Any recommendation about SMT machines?

Question

Since I and my friend wanted to start small batch production, we hope to get some suggestion from you guys about SMT production line, including a solder printer, a PnP machine and a reflow oven. But we don't have too much budget, does anyone have any experiences with cheap but stable SMT machines before? Any suggestion is appreciated!

Best regards,

Vector

Former Member · Accepted Answer

Olimex is a company in Bulgaria that sells new and used equipment; leaning more toward small shops. You might be familiar with their boards (Element14 sells some), but they also sell manufacturing hardware. They're an open source company that may be more willing to help than the guys who want to sell 100,000 Euro PnP machines. They'll also be more knowledgeable than an importer about processing and equipment.

I'm in the U.S., and not familiar with their equipment sales, but they produce some very good products themselves (I've use some of their boards). You can check out some information from them at https://www.olimex.com/wiki/SMT-PRODUCTION .

pettitda · Answer

I once did a small batch of PCB assemblies by hand placing solder paste, hand placing components, and then using a toaster oven with a temperature controller to reflow the board. If you figure in the labor cost for the man-hours of effort required to do this, we ended up paying many times more for this batch of boards than we would have by going to an assembly house. I won't do that again. Find a local assembly house and contract them to do it for you.

michaelkellett · Answer

I don't know the other two machines in that kit but the little reflow ovens don't have a good reputation - Google its model number and you'll see what I mean. I wouldn't (necessarily) buy though Ebay - check out Aliexpress and you'll often get the same thing for a better price, and more choice. If it is convenient for you to visit Germany you could check out www.smallsmt.biz - I haven't used their stuff but you will be able to talk to the guy who runs the business much more easily than with the Chinese sourced stuff. MK

Any recommendation about SMT machines?

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