An effective method to compare the two machines is to go to each vendor's nearest demo facility. Go there with PWBs, components and board data. Find out from each vendor what the minimum board data they'll need- like X-Y Centroid, Theta and Reference Designator in ASCII text. Try to have p/ns within the board data too. Send nothing in advance! Oh, they'll ask for it all right, but don't do it. Choose a board that is not too complex w/ high-component counts, but not too simple. If you have boards w/ components right up to the edges, bring that one. If you don't have an "ideal" board, then take one that is complex w/ high-component count but only bring some of the components, the most difficult ones of course. Try to use all the feeder types, like tape, tube and tray. Your goal should be to be in and out in the same day. Show up at their door with the kit and have them show you the process to program, setup and changover the machine from soup-to-nuts. If you are an EMS company, this is a good simulation of what actually happens in your everday life. I am concerned if you'll get a balanced response from posters in this forum. Pretend you're from Missouri. SHOW ME!
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