The formation of PCBA families and the optimization of station loading for sequencers

Abstract

A SEQUENCER is a machine which arranges different axial leaded components from various input reel packages into a single reel package of sequenced components. The various input reel packages are mounted onto the loading stations of a sequencer. As each sequencer has a limited number of component loading stations, change-over time is incurred whenever a PCBA to be produced requires a component that is not already mounted on any of its loading stations. These change-over time incurred is proven to be large when the sequencer is to cater for a high diversity of PCBAs, especially in the current low volume but high diversity batch production environment.