PCB Loader and Unloader and their 9 Types

PCB loader and PCB unloader machines are often called PCB traffic control machines. These machines are used to control the pcb traffic, direction, and perform various tasks such as loading and unloading of PCB boards.

Various Types of PCB Board Handling Machines :

Automatic SMT PCB Loader and Unloader

As the name suggests, the PCB loader and Unloader. These devices are used to load and unload the pcb board in the smt production line. Mostly they have a Built it Magazine which holds the Pcb boards, mostly magazines are made of plastic, but some of them are made of Aluminium board to hold the large and heavy boards.

Furthermore, smt loader and unloader are divided into various types such as:

1. Standard PCB Loader and Unloader

SMT PCB Loader: An automated system responsible for seamlessly Feeding of PCBs into the smt production line. 

Equipped with advanced mechanisms, it efficiently picks, aligns, and positions the PCBs to ensure they are properly prepared for subsequent stages of assembly. By automating the loading process, the PCB loader significantly reduces the need for manual handling, streamlining production, and minimizing human error.

SMT PCB Unloader: The PCB unloader serves the opposite function, automatically removing completed PCBs from the smt assembly line. It carefully separates and organizes the finished boards, preparing them for inspection, packaging, or storage. The unloader ensures that the PCBs are handled with care, preserving their quality and preventing any damage during the transition.

Together, working of PCB loader and unloader work in tandem to facilitate the SMT production environment. By automating these processes, manufacturers can increase throughput, maintain consistent quality, and reduce operational costs, all while ensuring a more organized and streamlined production workflow.

2. L-Type PCB Loader and Unloader

An L-Type has an L-shaped body, the loading unit is integrated into the production line, and the magazine is stretched out of the line to save space in the smt production line.

3. Automatic Vacuum Loader & Unloader

This equipment is used in the LED SMT assembly line for handling large boards of various sizes. Vacuum suction is the main source used in these smt loader and unloader machines. They have a clamp that has vacuum suction handles built in it they such as the large LED board.

PCB Size:
400mm * 600mm (max length)
400mm * 1200mm (max length)
400mm * 1500mm (max length)

Schematic Diagram

4. Auto Reel Chip Loader and Unloader

The Reel Chip Loader is a specialized system designed to seamlessly load SMD (Surface-Mounted Device) reels into an X-ray inspection device. This advanced device utilizes X-ray technology to count the chips on the reel with remarkable precision. The X-ray counter detects and analyzes the chips, providing an accurate count to ensure quality control and consistency.

Once the X-ray inspection is complete, the counted reels are then sent to an automatic reel chip unloader. This unloader efficiently removes the reels, ensuring a smooth transition and maintaining the flow of production without any manual intervention. The entire process, from loading to unloading, is automated for enhanced accuracy, speed, and reduced labor requirements, making it an essential part of modern manufacturing and quality assurance systems.

5. Compact board PCB loader

A compact board SMT PCB loader is an automated device used to load compact boards in an SMT production line. It’s small in size and carries less space more suitable for a small pcb assembly manufacturing Unit.

6. Dual Rail PCB Unloader

A smt production line that has dual conveyor line working for high speed production for products such as led display panel module required a lot of smt placement machine, In modern manufacturing hanwha pick and place machine models such as Decan s2 has dual rail and it required dual rail unloader for the unloading of multiple pcb boards.

Check the Schematic Diagram, which shows the dual rail conveyor system.

7. NG OK Automaic PCB Unloader

NG Unloader is divided into 2 sections. First section is for good pcb that have passed the Quality Inspection and are ready to be unloaded, and another section is for defective ones.

A NG means “Not Good.” PCB board can be detected after the AOI inspection, and has a defective board which has been rejected by an AOI “Automated Optical Inspection” Machine for certain purposes, either the board is bad or has some tombstone effect on the placement chip. The board is separated by an NG Unloader.

8. PCB Stacker and Destacker 

PCB Stacker: This device is used to stack multiple PCBs in a neat and organized manner. It automates the stacking process, ensuring that boards are securely aligned and ready for the next stage of production. The stacker helps increase throughput by keeping the PCBs ready for handling and storage, reducing downtime and manual handling.

PCB Destacker: The destacker performs the reverse function of the stacker. It automatically separates and feeds individual PCBs from the stack into the production line, making them ready for further processing. This device is crucial for ensuring a continuous and smooth flow of PCBs into the SMT assembly line, helping to avoid disruptions in the workflow and improving overall efficiency.

Together, these machines automate the handling and organization of PCBs, enhancing the productivity and efficiency of the SMT production line.

9. A Vacuum and Magazine Combination Unloader

A Vacuum and magazine combination loader in an SMT (Surface Mount Technology) production line is a specialized device designed to automate the loading of printed circuit boards (PCBs) or components onto the production line. This system combines two technologies—vacuum and magazine loading—to ensure efficient and secure handling of materials.

Vacuum Loading: The vacuum system utilizes suction to gently pick up and transport delicate PCBs or components. The vacuum ensures that the boards are securely held without damaging them, making it ideal for handling sensitive parts during the loading process.

Magazine Loading: The magazine component of the loader is used to hold multiple PCBs or components in a vertical or horizontal stack. This allows the loader to feed boards into the production line one at a time without manual intervention, helping to streamline the assembly process and minimize downtime.