Hi,
A second hand TP9-2U MYDATA could be picked up very low cost, however it will only load a single component at a time, which could be ok for your jobs. However if your running 0402, I am not sure if that model will do it accurately.
Your machine purchases are going to be totally based on the work you want to do. If your doing larger complex boards with fine pitch, and you must have reliability, then stick to machines that will give you speed and accuracy.
In that case use a lease or something to get the best.
However if your doing simple products, then something like the TP9 would do well, and you could even use some kind of batch oven, and manual pinter, and you would be good to go.
We started the same way, and went from there. Incidentally, if your looking at the MYDATA angle, try and go for a MY series machine if you can afford it, because if your volume increases, and you have more passible components on the boards your doing, the MY series is more upgradable to HYDRA heads etc, which allow multiple picks of passives and are much faster. The TP is a very low cost way to get started, but your stock with quite slow load times.
Good luck. Making things sure is fun!
Regards,
Grant
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