Feeder Connection Kit

This page will guide the reader on how to properly prepare a feeder-connection-kit, from initial assembly to final packaging.

feeder-blade-panel (PCBA)

This section will guide the reader on how to properly create a feeder-blade-panel (PCBA)

SMT

Paste blade panels three at a time.
Load three pasted blade panels into the Blade Lumen
Run the job in OpenPnP
Remove the panels and reflow them in the oven one at a time
Inspect for any shorts or shifted components and rework as needed
Add the 120R termination resistor to the 50th slot position if needed
Place the completed feeder-blade-panel (PCBA) units into the yellow bin found at the blade assembly work station

Programming

Grab the stylus from the blade programmer
Ensure that the address is set to 1
- You can adjust the address with the buttons to the right of the screen
Place the spring pins of the stylus against the pads on Slot #1
- Make sure the orientation matches as shown below:
Press the switch on the stylus when all spring pins are compressed against the pads
Look at the screen:
The programming step failed if you see anything other than a success message
- The jig is capable of detecting shorts, and will fail programming if one is detected
  - The screen will display which pin it sensed has shorted
- If a failure is observed perform any necessary cleanup and try again
- Note that the jig will remember the last place you left off
If the programmer reads 1 - SUCCESS proceed to the next slot position
After successfully programming address 1, repeat this step for the next 49 addresses while moving in the following order:
Pink (4th row) → Red (2nd row) → Green (3rd row) → Blue (1st row)

Pay extreme attention to avoid programming any slot with the wrong value

QC

Ensure your completed PCBA meets the following requirements:

Switch the programmer to QC Mode and confirm that Slots #1, #13, #23, #26, #38, #48, and #50 each have a programmed value that matches the top-side silkscreen text

For example:

Confirm that Slot #26 is actually programmed as Slot #26
Gold spring finger pads are free of damage

Place each quality checked feeder-blade-panel (PCBA) into the appropriate QC bin:

Place all QC passing feeder-blade-panel (PCBA) units into the green QC bin

Place all QC failing feeder-blade-panel (PCBA) units into the red QC bin

Be sure to label each defective unit with any issues it has

The next step is to proceed to Feeder Blade Set Final Assembly

Feeder Blade Set Final Assembly

This section will guide the reader on how to properly assemble and package a feeder-blade-set

Materials Prep

Check 2x blade-12 and 2x blade-13 using the granite block to ensure the print printed without warping

Assembly Process

Begin by separating a feeder-blade-panel (PCBA) into four separate rows
Install each blade13-pcb into a blade13 3D print to create feeder-blade13-asm
Set feeder-blade13-asm into the feeder-blade-cradle-jig
Proceed to install 5x M3x8-self-threading-screw into the WIP feeder-blade13-asm
- Use an automatic torque driver set to 6
Remove the blades from the feeder-blade-cradle-jig
Loosely install 5x M5-t-slot-nut and 5x M5x10-bolt into each feeder blade for subsequent use in mounting onto a feeder rail
Repeat these above steps until you have created 2x feeder-blade13-asm and 2x feeder-blade12-asm
- The steps to make the feeder-blade12-asm are the same as the 13-gang version, the only differences are that the 3D print and PCB are a 12-slot variant.

Once all 4 assemblies have been prepared, you have finished building a feeder-blade-set

Next Steps

The next step is to proceed to either:

Feeder Connection Kit Accessories - provided you are making a Feeder Connection Kit
Front-feeder-rail / Rear-feeder-rail Assembly - provided you are making a LumenPnP