During the last three years, the development in hardware used for automatic assembly of printed circuit boards has progressed tenfold over the previous decade. The improvements have created a strong justification for automation, but have also placed the actual hardware far down the list of important considerations when implementing an automated process. The areas gaining in relative importance are those of circuit board design, circuit board and component volume, inventory control, and, of course, the actual costs of manual versus automatic assembly.
In an attempt to offer guidelines to others purchasing automatic insertion equipment, the text defines, and where possible includes, Honeywell San Diego Division's experience in a step-by-step process of implementation.
