Working as a technician in the SMT Department at RBB Systems has definitely been an interesting experience, since it’s the work center where our production really begins. Two major pieces of manufacturing equipment; the Mydata MY15 and TP-9, do the machine placement (known as “pick and place”) of small surface-mounted electronic components. These machines “pick” each individual component from a reel in a magazine and “place” it onto a bare circuit board. Proper programming of the machines plays an important role in performance and quality. Trained operators populate the boards by utilizing certifications earned, including J-STD-001, IPC-A-610, IPC 7711/7721, and others. Training is provided by both the equipment manufacturers and by our experienced mechanical engineers.