Accurate PCB calibration is the foundation of successful SMT assembly. Once your board is secured on the fixture, the machine relies on reference points to determine its exact position and orientation. This guide will walk you through the PCB Calibration page in XAuto Control, explaining both automatic and manual calibration methods to ensure perfect placement accuracy every time.
- Basic Knowledge
- Page and Function Introduction
- Auto Calibration
- Manual Calibration
- Origin Calibration
- Panel Auto Calibration
- Panel Manual Calibration
Basic Knowledge tip
After the PCB is placed on the fixture, the machine cannot know the position of the PCB. We correct the placement deviation of the PCB by finding the reference points. Reference point calibration is divided into two types: manual and automatic. Automatic calibration usually uses mark dots or metallized vias. In advanced applications, silk screen or square pads can also be used. Manual calibration generally uses components on opposite corners and manually sets the position for calibration.
The following picture shows how to set the calibration method. By selecting the component type, the component can be set as a manual reference and an automatic reference.
Page and Function Introduction
Auto Calibration
Recommendation Level ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Board Height Z: The distance from the nozzle to the PCB. This value can be measured by moving the nozzle (must be a negative value).In the new version of the software, this has been modified to the thickness of the PCB. The height from the PCB to the fixture has been calibrated at the factory, so you only need to enter the PCB thickness to know the distance from the nozzle to the PCB.
Origin: Move the camera crosshair to the PCB origin position and click "Get Camera Position" to obtain the coordinates. If the PCB placement direction is inconsistent with the drawing direction, you need to enter the rotation angle (90, 180, 270) in the R value field.
Scanning Range: The maximum radius for scanning the mark point with the camera crosshair as the center.
Mark is the reference point number we set, and the diameter of the reference point needs to be set for correct identification. For special-shaped or special environments, we can also use package recognition. For specific tutorials, please refer to the video.
Manual Calibration
Recommendation Level ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Move to the center of the reference components we set respectively, then click "Get Camera Position", and then click "Apply". The calibration can be completed.
Origin Calibration
Recommendation Level ⭐⭐
Obtain the PCB origin position and enter an angle to complete the calibration (not recommended, this method has a large error).
Panel Auto Calibration
Same as above.
Panel Manual Calibration
Select a reference component and set the position of this component in the upper left, upper right, and lower right PCBs respectively to complete the calibration.