BULK COMPONENT FEEDING Key drivers User benefits Issues & Barriers Process Production environment Feeder designs Components Industry effort (Bulk Feeding Summit Group) Bulk feeding methods Universal bulk feeding solutions GSM HSP

The industry acceptance and growth of bulk feeding will present a win-win-win opportunity for all three parties... Component suppliers Equipment (machine/feeder) suppliers Customers/users (OEM and CEM)

Key Bulk Feeding Drivers Component Geometry Standards (right now, there are none) Improved feeder designs (right now, there are many different ones) Higher machine utilization (right now, can be good.. or bad) Issue resolution (flipped resistor, component damage) Success with Bulk Feeding (depends on previous drivers)

Benefits of Bulk Feeding Improved machine utilization Faster / easier component replenishment Increased line throughput less maintenance Increased factory capacity Higher on-line component count Reduced cost storage / transportation direct labor / material handling component (unit) Better for the environment (tape waste, etc.) recycling opportunities Better board quality (cleaner process) solder joints Lower component attrition rates Better pick/placement accuracy

Issues & Barriers PROCESS ISSUES Resistors can be placed upside-down Component polarity Learning curve for production staff Component verification / validation PRODUCTION ISSUES Feeder jams Component quantity per package Two part numbers (tape & bulk) Mixing components in the feeder Some CEM customers will not supply (consign) bulk parts Component availability / limited suppliers Bulk handling capability varies, vendor by vendor FEEDER DESIGN ISSUES Design template Feeder track dimension tolerance Speed Reliability Ability to handle resistor chips Short mean-time to repair (clear a jam) Machine upgrade / investment costs COMPONENT ISSUES Dimensional tolerances / standardized geometry Component damage Bulk component cost (versus taped parts) Standardized packaging (case, bag, etc.)

Bulk Feeding Summit Group Consists of: Component suppliers Equipment suppliers Users (OEM & CEM) Goals: To agree on standards component dimensions & tolerances packaging (case, bag, hopper, etc.) To develop supporting documents “best practices” (to avoid component damage, optimize performance, etc.) study/report focusing on the resistor “upside-down” issue study/report focusing on the effect of moving & vibration on bulk fed components

HSP Bulk Feeder Development Status (April 1999)