Samsung vs. Yamaha vs. Fujifilm surface mount Technology (SMT) machines: What are the differences in working principles?

Have you ever wondered how the densely packed electronic components on the motherboards of mobile phones, computers and electric vehicles are "stuck" on? The answer is - the placement machine (also known as the SMT placement machine). In this industry, Samsung, Yamaha and Fujifilm can be regarded as the "Big Three", each having its own unique capabilities. Today, let's talk about the differences in working principles among these three major brands of surface mount technology (SMT) machines. Once you understand this, you can avoid detours when choosing equipment and configuring production lines!

To put it simply, a surface mount technology (SMT) machine is a combination of "robot + eyes + suction tubes + arms", used to suck out small electronic components such as resistors, capacitors, and IC chips from the material tape and then accurately attach them to the circuit board (PCB).

The entire process is divided into several steps

1. The machine recognizes the position and Angle of the components
2. The suction nozzle sucks the component
3. The machine adjusts its posture
4. Precisely stick it to the designated position
5. Move on to the next one. The efficiency is astonishingly high. It's a piece of cake to post tens of thousands of points in an hour.

Let's start with Samsung. Its surface mount technology (SMT) machines have a good reputation in medium and high-speed production lines, especially the SM series and Decan series.

• Multi-nozzle system: Samsung often uses the "rotating head + multi-nozzle" combination, which can suck up many components at once, improving efficiency.
• Linear motor drive: The X/Y axes are generally driven by linear motors, which feature high precision, fast speed and low maintenance.
• Visual system optimization: In the middle, the camera will recognize the Angle of the component. Some models also have flight recognition (recognition is completed while the component is in motion), further saving time.

• It is suitable for medium and large-sized EMS contract manufacturers, mobile phone motherboard factories, users with large production volumes, stable product batches, and high requirements for speed.

Let's take a look at Yamaha, a long-established Japanese powerhouse. Its mechanical structure design is very meticulous and is particularly suitable for the production of multiple varieties and small batches.

• Single-arm multi-head mechanism: The early classic models used a single arm with multiple suction nozzles. Later, the YSM series also began to support multi-module combinations.
• Fixed lens + mobile suction nozzle: When the suction nozzle moves, recognition is done through the fixed lens. In this way, the visual system does not need to move back and forth, and its lifespan is longer.
• The feeding system has strong compatibility: It supports various oddly shaped components, such as 0201, BGA, and irregular plug-in parts, etc.

• Yamaha machines have many detailed functions that are very friendly to adjusters, such as quick alignment and adjustment, long suction nozzle life, and low suction failure rate.

• It is suitable for enterprises with high requirements for mounting accuracy, diverse product types, and high production line flexibility, such as automotive electronics, medical equipment, industrial control boards, etc.

FUJI is the "Rolls-Royce" of the surface mount technology (SMT) machine field. Many major manufacturers choose it for their core production lines. It is indeed expensive, but it is also truly outstanding.

• Modular design: Fujifilm's NXT series adopts the concept of "one module, one function", which can be freely spliced, expanded and upgraded.
• Flight visual recognition system: Identify components during movement without wasting a single moment.
• The servo control system is extremely precise: the action of the suction nozzle, the placement action, and the movement of the board are all controlled by the servo system, with errors as small as the micrometer level.
• Fast response speed: Although it is a high-speed machine, it has strong abnormal handling capabilities, with almost no missing points or incorrect pasting.

• Fujifilm equipment also features AI-optimized placement paths, automatic material throwing recognition, and an automatic maintenance early warning system, making it highly suitable for the automated operation of "dark factories".

• It is suitable for motherboard manufacturing plants with extremely high production volume and high precision, as well as international-level contract manufacturers (such as those that produce for Apple), and is ideal for large-scale work!

If you are a newly established factory with a limited budget and want to run a production line first, Samsung is a cost-effective choice.

If you mainly deal in high-value-added electronic products with a wide variety and small batch sizes, Yamaha is truly the best partner for the "flexible type".

If you plan to go all the way and aim for high-end production lines, pursuing ultimate automation, zero downtime and zero misalignment, then Fujifilm has no need to hesitate.

There is no such thing as "who is the best" for a surface mount technology (SMT) machine; there is only "who suits you better"! Once you understand the working principle and choose the right surface mount technology (SMT) machine, your production line can run faster, more steadily and for a longer time!