The TTC system is directly integrated with the placement machine’s software. This allows critical real-time production data to be shared between both systems yielding numerous benefits. For example, the machine will stop whenever there is a PN related setup error. Holding the machine in cycle stop until the fault is cleared. Integration with the machine’s SW also allows the TTC system to accurately track component consumption, including all miss picks and rejected components, enabling proactive material management. The system issues an alarm when the remaining quantity of components on any reel becomes lower than a set threshold. When a low quantity alarm is issued for an LED, the PFC upstream from the placement machine prevents additional boards from entering the machine.
The operator is prompted to choose between replacing the low reel immediately, or resuming production with the current setup:- If the operator chooses to resume production using the current setup, the system allows one additional PCB to enter the machine.
- This choice makes sense when there are enough LEDs remaining in the low reel for one more PCB, or if the operator has a replacement reel in hand that contains a compatible BIN to the one that is low.
- The error will come back for each subsequent PCB, until the Low LED Qty alarm is cleared.
- The Low LED Qty alarm is cleared when the low reel is removed from the machine and replaced with a new reel.
If there are PCBs within the machine when a reel of LEDs is replaced, the system will confirm that the new reel’s BIN code is compatible to the one it replaced. If by accident the operator used an incompatible BIN, the TTC system will issue an error and trigger the machine’s cycle stop circuit. This makes it impossible for the machine to place any incompatible BINs onto partially populated PCBs. If there are no PCBs within the machine when a reel of LEDs is being replaced, the system will permit any allowable BIN for that product, provided of course that the PN is also correct.