Overview
This is the LumenPnP Feeder:
The LumenPnP Feeder is an open source SMT component tape feeder that can reliably feed components as small as 0402. It is designed to work with a LumenPnP Pick and Place Machine, but can mount onto any 20mm X 20mm v-slot extrusion. The source can be found here.
The feeder uses the open source Photon feeder controller firmware, and talks the Photon protocol over RS-485 to any Marlin host with RS-485 support.
There are 50 Feeder Slots on the LumenPnP. 8mm and 12mm feeders take up one slot, and 16mm and 24mm feeders take up two slots. You can fit up to 50x 8mm or 12mm Feeders on the front and back rail of your LumenPnP when using two staging plates.
If you'd like to add a third staging plate, you can fit 25x 8mm or 12mm Feeders on the front rail of your LumenPnP.
Parts of the Feeder
Feeder Buttons
Tapping the forward button will make the feeder feed forward 2mm. Tapping the backward button makes the feeder feed backwards 2mm.
Pressing and holding the forward or backward button will drive the tape at full speed.
Pressing and holding both buttons at the same time will toggle between driving tape with long presses, and peeling film with long presses. This is indicated by the inicator light flashing: gold for peel mode, and blue for drive mode.
When in Peel mode, press and hold the forward and backwards buttons to peel or unpeel film.
12mm Version
The 12mm version of the feeder is very similar to the 8mm feeder, but designed for 12mm tape. This version operates the exact same as its 8mm counterpart, but uses a spool guide that acts more like a ramp for mounted feeders below.
16mm and 24mm Versions
The 16mm and 24mm versions of the feeder have a different design, and are loaded a little differently. Also, they take up two slots on the LumenPnP instead of just one slot used by the 8mm and 12mm versions.
Help
If you get stuck, please don't hesitate to use our support form!
Next steps
Before using the feeders, you'll jump ahead to mounting feeders.