Y-Z, etc) circuitry of the various manufacturers. However, I was thinking more of a generic approach... i.e. supplying the front end portion with documenting the Input and Output requirements... and thus leaving the connections/electronics of connecting to the PnP machine in the hands of the user. Obviously the User/purchaser of your "kit" would have to have a certain skill st, etc but I do believe there are people capable of doing this... I know I could do it and I am sure that there are others equally or even more capable.
Why I even mention it is because there was a lot of engineering that went into the older equipment feeders, etc... and these feeder mechanisms are built ridiculously well... and for high reliability, longevity, etc. Secondly, the feeder assemblies are very well supported and can be found anywhere (suppliers, Ebay, etc).
Anyway, just a thought...
Cheers,
Sam
Thank you for your response! Indeed, I recognize the challenges in doing what I am proposed given the lack of standardization on the drive (X-Y-Z, etc) circuitry of the various manufacturers. However, I was thinking more of a generic approach... i.e. supplying the front end portion with documenting the Input and Output requirements... and thus leaving the connections/electronics of connecting to the PnP machine in the hands of the user. Obviously the User/purchaser of your "kit" would have to have a certain skill st, etc but I do believe there are people capable of doing this... I know I could do it and I am sure that there are others equally or even more capable.
Why I even mention it is because there was a lot of engineering that went into the older equipment feeders, etc... and these feeder mechanisms are built ridiculously well... and for high reliability, longevity, etc. Secondly, the feeder assemblies are very well supported and can be found anywhere (suppliers, Ebay, etc).
Anyway, just a thought...
Cheers,
Sam
Title: Re: VisionBot - a European Union SMT Pick and Place machine
Post by: alexandru on October 03, 2015, 09:27:00 pm
Post by: alexandru on October 03, 2015, 09:27:00 pm
Hi Sam,
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.
Best regards,
Alexandru
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.
Best regards,
Alexandru
Title: Re: VisionBot - a European Union SMT Pick and Place machine
Post by: alexandru on October 10, 2015, 11:20:19 pm
Post by: alexandru on October 10, 2015, 11:20:19 pm
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.
Title: Re: VisionBot - a European Union SMT Pick and Place machine
Post by: alexandru on October 25, 2015, 11:24:08 pm
Post by: alexandru on October 25, 2015, 11:24:08 pm
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.
Technical data
Probably in one month we will ship to our first customers - first national and then international the VisionBot 24x, 48x, 96x machines.
Technical data
Code: [Select]
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.
Title: Re: VisionBot - a European Union SMT Pick and Place machine
Post by: alexandru on January 11, 2016, 01:53:16 pm
Post by: alexandru on January 11, 2016, 01:53:16 pm
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
(http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewQUH6qBHEM)
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewQUH6qBHEM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewQUH6qBHEM)
Output
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52fK5Ej-88I (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52fK5Ej-88I)
(http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52fK5Ej-88I)
Here is a test of VisionBot Pick and Place machine that is using Top On Fly Vision and Bottom Vision
(http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewQUH6qBHEM)Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewQUH6qBHEM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewQUH6qBHEM)
Output
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52fK5Ej-88I (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52fK5Ej-88I)
(http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52fK5Ej-88I)
Title: Re: VisionBot - a European Union SMT Pick and Place machine
Post by: alexandru on March 06, 2016, 12:36:46 pm
Post by: alexandru on March 06, 2016, 12:36:46 pm
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 (http://http://www.visionbot.net/) pictures.
Title: Re: VisionBot - a European Union SMT Pick and Place machine
Post by: supertronic on March 07, 2016, 06:59:32 pm
Post by: supertronic on March 07, 2016, 06:59:32 pm
Hi Alexandru,
congratulation you finished your project.
What's the price of your new machine?
Best regards
Michael
congratulation you finished your project.
What's the price of your new machine?
Best regards
Michael
Title: Re: VisionBot - a European Union SMT Pick and Place machine
Post by: alexandru on March 12, 2016, 10:56:02 am
Post by: alexandru on March 12, 2016, 10:56:02 am
Hi Michael,
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 (http://http://visionbot.net).
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 (http://http://visionbot.net).
Title: Re: VisionBot - a European Union SMT Pick and Place machine
Post by: royco on March 18, 2016, 09:56:32 am
Post by: royco on March 18, 2016, 09:56:32 am
Hi Alexandru,
What is the maximum height of the component the machine can pick up? I might have missed it in the previous post.
Currently using a TM240 and the 3mm max component height is starting to be a hassle.
Are these machines built to order or are there units in stock?
Thanks
What is the maximum height of the component the machine can pick up? I might have missed it in the previous post.
Currently using a TM240 and the 3mm max component height is starting to be a hassle.
Are these machines built to order or are there units in stock?
Thanks
Title: Re: VisionBot - a European Union SMT Pick and Place machine
Post by: alexandru on March 18, 2016, 05:55:39 pm
Post by: alexandru on March 18, 2016, 05:55:39 pm
Hi royco,
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 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.
Title: Re: VisionBot - a European Union SMT Pick and Place machine
Post by: alexandru on April 04, 2016, 09:50:58 pm
Post by: alexandru on April 04, 2016, 09:50:58 pm
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 (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.
(http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUQbfDFJrF4)
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 (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.
(http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUQbfDFJrF4)