Homebrew PCBs

>When the hole is covered there will still be ample flow through the
>high-tec calibrated paper tissue flow limiter.

This approach for a fixed vacuum setup or simply reducing the vacuum, 
where adjustable, limits you in terms of the size/weight range of 
components that can be handled without having to fiddle with the 
settings. With it setup to release 0402 - 1206 components cleanly, for 
example, you're going to find that the vacuum might not be enough to 
handle heavier ICs without dropping them.

A "finger" toggle switch on the pen or a foot toggle switch that 
directly or indirectly controls the pump (on/off) is the best way to 
go. That way the vacuum can be set to handle the heaviest components 
without dropping and still release the lightest cleanly. Basically, 
that's the way an automatic pick & place machine works with the switch 
under software control. Manual ones typically use a foot switch. At 
least mine does.


--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Stefan Trethan" 
<stefan_trethan@...> wrote:
>