The open construction affords a good view of the circuit board and the components, which is further supported by an integrated high-definition camera that can be connected to a PC or laptop (with Windows 7 or higher, via USB). The supplied Windows software offers the option, indicated with two sighting crosses, a convenient way to adjust the potential height differences between the component in the feeder and the PCB, which is sometimes also called parallax compensation.

The working table is provided with a grid of mounting holes, each spaced at 10 mm from each other. This is the same size as the eC-registration system, so that PCBs that have been made by Eurocircuits can be easily and perfectly attached. In free mode all the axes are unlocked and the pick-up tool is free to move across the entire table. It starts the become interesting in array mode.

In array mode the pick-up tool is brought to the location of one of the components in the array. Using the foot switch the position of the x-axis is now locked. After releasing the foot switch the pick-up tool can be moved freely to pick-up components from their feeders. When the pick-up tool is then moved in the direction of the locked x-axis position, it 'clicks' in place at the 'programmed' location and you can place the components along the entire y-axis on the PCB.

In the copy-paste mode this is expanded to both axes. The operation is as follows: the stencil that was used for applying the solder paste is now used as a template and using the eC-registration mounting holes is perfectly positioned on the work surface. The components are now placed in their correct locations on the stencil (the pins or solder balls will drop neatly into the holes). Using the foot pedal the distance between the stencil and PCB is determined. The pick-up tool can now be held above a component, the y-axis is locked using the foot pedal, the component is picked up and moved along the x-axis where it stops at the predefined x-distance and placed perfectly on the PCB. This is demonstrated in this video:



The lock mode finally fixes both the x- and y-axes, so that components can be easily rotated and positioned without the pick-up tool moving. This does, of course, requires that the pick-up tool has picked up the component in exactly the middle.

After becoming 'accustomed' a little to the operation you will have quickly master the process and even placing BGA packages becomes a piece of cake. Take note: the eC-placer is more easily operated right-handed than left-handed. The machine is completely ESD safe and the stable construction guarantees a long service life with little play and therefore accurate and professional operation. The complete specifications can be found here. If you are so impressed that you would like to order one immediately, then you can do that here. But if you would like to find out more first, the take a look at the videos below.