The right equipment starts
with the right questions.

Prepare your PCB or panel dimensions, component list, smallest and largest packages, and target boards per day. Include expected batch sizes and how often you change products. These details help narrow the choices before comparing prices.

Compare achievable output for your own board. Component mix, feeder arrangement, board handling and job changes affect production time. Ask for a cycle-time estimate using a representative job, especially if you run many small batches.

Check the supported board dimensions and thickness, component size and height limits, and the vision and nozzle options needed for your parts. For fine-pitch or unusual components, have the supplier review the actual package requirements before ordering.

Your component list determines how many different parts must be loaded. Confirm compatibility with your tape widths, trays or tubes, and check how many feeder positions each setup uses. Ask which feeders are included and which are purchased separately.

Look closely at programming, component setup, feeder changes and first-board verification. A machine that makes these steps straightforward can be a better fit for varied, short runs than one selected on placement speed alone.

Send your bill of materials, board dimensions, placement count and production target, plus details of difficult components. Tell us about your available space and existing assembly process so we can discuss a suitable configuration and any additional equipment.

Start with the number of simultaneous users, then include other air-powered equipment. Installed chairs alone do not describe peak demand. Share the equipment manufacturers’ air requirements and any planned expansion when asking for a recommendation.

Airflow, commonly listed in CFM or liters per minute, describes the volume supplied; pressure is commonly listed in PSI or bar. Compare delivered airflow at your equipment’s required operating pressure, using matching rating conditions. Maximum pressure alone does not tell you whether a compressor can keep up.

A tank stores air, but tank size alone does not establish sustained output. Compare compressor delivery, permitted operating cycle and peak demand alongside tank capacity. Avoid choosing only by tank size or motor horsepower.

Oil-free and dry air describe different things. An oil-free compressor does not by itself remove moisture. Check the drying and filtration requirements of the equipment you will connect, then confirm whether the selected compressor configuration includes the appropriate dryer.

Confirm voltage, electrical requirements and available space before ordering. Plan for ventilation, service access and an appropriate location for the operating noise. Use the selected model’s installation instructions when arranging the site.

Include that equipment’s airflow, pressure and air-quality requirements in the sizing review. Some applications call for a dedicated supply. Ask us to review the combined demand rather than assuming a chair-based rating covers every connected device.

Follow the specific model’s schedule for filters, moisture management and other service items. Oil-free does not mean maintenance-free. Ask which consumables your selected compressor and dryer require before purchase.