If you're into electronics and PCB assembly, we've got a video that will catch your interest! In the video below, you'll find a great presentation of a handy tool called the Pixel Pump, by its creator Robin Reiter.

The Pixel Pump is a vacuum tool, designed for those who assemble PCBs and are looking for a solution that sits comfortably between manual tweezers and high-end automated pick and place machines. It's tailored for hobbyists or small businesses that need to put together a few prototypes or manage small-scale production without the hefty investment.

Meet the Pixel Pump

In the video, Robin walks you through the parts of the system — the pump base station, the vacuum pen, the power supply, and various nozzles. He also demonstrates how the foot pedal operates, in order to control the vacuum. There is also the ability to connect a second pedal, which enhances functionality with BOM management software such as the open source iBOM plugin for KiCad, Aisler's Smart Guide, or any spreadsheet software.

You'll see the Pixel Pump in action as Robin assembles a demo board, which is actually a part of the Pixel Pump itself, showing the practicality of the tool. After a quick reflow on a hot plate, the board is tested and works perfectly.

A Customizable System

Moreover, Robin shows the custom SMD magazines he developed, which have evolved from 3D prints to injection-molded components as they were fully refined. These make small-scale handling of SMD tapes so much easier, as you will see!

For those who enjoy tinkering, the Pixel Pump is open source. Internal extension ports allow users to add custom extensions, such as solder paste dispensing or wireless operation. The whole project is based on Raspberrry Pi's RP2040 and can be programmed easily using MicroPython for added functionality.

Interested in seeing how it works for yourself? The video is a great way to get a feel for the Pixel Pump’s capabilities. Check it out below!
 

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