Recent posts

#71

RV Hardware / total noob with an RV1s

Last post by StevePCB - May 19, 2024, 04:16:13 PM

Hi, new member here who bought an RV1s about 5 years ago (seller said it was still in use up to the sale) which due to other commitments has sat in the corner ever since. I also have an SMTech reflow oven and a Dima Dotmaster dispenser. I've never used any p+p machine before so I've got a bit of a learning curve ahead with not only the machines and software but also the general process and workflow. Reading through this forum makes me realise just how much I don't know, so the curve now seems even steeper!

My RV came with a Win98 PC with all the software loaded, so at least that's a start. After cleaning the cpu heatsink and treating it to a new blob of thermal compound I've turned the PC on, it seems ok (after removing the Soundblaster card to cure an address conflict... that brought back memories!) and after a bit of random fiddling with feeder settings the machine seemed to home, pick up nozzles and run an existing program, at least until it seemed to notice there were no parts being picked.

I'll go through the steps in Mike's pinned post on what to do as a new owner of an old machine, but beyond that what would people advise as to the best way to gradually test the machine out and ease myself into familiarity with all the steps involved, from a starting point of total ignorance?

Is there a user manual for the RV1s anywhere here?.. I couldn't see one. Is the RV4s much different in terms of operation?

#72

RV Hardware / Re: RV4s rewire

Last post by LeoBodnar - May 14, 2024, 09:41:45 PM

I have a lot of pictures but they are mostly of details while I was working on repairs or servicing local parts. Let me know what you are interested in.

#73

RV Hardware / Re: Feeder communication

Last post by LeoBodnar - May 14, 2024, 12:10:39 AM

I had a look at the code of the original feeder driver and I can see the commands in the form of 0x66 0x02 0x4y 0xkk,
where kk is a lane number plus 10 (i.e. 10 to 19) decimal.

It seems to have much longer delay before withdrawing the pin after tape advance.

Is this supposed to help not disturbing the tape until after pickup head took the component off?

Leo

Hokay... here goes.

Comms to the feeders is one way. PC talks to the first feeder its connected to, which then resends the data it received on to the next feeder. This isn't ideal as it adds a lag (albeit very small) and means that if that feeder is turned off or fails it then blocks data to the feeders down stream.

From my notes, baud rate is 9600, N-8-1.

To request an index, PC sends 0x66, 0x02, 0x4y, 0x0z.

Where y defines the feeder bank address: bank A = 1, B = 2...  ...H = 8.

And z defines the lane address as follows:
0 = Lane 0
1 = Lane 8
2 = Lane 7
3 = Lane 6
4 = Lane 4
5 = Lane 3
6 = Lane 2
7 = Lane 1
8 = Lane 9
9 = Lane 5

Can't explain the somewhat random relationship of lane addresses - like many things with the RV you just accept that's how it is!

Any data received by the feeder while its in the middle of actioning an index is ignored (very helpful) which means it can then get out of sync and end up discarding the next index command too. Ever clicked the index button too quickly when loading tapes and wondered why you have to click it 3 times for it to index? Thats why.

#74

RV Hardware / Re: RV4s rewire

Last post by Mike - May 12, 2024, 03:24:24 PM

I'd be interested to see some pics of the QPlacer internals - mostly just curiosity, but might be of interest to anyone else that comes across one, not that there are likely to be many ou there.
 

#75

RV Hardware / Re: RV4s rewire

Last post by LeoBodnar - May 11, 2024, 06:36:21 PM

I don't know what RV4 head looks like but I have been looking at replacing QPlacer head PCB and the connectors were really poorly made. IDC crimp did not cut through the wire insulation in 3 out of 4 places. In fact it popped out while I was handling it.

The choice of using IDC connectors for high dynamics moving machinery is surprising.
Leo

Before rewiring I'd try changing all the connectors in the path to that motor - IMO a connector is a more likely issue than a wire.

#76

RV Software / Re: QPlacer information and he...

Last post by Mike - May 06, 2024, 06:24:47 PM

I don't know anything about Qplacer but Wouldn't sueprise me if there are similarities to the earlier RV1s/4s so could be worth looking through the documenation for that

#77

RV Software / Re: QPlacer information and he...

Last post by LeoBodnar - May 05, 2024, 09:53:30 PM

Here are some training videos I have managed to convert from Genesis installation package.
They only cover BOM and Gerber import and matching components to Gerbers.
Sadly, further operations (PCB references, Step and repeat, Feeders assignment, PNP Setup, Placement, Inspection) are not covered in any help materials I could find.

Leo

Converting BOM
CAD file Programming
Loading Gerbers 1
Loading Gerbers 2
Tracks To Pads
Gerber Placement
CAD Placement
Creating Package Type

#78

RV Software / QPlacer information and help

Last post by LeoBodnar - May 03, 2024, 08:40:08 PM

I am looking for any help, advice, dcumentation or hints on how to operate a QPlacer.

I have just reassembled a machine that we bought after it has developed an unknown fault. I have never seen it in operation and the owner can't give me much advice either. This is going to be quite an adventure.

From what I have learnt it uses the same or very similar feeders as RV series.
Software is called Genesis and runs on Windows XP. Its help system is only 20% finished - it only has help on importing BOMs and Gerbers but all the feedres allocation, machine setup and operation help chapters are empty.
Video capture is via PCI card PXC200AL-00.
Machine control is via a single RS232 link.
Many files in the Genesis package refer to QPlacer as "RV5".

Here are the links to Genesis v1.08 and PXC installation packages I have found on the PC it came with:
https://leobodnar.com/qplacer/Genesis-1.08.zip
https://leobodnar.com/qplacer/PXC.zip

Does anybody use it? Does anybody have any info on it?

Cheers
Leo

#79

RV Hardware / Re: CL feeders on RV

Last post by trev - April 05, 2024, 06:42:56 PM

Today I pushed through with an actual build. I did 1900 components in total and the feeders worked really well. This was a mix of paper and plastic tape. They all worked great. 

https://youtu.be/SAtt8Z9p8Kw?si=0atCEg5JaawddgL1

I am trying to figure out how to document the build as it got quite involved. I might put it all on GitHub and provide a link.

#80

RV Hardware / Re: CL feeders on RV

Last post by trev - April 04, 2024, 10:15:38 PM

Getting there slowly. Ironing out a few things but cl feeder is working.

https://youtube.com/shorts/2iVKTT58kOs?si=msGTPVX7_IefT1JM