Week 17 - Applications and Implications

Answer these question about Final Project

What will it do?

My final project is automation of PCB through-hole plating machine. Currently one must be involved in the process and move the blank pcb by hand as it goes through 5 separate process phases. To make it automated would let the pcb manufacturer concentrate on other tasks while the through hole plating system would take care of itself.

Who's done what beforehand

All these type of through hole plating machines are manually used. For high through put factory pcb manufacturing plating machines are different type. I have not come across this type of through hole plating machine automated.

What materials and components will be required?

Main parts for the automation will be:

  • Support structure to attach the mechanics to through hole plating machine. Done at week 7
  • Main lateral move track. Must be ready 1.6. latest.
  • Main lateral mover unit Must be ready 1.6. latest.
  • Vertical mover unit. Must be ready 8.6. latest.
  • PCB holder mechanics. Must be ready 8.6. latest.
  • Stepper motors and screws. Available already.
  • Stepper motor controller electronics (2x). Must be ready 10.6. latest.
  • Network bridge from computer to machine electronics. Must be ready 10.6. latest.
  • Power and network distribution electronics. Must be ready 10.6. latest.
  • Cables and connectors. Must be ready 10.6. latest.
  • Electronics casings. Must be ready 8.6. latest.
  • Enbedded software and application software. Must be ready 10.6. latest.

Preliminary general BOM:

  • Wall structures
  • stepper motors
  • electronics
  • linear shafts
  • trapedzoidal screws
  • electronics housings
  • cables
  • 3D-printed strucures
  • 2D-laser cut structures
  • Nuts and bolts

Where will they come from?

Most of the parts will be designed and manufacture locally using Fab Lab equipment. Electronics componets and stepper motors will be from Fab Lab inventory. Some mechanics like slides and screws have to be ordered separately.

How much will it cost?

Price for prototype is calculated on final project page and is 404,41 Euro.

What parts and systems will be made?

  • Main support
  • All mechanics to the mover parts
  • Most of electronics is made locally
  • Cabeling and casings are made locally
  • Enbedded software and application software

What processes will be used?

  • CAD desing parts, produce production files
  • Material procurement
  • Laser cutting
  • 3D-printing
  • Cutting with Roland and Rensi 2.5D-milling machines
  • Electronics design
  • Electronics production
  • Electronics assemply with soldering iron etc.
  • Software writing and testing
  • Testing electronics and software
  • Assemply of machinery
  • Testing

What tasks need to be completed?

  • Design parts with CAD software. As soon as possible,
  • Design electronics with pcb CAD software. Must be ready 10.6.
  • Assemply of electronics and mechanics. Must be ready 10.6. latest.
  • Enbedded software and application software writing. Must be ready 10.6. latest.
  • Testing of hardware and software. Before presentation, on week 24.
  • Documenting it all. Document as you go!

What questions need to be answered?

How do I do all these things so that they can be done and that they work? What type of moving mechanisms I use. Is electronics distributed or single unit, how does cables run. How big movement is needed for each axis. How long it takes to run the system. What type of interface do I have to make to run the machine?

What is the schedule?

Deadline for completion is 21.6.2017. Before that I will first finish the mechanics and see if they work manually run. After that I will finalize the stepper motor electronics as they are partly done earlier. After assemply of mechanics, main task is to make software work correctly. Finally cabeling and fine tuning of software and testing the system will occur.

How will it be evaluated?

At the end of process, I will see if it will be working as expected and if it manages to do what it is made for. Main issues are if mechanical movers work manually and automated. If the application software works as designed and if the system will manage to run a full test run of the through hole plating process cycle.