Possibility of a cheaper pick and place machine design?

Hi

(I don't know if this forum is the best place to post something like this, but I don't know of other places on the internet, so... sorry if I'm in the wrong place)

Might there be an easier way to add components (e.g. computer chips) to a circuit board? I'm mean a slower but maybe more convenient machine.

First, put a small magnet on the circuit board. The small magnet can be moved around by if we pull it with a large magnet underneath the circuit board. The large magnet underneath may be mounted to moving parts, controlled by a machine.

Second, drop a computer chip on the circuit board. Using a video camera, a computer program can locate the chip, and push the chip to it's correct location by moving the small magnet, using the large magnet.

Once everything is in place, you could keep spraying the circuit board with glue until all the chips and other components sinks in.

Note...

Maybe the small magnet should have low friction, because it presses against the circuit board and you don't want it to scratch the circuit board too much. Maybe the small magnet should be shaped like a cross or a hash so it can push components easily. Maybe it can have four "hands" which look like--

. . \

. . . .\____________________

. . . . ____________________|

. . . ./

. . /

(a funnel)

so that it can move many components at a time.

Maybe the inner walls of each "hand" can have high friction, so some components will get stuck and each "hand" can only be unclogged if the magnet moves in a specific angle. The inner wall friction is equivalent to a grab and release ability.

When it is finished with one circuit board, the magnet can push it off the workarea and pull in the next circuit board from a stack. The magnet could climb on and off the circuit board using a ramp with a flap. To pull in the next circuit board, it may hook to a rubberband or string band that's taped to the circuit board. When it runs out of chips/components, it can also pull in more components (in paper trays) from outside the workarea.

The process might be very messy. Most components may fall off the workarea, so many trays of components are needed.

Another problem is that bits of glue may miss the circuit board and hit the workarea instead. Perhaps a sheet of paper should cover the workarea. Also, the magnet may stay clean by taking cover under a tent.

Another problem is that some computer chips and other components may be attracted to the magnets... perhaps in those cases the magnet can still push them from a distance, using a long shovel as a tool.

The magnet might be able to wield another useful tool: the silver ink pen, for drawing circuits on boards. How do we hold the pen upright? Perhaps we can give it "training wheels" like the ones on a bike--except longer, and with tiny wheels.

One possibility: the magnet holds the pen tip deep inside one of its "hands." Also in the "hand" is a small ramp. To draw a line with the pen, the magnet simply pushes the pen; to move the pen without drawing a line, the magnet moves in a special direction to push the pen onto the ramp.

Finally, the most difficult components to add will be push buttons. How do you spray a sea of glue on one without jamming the button? Maybe instead of gluing down the button directly, you could surround it with hood shaped plastic parts (made by 3D printers), and glue those down to secure the button. To prevent any glue from falling on the button itself, maybe you can add a 3D printed umbrella tent to cover it.

Will the suggestion work?

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