To SMT assemblers:
     
     We have been building our engineering prototype boards through the 
     normal production cycle to prove out design for manufacturability.  
     But in doing so, we are faced with having to present small pieces of 
     taped parts to our automatic pick and place machine.  Since we can't 
     load small pieces on the feeders, we have to program discrete 
     locations on the wagon to pick those parts which is time consuming and 
     straying from normal production methods(production quantities would be 
     much larger).        
     
     I was wondering if other manufacturers had similar issues and how they 
     were dealing with it.  
     
     Any suggestions/comments??
     
     Thanks in advance.
     
     Karen A. Catallozzi
     Industrial Engineer
     Hughes Training, Inc.-Link Division
     Binghamton, NY  
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