Pick and place file for assembly in PCB Design - Real Business Scenario

Scenario Mode

👤 Your Role: You are a PCB assembly engineer at an electronics manufacturing company.

📋 Request: Your manager wants you to prepare a pick and place file to guide the automated assembly machines for placing components accurately on the PCB.

📊 Data: You have a list of components with their reference designators, X and Y coordinates on the PCB, rotation angles, and the side of the board (top or bottom) where they should be placed.

🎯 Deliverable: Create a pick and place file in CSV format with columns: Reference, Value, X (mm), Y (mm), Rotation (degrees), Side.

Sample Data

Reference	Value	X (mm)	Y (mm)	Rotation (degrees)	Side
R1	10k	12.5	34.2	0	Top
C1	100nF	15.0	30.0	90	Top
U1	MCU	20.0	25.0	180	Top
D1	LED	10.0	40.0	270	Bottom
R2	1k	18.0	35.0	0	Bottom
C2	10uF	22.0	28.0	90	Top
Q1	Transistor	25.0	30.0	0	Bottom
J1	Connector	5.0	45.0	0	Top

1

Step 1: Organize the component data into a table with columns: Reference, Value, X (mm), Y (mm), Rotation (degrees), Side.

Use the given sample data as is, ensuring all columns are present and correctly labeled.

Expected Result

A clean table with 8 components and their placement details.

2

Step 2: Sort the components by Side (Top first) and then by Reference alphabetically to help assembly machines process top side first.

Sort by Side ascending (Top before Bottom), then by Reference ascending.

Expected Result

Components ordered: C1, C2, J1, R1, U1 (Top side), then D1, Q1, R2 (Bottom side).

3

Step 3: Format the data into CSV format with headers: Reference,Value,X,Y,Rotation,Side.

Create CSV text lines, e.g., 'R1,10k,12.5,34.2,0,Top'.

Expected Result

CSV file content with 8 lines plus header, ready for pick and place machine.

4

Step 4: Validate coordinates and rotation angles to ensure they are within machine limits (X and Y positive, Rotation 0-359 degrees).

Check X >= 0, Y >= 0, Rotation in [0,359].

Expected Result

All components have valid coordinates and rotation angles.

5

Step 5: Deliver the pick and place CSV file to the assembly team for machine programming.

Save the CSV file and share it as per company process.

Expected Result

Assembly team receives a correctly formatted pick and place file.

Final Result

Pick and Place File Preview:

Reference,Value,X,Y,Rotation,Side
C1,100nF,15.0,30.0,90,Top
C2,10uF,22.0,28.0,90,Top
J1,Connector,5.0,45.0,0,Top
R1,10k,12.5,34.2,0,Top
U1,MCU,20.0,25.0,180,Top
D1,LED,10.0,40.0,270,Bottom
Q1,Transistor,25.0,30.0,0,Bottom
R2,1k,18.0,35.0,0,Bottom

✓Top side components are placed first for efficient assembly.

✓All component coordinates and rotations are valid for machine use.

✓The file format matches industry standards for pick and place machines.

Bonus Challenge

Create a visual map of the PCB showing component positions and orientations for quick verification.

Show Hint

Use a simple grid layout with labeled points and arrows indicating rotation direction.