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Quad Feeders performance improvement

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#68153

Quad Feeders performance improvement | 10 February, 2013

Recently I posted a query about my Quad IVc align problem. At the same time, I am working with the feeders we have received with the machine. These are from different origins and antiquity. Some are faster than others. The slower ones have discrete transistors for H-motor drivers. A disgusting detail I found is that all have a very inaccurate indexing. The "less worst" ones I selected have a red line on the sensor area and a golden label with a year 2000!!! refurbish date. Anybody know some cheats and tricks to improve their accuracy at least a little? I can't afford a mass refurbishing by now or buy new ones. This is South America, folks!

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#68156

Quad Feeders performance improvement | 11 February, 2013

How are you determining the inaccuracy? Are you unable to pick the part at all? If the parts will pick, you can quad-align them. If they won't pick at all, you'll need to refurb. If you're using small parts like 0402, they do make a special feeder, but it's pricey.

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#68160

Quad Feeders performance improvement | 11 February, 2013

Well, i can divide the inaccuracy in two phenomenons: Poor repeatability, i.e. the pockets don't stop at the same position after every shot by a margin of up to 0,5mm (20mils). The second problem is the stop pocket position, which is not equal from one feeder to another, I found differences up to 1,5mm (about 60mils). It makes difficult the exchangeability, so I gave fixed positions to the selected units (more repeatables and better centered). With these "less worst" selected units I don't feel comfortable picking components smaller than 0603.

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#68161

Quad Feeders performance improvement | 11 February, 2013

When they made those feeders....there were no 0402 parts. If you are trying to place 0402 parts....buy new feeders made for them.

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#68162

Quad Feeders performance improvement | 11 February, 2013

yes, Bob, I agree about that. But I can't afford them by now. But the problem is that I had to reject almost the 50% of the feeders that came with the machine, because are useless even for 1206. I also work with a very old but faithfull Juki, with its simpler mechanic/pneumatic feeders. These are quite more reliable than those pretencious "mechatronic" Quad feeders.

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#68163

Quad Feeders performance improvement | 11 February, 2013

I dont know where you got your feeders at. I have worked on alot of quad feeders and i have never had one that wasnt repeatable enough for 0805 or 1206 parts.

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#68166

Quad Feeders performance improvement | 11 February, 2013

Well, actually both the feeders and the machine were bought "as is", so these are not in their better shape. Even more, the feeders are not the machine's originals and don't match each other ; "Un paisano de cada pueblo", as we say here.

Some units that I have rejected are too uncentered, the tape stops at the center of the sprocket holes instead the pockets after every sensor shot.

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#68168

Quad Feeders performance improvement | 11 February, 2013

I am not a quad feeder mechanic but I woud assume your worst ones are dirty with sticking parts or have worn out parts. Perhaps Scott Heck could help you with parts, scotheck@aol.com I know he rebuilds older factory feeders to work with 0402s and 0201s. Anyone that can do that may be able to supply the parts to repair yours.

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#68170

Quad Feeders performance improvement | 11 February, 2013

I have disassembled and cleaned the most of the feeders indeed. This gave me some improvement on some units.

Thanks for the data, sir.

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#68172

Quad Feeders performance improvement | 12 February, 2013

I hope you realize that you can pocket position the part so that it is in the center of the beam on the feeder. To do this.... 1. press both buttons (light go out) 2. press rear button 3 times 3. Then use front button to position part 4. The press rear button

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#68174

Quad Feeders performance improvement | 12 February, 2013

I didn't knew about this procedure because it doesn't appears in the manuals I have. These are not originals but incomplete photocopies (this is one of many problems of this machine) that I have compiled from other colleagues. I jus received just some verbal instructions about indexing change (I see that it is a similar procedure) from the guy who sold us this equipment. So, Mr. Bobpan, I'm in debt with you (well, my employer indeed) Thank you.

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#68186

Quad Feeders performance improvement | 13 February, 2013

Glad I could help. Good luck with your equipment.

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