Custom SMT Feeder Design & Manufacturing
Most odd-form components that are still hand-placed in EMS factories have no standard feeder: relays in tubes, LED lenses in bulk, terminals on reels, transformers on trays, labels and adhesive pads on rolls. Southern Machinery has specialised in designing and manufacturing exactly these feeders for 30 years of combined SMT and THT automation experience, from our factory office in Bao’an, Shenzhen.
How a custom feeder project works
- Send samples and machine data — 20–50 component samples or a 3D model, the packaging (tape, tube, tray, bulk or roll), your placement machine brand and model, target cycle time and photos of the feeder bank.
- Compatibility check — we confirm docking interface, slot width, IO signals (8-core Ø16 mm aviation plug or bank connector) and pick position before quoting. We quote after we check compatibility, not before.
- Design within 5 working days — feeder concept and matching nozzle or gripper; you approve the drawings.
- Build and test — 1,000 consecutive feed cycles and a 48-hour aging run with your real parts; the test video is sent before shipment.
- Install and support — remote or on-site commissioning, operator training, numbered wear-part list with 1-day dispatch, WhatsApp support 7×24.
Which feeder type fits your component?
| Packaging | Typical components | Models |
|---|---|---|
| Tube / stick | Relays, SOP/MOS, transformers, capacitors in tubes | STF1003, STF1002, S-JVF02 |
| Vibratory bowl | Bulk hardware, LED lenses, connectors, relays | SBF1001 / BF200L / BF-2002D, MBF-2003 |
| Belt bulk | Loose connectors, buzzers, terminals, square caps | S-MVF01 |
| Radial tape | Electrolytic, Y- and square capacitors, springs | SRF1001 |
| Axial tape | Resistors, diodes, jumper wires | SAF1001 |
| Tray | Transformers, DIMM sockets, large caps | STP1001 |
| Label / roll | Labels, films, foam, adhesive pads, FPC stiffeners | SLF100X, LFSUMSUNG, S-LF70FP |
| Terminal reel | FASTON / tab terminals on reels | SRT7001 |
Why EMS factories choose Southern Machinery
- One partner for feeder, nozzle/gripper and line integration
- Feeders built to your host machine — Panasonic, FUJI, Yamaha, JUKI, Samsung/Hanwha, ASM, Universal, Mirae
- Honest advice: if a component should stay manual, we say so
- Reply within 2 hours, first proposal the same day, resolution plan within 3 days
FAQ
How long does a custom feeder take?
Design typically starts within 5 working days after samples and machine data are confirmed. Build time depends on complexity and is stated in the quotation.
Do you also make the nozzle or gripper?
Yes. We design the vacuum nozzle or mechanical gripper together with the feeder so pick position and part geometry match.
What if my component cannot be automated?
We tell you. Our engineers review samples first and recommend staying manual when automation would not pay back.