CNC Taig Mill Solder Paste Dispenser

[Mulder8472]

hi, i have a 3d printer with one free head left.... what mechanism do you use to dispense the solder paste? is it a valve/compressor type of thing?

[SteveCiciora]

@Mulder8472 I use an EFD model 1000XL that I got surplus. It's a pneumatic dispenser. Inside it's just an air pressure regulator, solenoid valve and 555 timer to adjust how long it applies air pressure every shot. The valve is 3 way; it either applies pressure to the syringe or vents it to atmospheric pressure so it doesn't keep oozing... I'm working on revamping this and my pick and place conversion and set myself a deadline of publishing it all by July. Check back for details!

[Mulder8472]

@SteveCiciora cool, thx! i saw similar pneumatic dispensers on ebay from china. I already have a airbrush compressor, maybe i can use that instead, would just need a valve. my printer has 2 aux channels which can be controlled in gcode which could control the valve.

[SteveCiciora]

@Mulder8472 I typically run mine at 30 to 40 psi, and the volume of air required is very low. You might find a small air tank as a buffer helpful. What 3D printer do you have, and what to you mean by "with one free head left"? If you find a source of cheap valves, could you let me know? I've been using surplus ones I've had forever, but I expect a lot of requests for where to find them. Thanks!

[Mulder8472]

@SteveCiciora i have a dual head BFB3000. it can carry three extruders, so one spot is free which i want to use for alternative things, e.g. solder paste extruder. if i find a valve, i will let you know, but might aswell start like you with a ready made dispenser.

[Mulder8472]

@Mulder8472 one more thing, how do you create the gcode?

[SteveCiciora]

@Mulder8472 I use CadSoftUSA's Eagle PCB cad software, with a ULP I modified to output coordinates of the centers of each pad (and I think the pad area so I can decide how long to apply paste). Then an ugly LabVIEW program to process and generate G-Code. I hope to re-write it all in Python before July, but I'm working on my PicknPlace software first. Contact me after you get your setup putting down paste and we can work together on cleaning up the software... until then, PnP first...

[Mulder8472]

@SteveCiciora hi, just send you a video response. hacked a little prog today that parses gerber files and then creates gcode for my printer. I sticked a pen to the printer to see how it works... see the video. using gerber save me modifying a ULP and is also program independent, e.g. also works with gEda, not only eagle. the paste screen files have all the coordinates for the pads in them, was straight forward.

[HumanityWins]

thats one annoying windows sound

[sc0rpi0n0]

I really love the idea. Very inspiring.

[rellik331]

faster by hand

[SteveCiciora]

But not nearly as cool... I agree, if only doing one PCB, then not worth the effort. But when doing dozens, it is applying paste while my other machine is placing parts, and I get time to reply on comments on my YouTube videos. It's much faster now; my cheap stepper motors were limiting me.

[SteveCiciora]

@rellik331

Thanks! It's been a lot of fun. My software/mechanical skills have improved since this video, and I'm planning on re-visiting the project soon. Right now the procedure is a bit too user-unfriendly to help others try to reproduce what I did. I hope to change that.

[09fod]

it runs on Windows xp lol

[mike478911]

Interesting...did you program using Master Cam or something similar for all the holes and leads? What equipment did you use for the soldering dispencer?

[McGuywer]

I hear a Windows message sound after each shot. lol

[rasoros]

You've got mail!

[nanogear]

Precise but a little sloooooow

[paulie1982]

What is the circuitboard for or what do u manufacture?

[Flayron]

Wants one of those, would be needed :)

[faborzon]

Amazing! @_@