Summary： An open-source, manual pick-and-place machine for PCB artisans
Pixel Pump is an open source vacuum pump for manual SMT assembly with a pen, a foot pedal, RGB LED buttons and a variety of functions that can make the process interesting. It is suitable for both individual prototypes and small production runs.
Pixel Pump has five stainless-steel nozzles with different sizes, the outer diameters ranging from 0.3mm to 1.8mm. So this device has the ability to pick and place most SMD and components. Nozzles are secured by luer lock slip fitting for quick nozzle changes, while also being widely compatible with third-party nozzles. And the pen can be attached to the Pixel Pump magnetically.
Tactile silicone buttons with RGB backlighting completely control the unit. The operation modes can be controlled between high and low-power, or activate reverse mode to clean your nozzle. These button also enable you configure things like vacuum power and LED brightness.
Pixel Pump has a pressure-relief that can dump vacuum to ensure quick release of part when you release the foot pedal. Or you can configure the valve to switch from suction mode to pressure mode, which quickly and easily cleans the nozzle in case you have accidentally sucked in debris like solder paste.
A sintered air filters protect vacuum pumps and valves from debris that may be drawn into the system. And it's easy to clean and reuse.
In addition to individuals and organizations for one-off prototypes, Pixel Pump is also ideal for small production runs. It is very easy to use and is actually faster than automated pick-and-place machines for small batches, especially when combined with SMD magazines.
Our SMD Magazines are injection molded containers for SMD tape, which used to store components and display them for picking. You can use standard 10mm wide stickers to label the contents of each magazine, which makes organizing a breeze.
Each SMD magazine can hold up to 8 magazines for you to pick up and place their components by using the Pixel Pump. You can also use these rails to group components for specific projects. They feature non-slip rubber feet and are weighted for extra stability.
Each Pixel Pump has a foot pedal, but you may need another at times. In addition to switching modes and power settings, the second foot pedal provides hands-free control of the iBOM app. iBOM generates an HTML rendering of your design, including a list of each section, which can be useful when manually picking and placing components. With the assist foot pedal, you can seamlessly advance from one component to another while keeping your eyes and hands focused on their current task.
