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AMR solutions by industry

PCB and SMT manufacturing

AMRs that keep SMT lines supplied and work in progress moving between processes.

PCB and SMT plants move a constant stream of reels, magazines, trays and boards between the store, SMT lines, inspection, test and packing. Most of these trips are short, frequent and done by hand on every shift. AMRs for PCB manufacturing take over this handling: lifting AMRs move carts and racks between processes, and mobile manipulators handle magazines and parts at the stations. All of them follow tasks from your MES on one dispatch system.

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Common challenges

  • Frequent product changeovers mean many small deliveries of reels and feeders to each SMT line
  • Work in progress waits between SMT, AOI, test and assembly when operators are busy elsewhere
  • Manual handling of magazines and trays risks drops, mix-ups and gaps in traceability
  • Operators spend a large share of each shift walking carts instead of running equipment
  • Night shifts are hard to staff for repetitive transport work

Flows we automate

  1. 01

    Component supply to SMT lines

    Lifting AMRs bring reel and feeder carts from the component store to the line and return empty carts when the MES or a call button requests it.

  2. 02

    WIP transfer between processes

    Racks and carts of boards move between SMT, AOI, test and assembly automatically, so lines are not waiting for a person to collect them.

  3. 03

    Loading and unloading at stations

    Mobile manipulators transfer magazines, trays or boards at test and inspection equipment where parts need handling, not only transport.

  4. 04

    Finished boards to packing

    Completed batches go from the end of line to packing or the finished goods area on a schedule set by production.

How AMRs fit a PCB plant

Robots navigate by laser SLAM using existing walls, columns and racks, so SMT halls usually need no floor changes. The dispatch system receives tasks from your MES, PLC signals or call buttons at each line, assigns the right robot and manages traffic and charging across the fleet.

During the site survey we review cart designs, ESD and cleanliness requirements, Wi-Fi coverage and traffic around the lines, then simulate the flow before installation.

Typical results

In a typical process-transfer project, lifting AMRs connected to the MES cut handling labor by about 65%, ran 24 hours a day and went live in 9 weeks. These are values from comparable projects. Your proposal gives an estimate for your own lines.

Frequently asked questions

Which robots are used in PCB and SMT plants?

Mostly lifting AMRs for carts and racks between processes, and mobile manipulators where magazines or parts must be loaded at equipment.

Can AMRs take tasks from our MES?

Yes. The dispatch system connects to MES through standard interfaces and also accepts PLC signals and call buttons at the line.

Do you check ESD and cleanroom requirements?

Yes. We review your ESD and cleanliness rules during the site survey and reflect them in the proposal and the robot configuration.

How long does a PCB plant pilot take?

A pilot usually goes live in 6 to 10 weeks, starting with one line or process area before scaling.

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AMR solutions by industry

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