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Recent content by BretMan

  1. BretMan

    Need guidance for custom oven components

    Hello, I'm fabricating a custom thermoforming oven and vacuum table. The table is done and the oven box is made but I'm uncertain about the connections for the electrical components I think will work for it. This oven is meant to form just a few plastic sheets measuring about 33" x 33", for a...
  2. BretMan

    PnP tape for custom part

    That clarifies a lot. I had the impression the reel tapes were expensive so recycling them back into the production cycle made economic sense. But maybe that was for a custom made tape or some other issue. I've learned a lot. I think I can take it from here. Thanks very much for your help...
  3. BretMan

    PnP tape for custom part

    Oookay. That makes sense. Which now leads me to these questions: 1- Inside the plastic cups, is there something to keep the component in precise position or are they just generally loose and only oriented such as top, bottom, left side, right side? I need to keep the wire form in precise...
  4. BretMan

    PnP tape for custom part

    Hello, I have a very small custom wire formed part which is intended for medium to large production runs. The manufacturing process concept is to utilize a pick and place machine to place this tiny flat formed wire onto another part which is plastic. Maintaining the orientation of these parts...
  5. BretMan

    SMT Pick and Place mechanical gripper

    That sounds promising and would simplifies the process. Do you know of any manufacturers of these type of tips? My guess is I'd want them to be made of some soft and conforming material - maybe silicone? Bret Miami,FL USA
  6. BretMan

    SMT Pick and Place mechanical gripper

    Another detail ... all the rods need to be picked up (pre-oriented) and placed, at the same time. Bret Miami,FL USA
  7. BretMan

    SMT Pick and Place mechanical gripper

    The custom vacuum tip sounds like a very good idea. The rods are smooth yet rounded, so I can see a vacuum seal would be hard to attain but if the suction is continual, the tip might hold them long enough until they are placed. Do you know of a company or someone that specializes in making...
  8. BretMan

    SMT Pick and Place mechanical gripper

    In my case there aren't any obstructions to the sides for the gripper claws to bump when they open. Another option is to forgo the grippers and use a bracket pre-loaded with the oriented rods. Then use the usual suction tip to lift the bracket, place it, and with a downward press activate a...
  9. BretMan

    SMT Pick and Place mechanical gripper

    That's a very good point and a worthy obstacle to overcome. The solution could be a matter of changing the vacuum pump to a more powerful one or a lever action in the gripper - if it has to be custom made. Even an electromagnetic mechanism could be configured. I guess I'll keep hunting or just...
  10. BretMan

    SMT Pick and Place mechanical gripper

    Yes, that's right that they almost all use a vacuum suction cup type tip. The same vacuum and release energy can drive a mechanical gripper attachment. My application for these grippers, two pronged opposite of each other, will be for pickup and placement of small bent rods with a horizontal...
  11. BretMan

    SMT Pick and Place mechanical gripper

    Hello, I'm having a difficult time locating a source of mechanical grippers for pick and place SMT machines. Pneumatically activated, lateral grip, mini grippers which would connect to or be a part of a Luer type tip would be preferred. Another option, as a backup plan, would be a mini robot...
  12. BretMan

    Forming fine spring wire

    Thanks again for your clarifications. You've saved me a great deal of time on a subject I've not needed specialized information about for several years. Bret Miami,FL USA
  13. BretMan

    Forming fine spring wire

    Ok. So "annealing" is heat treating the wire which relaxes the wire and reduces the stiffness. Correct? I read somewhere that, a compression spring, is made by winding the wire around a rod, then heating it, then dipping it in oil. What kind of oil? But this may be a different process since it's...
  14. BretMan

    Forming fine spring wire

    That's very good to know too. I looked up pin bender and found this: http://home.earthlink.net/~bazillion/tooling.html So over bending with trial and error, will eventually tell me where to bend it to get the resulting form I need. I do see now this is going to be tricky. I hope I can get the...

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