Analysis of Causes for Pick-and-Place Machine Nozzle Pickup Errors by Nozzle Manufacturers

Nozzle manufacturers analyze the causes of pickup errors in pick-and-place machine nozzles as follows:

1. Nozzle Wear and Tear

Nozzle wear, deformation, clogging, or damage leads to insufficient air pressure, resulting in failure to pick up components. Regularly inspect the wear level of nozzles and replace severely worn ones promptly.

2. Influence of Feeders

Poor feeder feeding performance (such as damaged feeder gears), incorrect alignment of tape holes with feeder gears, foreign objects under the feeder, worn snap rings, or deformation/rust of tape pressure covers, springs, and other moving mechanisms can cause component misalignment, standing, or pickup failure. Conduct regular inspections and maintenance to avoid excessive component waste.

3. Insufficient Vacuum Pressure

When the nozzle picks up a component, a certain negative pressure is generated at the nozzle to adsorb the component. Negative pressure detection is generally used to determine abnormal pickup: the machine recognizes normal pickup if the detected value of the negative pressure sensor is within a specified range, otherwise, it is deemed a pickup failure. A vacuum pressure of over 53.33kPa is required during component pickup to ensure sufficient suction. For insufficient vacuum pressure, regularly check the vacuum system, clean nozzles periodically, and inspect the contamination of vacuum filter elements on each placement head (which filter the air supply to the nozzle). Replace blackened or contaminated filter elements to maintain unobstructed air flow. (Source: Shenzhen Jinshiwang Technology SMT Home)

4. Impact of Pickup Height

The optimal pickup height is for the nozzle to press 0.05mm downward after contacting the component surface. Excessive pressing depth may push the component into the tape pocket, resulting in pickup failure. If a component has poor pickup performance, appropriately adjust the pickup height upward (e.g., by 0.05mm). In practical applications, the author encountered poor pickup of all components on a specific feeder; the solution was to slightly increase the pickup height parameter of that feeder in the system.

5. Defects in Nozzle or Component Packaging

Quality issues in chip component packaging produced by some manufacturers—such as large pitch errors of sprocket holes, excessive adhesion between paper tape and plastic film, or undersized pockets—may cause pickup failure.