I recently came across a BPM Microsystems 3800 MK2 Automated Programming System (APS), and I just couldn’t resist. I’ve always wanted one of these, especially back in 2020/2021 when I was programming chips non-stop due to the shortages and the lack of production programming from the manufactures. This is one of those ‘if you have to ask how much, you probably can’t afford it’ kind of items. The price seemed too good to be true, so I decided to take a gamble!$!. Seller had me worried a bit after payment when he said will be out a week had to go to Las Vegas but about 5 days later said arrange pickup on Monday and followed thru with loading it on the truck.
Although I don’t really have space for it, I couldn’t pass it up. I ended up shelving my other project adapting the Xeltek Universal Programmers to the Charmhigh pick-and-place machine because I just didn’t have the time to see it through. Repairing PCB’s, Programming Chips, Tending to Urban Farming, Etc.
BPM Microsystems offers premium, high-end production programmers, with models like this one selling for over $100,000 in 2016. While they excel in advanced capabilities, their device support for older components is somewhat limited. The newer BPM Microsystems 3901 APS is marketed as a more affordable option, with a “sub-$90,000” price tag, as highlighted in BPM Microsystems’ advertising and an article on SMTnet.
For aerospace contract work, BPM Microsystems and Data I/O are typically preferred due to strict industry standards. In contrast, Xeltek SuperBot automated programmers are often unsuitable for such work, as regulatory requirements or concerns about Chinese software deter their use.
With the price of these automated programmers they are typically out of reach for the typical small business.
So this will be my adventure in Automated Programming System.
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New 10/06/2024 I created a Facebook Group For BPM Microsystems Programmer Owners/User, For Pear To Pear Programmer Support. With all these tech Groups it will take some time to get members and good content so if you are a BPM Microsystems Programmer Owners/User or Just interested in them please join.
The truck arrived only took 2 days to get here.
I did a Live Unboxing on Youtube. The seller did an amazing job palatalizing this item it was very secure.
All Unboxed…
BPM Microsystems 3800 MK2 Data Sheet
After getting it off the pallet at nearly 500 lbs and incredibly bulky, it was definitely a challenge. This machine is very sturdy and seem well constructed. Now in it’s temporary resting place for cleaning and testing, I managed to power it up…
This APS came with the Tape feeder system but no tape out accessory “V-TEK TM-50” it is equipped for it. Ill be keeping an eye out of that accessory. https://bpmmicro.com/device-programmers/automated-programmers/aps-peripherals/?#xstream-tape-feeder
The Tape out V-TEK TM-50 Option. I did buy a V-tek TM-50 Controller but BPM Microsystems prob uses something proprietary to communicate with it so I figured I would give it a shot.
Since I have been programing with manual programmers mostly Xeltek Programmers the chips I normally program are on standard or mini JEDEC / Matrix trays anyways or they go from tape/tube to tray/tube. I would love to be able to go back to tape maybe in the future.
Sadly, no Fiber Laser accessory 🙁 could not tell from sellers photos ohh well.. I had my fingers crossed.
First Movements Was Homing Itself When BPwin Software Was Started.
I Checked all 3 BPM Microsystems 2800 Programming sites all passed their self test and all 3 sites opened their sockets.
I believe the original price was Over $100,000. Dare I inquire with BPM Microsystems to find out the exact original cost of this machine? Would they even be willing to provide documentation?
Here’s an article on SMTNET where BPM Microsystems announces a machine priced under $90,000.
https://smtnet.com/news/index.cfm?fuseaction=view_news&company_id=51223&news_id=23407
Here is another announcing at under 110,000
https://smtnet.com/news/index.cfm?fuseaction=view_news&company_id=51223&news_id=23514
My First task is to make a Backup of the HDD just in case if a failure a spinner from 2015 may not have much life left. I am not sure of BPM Microsystems makes available the APS Files in the BPWIN Software. I may do a fresh install of windows 10 and the most recent BPwin see if it detects it or install a backup image and install the latest as an update see what happens.
Teardown / Post Shipment Inspection Starts Today. I’ll go Thru this machine show ya what ya got for that amount of cash.
Here is a Teardown / Inspection Part 1
So far looking it This BPM Microsystems 3800 MK2 APS I have found out it seems to use the Quad/Tyco C & Q Series Pick and Place Machine System Including the Feeders.
