Development of the surface mount assembly process through an angular board orientation

• Published in: International journal of production research Vol. 36; no. 7; pp. 1857 - 1881
• Main Authors: Moyer, L. K., Gupta, S.M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group 01.07.1998
• ISSN: 0020-7543; 1366-588X
• DOI: 10.1080/002075498193002

This paper proposes a methodology to improve the process time required for the component placement process of the printed circuit board assembly with an X-Y positioning table. The methodology is applied to a previously published subproblem as well as a real-life working board configuration. Even with high speed assembly machines placing in excess of 40000 components per hour (cph), process improvements are possible. Concentrating on the path planning portion is a valid method to increase efficiency, but as the problem approaches optimality, the planning process essentially becomes counterproductive due to the time and effort required. This paper presents an algorithm for system time improvement for use after a board placement path is established. In order to take advantage of the machine's capability to move the positioning table along each axis simultaneously, the board is physically rotated with respect to the positioning table. This paper steps through the theoretical development of a method to determine the proper angle of rotation, first for a regular 'rectangular' board configuration, and then for a more applicable 'general' configuration.