Chipsetter kickstarter launches
Hamilton, ON, September 27, 2016 – After more than two years of development, Chipsetter is excited to announce the launch of the Chipsetter ONETM, the first industrial grade desktop pick and place machine designed for today’s innovators. Robotic pick and place machines automatically place surface mount devices (SMDs) onto printed circuit boards to make the modules that are used in nearly all electronic products. Offering features previously found only on factory floor pick and place machines costing tens of thousands of dollars, the Chipsetter ONE makes rapid hardware prototyping an affordable reality. Electronics developers will no longer be forced to choose between tedious manual assembly or costly contract service providers.
By enabling automated inhouse assembly, the Chipsetter ONE desktop pick and place machine provides complete control over assembly cost, turnaround time and quality. The idea for Chipsetter ONE was born when Chipsetter founder Alan Sawula was an undergraduate Mechatronics Engineering student at McMaster University. As an active member of the maker community, Sawula was familiar with the challenges inherent in prototype circuit board assembly. Inspired by how desktop 3D printers were empowering designers by turning their ideas into objects quickly and inexpensively, he imagined a similar solution for electronics. After earning his Master’s degree, Sawula’s work on the project accelerated. By 2015, he had recruited a small team of engineers, incorporated the company, and been awarded a development grant by the Ontario Centres of Excellence. Having honed the design of Chipsetter ONE through three generations of prototypes, the team is now turning to the crowdfunding platform Kickstarter to finance full production.
“The Chipsetter ONE is the tool we’ve always wanted.” says Sawula. “As makers ourselves, we know that great ideas come from everyone, but without access to the right tools those ideas will never exist. Fast and affordable assembly of small batches of electronics is the last remaining barrier to unlocking the next era of electronics development. We hope that those who share our excitement about this next stage in the desktop manufacturing revolution will support our Kickstarter campaign.”
Highlights of Chipsetter ONE:
● Placement speed: Up to 1250 component placements per hour.
● Minimal Setup time: Control software uses builtin cameras to automate system setup.
● Placement accuracy: 30 microns repeatability.
● Vision System: Board fiducial and Component alignment.
● Part sizes: Handles components down to 0402.
● Board sizes: Up to 13.5” x 10”.
● Pickup Heads: Two pickup heads for increased placement speed.
● Nozzle rack: 8position auto tool changer eliminates operator intervention.
● Tape and Reel Feeders: Removable electronic feeders enable pickup of tape and reel packaged components in 8mm, 12mm and 16mm reel widths.
● Feeder capacity: Up to 40 8mm Tape and Reel Feeders.
● Trays: Accepts JEDEC and custom trays.
● Cut Tape Trays: Accepts components in sections of cut tape.
● Tube Feeder: Accepts components in tube packages.
● Machine size: 34” wide x 28” deep x 21 1⁄2” high.
● Assembly Data: Control software reads BOM and centroid data from CSV format files, and communicates with the machine via standard USB interface.
The Chipsetter ONE desktop pick and place system, including ten feeders and eight assorted vacuum nozzles, can be preordered directly from Chipsetter for US$5999. Additional reel feeders are available for preorder at US$99 each. Starting September 27, a limited number of units will be offered through Chipsetter’s Kickstarter campaign starting at US$3499.
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About Chipsetter:
Chipsetter Inc., based in Hamilton Ontario Canada, designs and manufactures electronics assembly equipment. Its products help circuit designers and low volume manufacturers build high quality assemblies quickly and affordably. In September 2016, Chipsetter launched its first product, the Chipsetter ONE desktop pick and place machine. Learn more at http://www.chipsetter.com.
Contact:
For more information about Chipsetter and Chipsetter ONE, please contact
David A. Gilmour
Business Development Manager, Chipsetter Inc
Email: david@chipsetter.com
Office: +1(289)7682270
Press kit: http://goo.gl/G3r5BH