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Due to my recent "migration" to mainly SMD components in my hobby work (and I really wanted to play with some pneumatics) I've decided to make a DIY paste dispenser (using compressed air). The idea was to have everything in one relatively small enclosure (this includes the air compressor and air receiver).
After a lot of digging a good candidate emerged - a compressor for air suspension (the one I used is from BMW E39 wagon). All of the unneeded parts were removed and a new "pressure plate" was made for attaching a hose.
A toroidal transformer is used for powering the 12V compressor. A small extinguisher is used as air receiver and some 24V valves are used for the air "switching" .
the software is roughly complete ... well the preliminary version at least. For now it seems that the device is performing as designed. Soon I will be assembling some smd boards -will test it thoroughly then.
To regulate the pressure a differential pressure gauge (MPX5500) is used. It keeps the pressure across the air regulator at 4 bar (adjustable through sw) with a hysteresis of 2 bars (also adjustable). With a 1 litter air receiver about 35 "clicks" can be made before the compressor starts pumping again.
P.S. The dots that appear to be the same size - used the "automatic" time dispensing.
yes - a bit messy indeed. I couldn't find smaller valves (for reasonable price) so those big lumps ate a lot of space, and one of the main requirements was to be very compact so I can keep it on my desk - mission accomplished .
Yesterday I did a test - I managed to solder about 220 components (0805 and 0603, sot23, sod123 - all in all not very small packages) in 2 hours of work. Much better productivity compared to me with the soldering iron hee hee - and looks much better. Will post pics of one of the assembled boards soon.
Registered Member #1403
Joined: Tue Mar 18 2008, 06:05PM
Location: Denmark, Odense C
Posts: 1968
Another thoroughly well done project by you Huben and a perfect example of how we spend most of our time developing the tools to make the parts we need for our much smaller projects :)
The envy can really be felt when I see your front plates from your own mill.
What does the dispenser head look like that makes the drop?
Registered Member #1143
Joined: Sun Nov 25 2007, 04:55PM
Location: Vilnius, Lithuania
Posts: 721
This is what you can get in 5-10$ stencil, paste dispensing take only few minutes, but component placement take additional hour or two, and my smart solder reflow oven did the rest in 5 min.
Since i make my pcb in OSH Park, from now one i don't spend to much time on soldering :)
Mads - thanks for the nice words I've attached a pic of how the business end looks like. It is a standard 10cc solder paste syringe. The adapter at the end is a standard component (it is the same for 10cc syringes with glue, solder flux etc.). Very cheap from e b a y.
Linas - thanks for the reply You should know that there is more than one way to skin a cat. The boards I assemble are more of a high power stuff, not BGA and 0201. So my needs are for something a bit more crude (don't understand me wrong - I've placed 0402 and I am sure 0201 won't be problem with this dispenser - just use smaller needles). Of course I agree - stencil is the way to go - but why bother for 20-50 even a 100 components for single boards/runs. Dispensing the paste for the board from the pic takes about 2 mins for each side - why bother with ordering and (mainly) waiting and delivery of the stencil ?!?
Registered Member #1143
Joined: Sun Nov 25 2007, 04:55PM
Location: Vilnius, Lithuania
Posts: 721
well, if i order PCB from OSH park, i will order stencil from OSH Stencils, and i will gat stencil first. I developed technique for small runs by simply tinning all contacts with solder iron, and it will give just right amount of solder, but in that case each component should be placed manually.
I just picking on you, we all know that is good tool to have
Add CNC and you will have super solder paste dispenser, i guess you are working on that, right ?
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DIY Solder Paste Dispenser
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