Category: Article

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Do you have customers who are willing to simplify the Axial automated insertion process, speed up machines, lower preventative maintenance (pm) downtime and ppm levels and generally reduce manufacturing costs?  If so, then this paper may interest you.

Universal Instruments Corporation is currently working to customize tooling for customers who have evolved their manufacturing processes to two and three step processes for Axial insertions, thereby dedicating machines to run a limited range of components.  In step one for example, a machine inserts only 5mm insert spans and then in step 2, a second machine inserts various wire diameters.  This is a radical change from the current manufacturing philosophy of fully populating a board in one pass through a machine.  However, history has shown that by limiting the range of wire diameters inserted and then designing tooling to specifically handle that range, the manufacturing process becomes more controlled, insertion performance improves, pm downtime and ppm levels decrease and ultimately, manufacturing costs decrease.

Admittedly, this approach is not viable for every customer.  Universal offers a variety of tooling configurations that if used according to specification, will provide excellent insertion performance.  A customer may have no need to run a wide range of wire diameters or they may want to revisit their manufacturing process to make improvements.  For those customers, Universal offers customized tooling for dedicated applications.  Customized tooling will handle a limited range of wire diameters to optimize insertion performance and maximize tooling life.

This paper discusses the relationship between tooling design and  wire diameter range of inserted components with the goal of creating an awareness and understanding of this relationship and it’s significance.

2.0 FACTORS AFFECTING THIS RELATIONSHIP

2.1 Depth of V-Groove of Outside Former

One important factor affecting the relationship of tooling design and range of insertable wire diameters is the depth of the V-groove of the Outside Former.  Our current specifications for Axial tooling are as follows:

Metric equivalents are bracketed

* Not entire width but dimension from edge of Driver Tip to side of Outside Former

When the wire diameter is smaller than the depth of the V-groove of the Outside Former, the lead has excess space and moves within the V-groove.  This uncontrolled condition leads to a ‘weak’form. 

 V-groove with Small Lead Diameter

When the wire diameter is larger than the depth of the V-groove of the Outside Former, the yieldable Inside Former flexes to make room for the bigger lead.  Continual flexing causes the O-rings to wear out which leads to a ‘sloppy’Inside Former and ‘weak’forms.  Outside Formers have been known to split at the V-groove from continual stress.  Long term, continual flexing will damage the Tooling Housing by loosening it and making it ‘sloppy’.  

 V-groove with Large Lead Diameter

The optimal condition is wire diameter equal to the depth of the V-groove of the Outside Former.  In this condition, the lead is large enough so that is does not ‘move’within the V-groove, and yet it does not continually flex the Inside Former.

 V-groove with Optimal Lead Diameter

When Standard tooling is compared to 5mm tooling, it becomes clear why 5mm tooling is less reliable when inserting components with large lead diameters than Standard tooling.  

The depth of the V-grooves vary by .010”(0.26mm) and yet the range of wire diameter is very similar.

2.2 Radius of V-Groove of Outside Former

Another factor is the radius of the V-groove of the Outside Former.  The V-groove is actually a radius of .016”(0.41mm) for all tooling types except large lead tooling which is .019”(0.49mm).  Because this is a radius, not a diameter, the optimum lead size for this size radius is .032”(0.82mm)  This radius creates a situation that allows a small wire diameter to ‘roll around’or be uncontrolled in the groove.  A true V-groove improves this condition by creating a 2 point contact.  

2.3 Body Length to Insertion Length

Body length to insertion length is another critical issue in this discussion.  The bigger the gap between the component body and the bend of the lead, the more room there is for the insertion tooling.  As the Driver Tip descends, it can damage a component body that is too long for the specified insertion span.  Clearance is also needed for the Inside Former coming beneath the bend of the lead.  A bend too close to the component body can also cause damage.  Maximum body length is obtained with the following formula: 

Programmed Z-Span = Insertion Span + 1 Lead Diameter

Maximum Body Length (clearance between Driver Tips)

= Insertion Span + 1 Lead Diameter – 2 x Depth of Outside Former V-groove – 2 x Driver Tip Thickness 

Do not use components with body lengths at the maximum length.  Allow .020”(0.51mm) on each side of a component body for clearance and to account for tolerances.

2.4 Driver Tip Position

During a component insertion, the Driver Tip rests on the horizontal surface of the lead.  When a lead has a ‘weak’form, the Driver Tip rests on top of the bent portion of the lead.  As the Driver Tip tries to push a component through the holes of the pc board, it has a tendency to ‘slide off’a lead, leading to a standup or failed insertion.  This is true of 5mm tooling because of its small Driver Tip.

3.0 SUMMARY OF ABOVE CONDITIONS

· Wire diameters significantly smaller than the depth of the V-groove of the Outside Former are uncontrolled within the V-groove.  This is caused by one point contact and excess space, which leads to a ‘weak’form and poorly controlled insertion.  Small lead components without a ‘crisp’form are also at risk of misinserting because the Driver Tip may ‘slip off’the lead, while pushing it through the pc board.  This condition is seen most often with 5mm tooling.

· Wire diameters significantly larger than the depth of the V-groove of the Outside Former continually flex the yieldable, Inside Formers causing premature tooling wear-out of the Inside and Outside Formers as well as other parts of the tooling.

· Acceptable component body length varies with Z-span, but clearance is required for the Inside Formers and Driver Tips during insertion so the component body is not damaged. 

4.0 OPTIMAL CONDITIONS

To optimize insertion performance and maximize tooling life, it is best to limit the range of wire diameters inserted with any tooling selection, keeping in mind the optimal wire diameter is the same size as the V-groove of the Outside Former.  For example, if the wire diameter range of a particular application is .018”- .022”, a .020”V-groove is optimal.  This eliminates the problems mentioned above and allows optimal tooling life, process control and low insertion ppm.  

Making use of the squeeze function when writing pattern programs can also help.  If a component lead diameter is small in relation to the V-groove of the Outside Former, the squeeze function can improve a ‘weak’form.  The squeeze function is also useful when inserting steel leaded components as they tend to have a memory after the forming process.  It also helps insert components with long bodies and a small insertion span.

Allow clearance on each side of a component body so there is room for the insertion tooling.

Consider dedicating a manufacturing line to a particular application for optimal performance and then customize the tooling for a small range of wire diameters.  Universal offers customized tooling for dedicated applications.  Customized tooling can include the following items, as needed:

2 point contact in V-groove of Outside Former based on an optimum lead diameter

Increase size of Outside Former footprint for a more robust design

Improved bent lead input insertion capability