Feeders Appear to Be from older Quad Pick and Place machines these are readily available on the second hand market.
http://www.goppm.com/feeders.php
I believe the 3901 Xtream Feeders are a Hoover-Davis Tape Feeder
The Z-Rod (Bellows) and nozzle resemble those used by older Quad pick and place machines. Based on BPM images, these parts seem to be from Count On Tools. Here’s a link to similar components: https://www.nozzles4smt.com/Z-Rods-Nozzles_c_124.html
Quad/Tyco Part #: 8-1567012-8 or Quad part # : 10-14097
https://pcbasupplies.com/quad-ppm/page/2/ or https://www.nozzles4smt.com/Standard-Z-ROD-Adaptor-CQ-SERIES_p_1165.html
http://www.nozzlesupply.com/quadnozzle.htm or https://www.nozzles4smt.com/
The nozzle is missing its rubber seal, which I found cracked and deteriorated on the machine bed. The seal is an X-ring/quad ring BPM Specs show dimensions ID = .101, OD = .241, and Cross Section = .070. I did find something similar Part # 4444-005 Here will see if i can find a retail source.
Renishaw Tape Encoders
Computer:
Portwell ROBO-8780VG2A SBC I7 2600 8 Core 8GB Ram 500GB HDD 64gb SSD
Portwell ACTI-14AA Backplane
Advantech EKI-3728 Ethernet Switch
IOGEAR ZIC251U-B-31 5 Port USB Cards X 3
BPM Microsystems 3800 APS Motion Control:
Galil DMC-4040 4-axis Ethernet RS232 Stand-Alone Motion Controller
Advantech EKI-3728 Ethernet Switch
Power Supply TDK-Lambda LS25-24
Driver & Power Supply Cabinet
Omron Relay Solid State G3NA-220B
BT50 24 VDC Jokab Safety Relay Unit
CS8C-40E Control / Overload Relay
CA7-16 Contactor
Stepper Drivers:
Pacific Scientific 6410-008-N-N-N X 3 (Issue i ahve seen with this in other machines using this driver is the IRF530 Q100)
VEXTA TSKA26 ??? X 1
Main Power Supply ASTEC LPQ114 power supply
1 TDK-Lambda LS25-24 Power Supply
When I get time Will Take Photos of the Proprietary BPM Auto Handler Boards.
Out of the Cabinet TDK-Lambda DPP120-24-1 Power Supply
Cameras 1 & 2
ALLIED AVT Mako G032B POE
Manual https://www.1stvision.com/cameras/AVT/dataman/Mako_TechMan.pdf
Data Sheet https://www.1stvision.com/cameras/AVT/dataman/Mako_DataSheet_G-032_prelim_en.pdf
Camera seem to work Good
Down Camera At Tape Feeder & Socket
Upword Camera At Nozzle and Lighting
Z Height Is Done by a Cyber Optics Laser.
There are 3 Proprietary Cards 2 Mounted to the under side of the bed and 1 on a Cross bar. (Left One is 3700 Automated Handler and the Right is Light Tower)
Cards under the bed are marked WWAVSERIAL2LIT
This is the card that was on the bar in the front marked is the Tape Feeder Controller.
The Marked WWAVSERIALTAPEF Under the sticker it is an Altera EPM3128ATC100-10N PLD
My Xeltek IS01 In System Programmer Supports the EPM3128ATC100-10N Device looks to be Jtag I looked at the data sheet it seem to be missing the pins listings so ill try and locate them so I may have to locate the ISP Header and see if it will read for a backup. My luck it will be read protected and be at the mercy of BPM Microsystyems if something ever happens.
These also have 93C46’s Ill try and also back them up as well.
PROGRAMMERS:
The Programmers 3 X BPM Microsystems 2800 Sites Equipped with 12 FVE4ASMR48QFNS Socket Modules
Shown Here with the press / socket opening bars Installed.
With the Bars Removed Showing all 12 of the FVE4ASMR48QFNS
The Socket Counters For the FVE4ASMR48QFNS‘s one has almost 100K from another machine operator I spoke with they will reset the counters upon socket change. BPM does not solder the sockets to the card they are in a socket and easily replaced very serviceable design. At the price of these $442.00ea one would expect a long service life. Sockets are very in expensive. It will cost about 5K-10K just for Socket Modules to equip this Programmer for a run of chips if using all 3 sites to their full capacity. You need a min of 2 per programmer in use. I have not seen many of these on the second hand market ebay, smtnet, or other sites.
The FVE4ASMR48QFNS Socket Module With QFN Socket Removed, Zif Socket is 790-62048-101G Construction of these seem ok the edges are a bit rough seem to have been V Scored vs Router for the price one would expect clean edges.
Bottom of BPM Microsystems FVE4ASMR48QFNS Socket Module
Has The Same 93C46 Eprom a few Transistors and 74HCT164D Shift Register
As Usual I Backed-Up All the eeproms just in case I need it in the future if a repair is needed. These modules see to have a bit more data then the the BPM Microsystems FP-1710 programmer Adapters This backup screen shot is from socket module at site 1B
Keep Checking back for updates.
Last Updated on November 21, 2024 by Steven Rhine