SMT PCB Buffer Machine Series: Magazine, NG/OK and Cooling Buffers

Keep the line running while one machine stops.

PCB buffers for every gap in the SMT line: magazine type buffers for loader and AOI duty, NG/OK selectors after inspection, post-reflow cooling buffers and SMEMA transfer buffers that decouple downstream stoppages from placement speed.

Lane width, board size and line height are confirmed against your conveyor layout before quotation.

Model specifications published on www.smthelp.com (SBN250 / SBN330 NG buffer, S-TS500 temporary storage) are listed first; the other buffer types are from the buffer series product page.

At a glance

• SBN250 / SBN330 — NG buffer conveyors with FIFO, LIFO and pass-through modes
• S-TS500 — temporary storage machine, up to 20 PCBs, first in first out
• 6 modes — on the EDM magazine type buffer family
• 20 boards — NG/OK and cooling buffer queues
• 900 mm — standard transport height, SMEMA interface

One blocked machine stops the whole line

Without a buffer, the fastest machine runs at the speed of its slowest neighbour.

• Cascade stoppages: An AOI pause starves the placement machine and backs up the printer.
• Hot boards with nowhere to go: Reflow output has no queue, so operators carry hot boards.
• NG boards block OK flow: A rejected board holds good product until someone clears it.
• Changeover dead time: Magazine swaps empty the line segment every shift.
• Cycle-time mismatch: A faster upstream machine feeding a slower one leaves gaps all day.

Pick the buffer that matches the bottleneck — Feature, Advantage, Benefit

Buffer types in the series.

NG buffer: SBN250 / SBN330 NG buffer conveyor

After AOI / SPI.

• Feature: Stores NG boards after the tester (AOI/SPI) and moves them up for inspection; FIFO, LIFO and pass-through modes; frequency-inverter indexing; leadscrew width adjustment; enclosed design.
• Advantage: Rejected boards leave the main flow without stopping it.
• Benefit: Inspection stops stop being line stops.

Key points: FIFO / LIFO / pass-through · 12 PCB buffer (or specify) · SMEMA

Temporary storage: S-TS500 temporary storage machine

Buffer between SMT machines.

• Feature: PLC-controlled buffer with automatic alarm, first-in first-out storage of up to 20 PCBs, touch-screen operation and a multilayer conveyor in an aluminium alloy turnover box.
• Advantage: Absorbs short stops between SMT machines.
• Benefit: Placement keeps running while a neighbour recovers.

Key points: Up to 20 PCBs · FIFO · PLC + touch screen

Magazine buffer: EDM magazine type buffer

Loader and AOI duty.

• Feature: Queues boards in standard magazines with top and bottom pneumatic clamps, LED membrane panel and six operation modes; PCBs from 80 × 50 up to 500 × 280 mm.
• Advantage: Magazine storage gives high capacity in a small footprint.
• Benefit: A loader or AOI can stop for a changeover while placement keeps running.

Key points: 6 modes · Up to 500 × 280 mm PCB · Pneumatic clamps

Cooling / NG-OK: Cooling and NG/OK dual-track buffers

Reflow exit and inspection output.

• Feature: Single or dual-track cooling buffers (950–1500 mm lengths, 100 W drive, 20-board queue) and dual-track NG/OK buffers for SPI/AOI duty.
• Advantage: Boards cool in queue and rejects divert to their own lane.
• Benefit: Consistent cooling time and good product never waits behind a reject.

Key points: 950–1500 mm · Single / dual track · NG/OK lanes

Specifications by model and type

SBN250 / SBN330 and S-TS500 values are from www.smthelp.com. The other types are from the buffer series product page.

SBN250 / SBN330 NG buffer conveyor (www.smthelp.com)

Parameter	SBN250 / SBN330
Function	Stores NG boards after the tester (AOI/SPI) and moves them up for inspection
Operating modes	First In First Out (FIFO), Last In First Out (LIFO), pass-through
Transport height	900 ± 20 mm or specify
Transfer direction	L to R, or specify R to L
Belt type	ESD belt (round belt)
Cycle time	Approx. 10 s
Power supply	AC 110 V or 220 V, single phase; 250 VA max. or specify
Buffering capacity	12 PCB or specify
SBN250	1000 × 910 × 1600 mm; PCB 50 × 50 – 330 × 250 mm; 160 kg; PCB thickness 0.6–4 mm
SBN330	1200 × 990 × 1600 mm; PCB 50 × 50 – 460 × 330 mm; 300 kg; PCB thickness 0.6–4 mm
Interface	SMEMA compatible

S-TS500 temporary storage machine (www.smthelp.com)

Parameter	S-TS500
Installation dimensions	L600 × W920 × H1200 mm
PCB size	Max. 500 × 390 mm
Direction	L to R / R to L
Transfer height	920 ± 30 mm
Pitch selection	25, 50
Maximum stored PCBs	20
Power supply	220 V, 50 Hz
Drive	120 W motor drives the magazine into the elevator; stepper drive motor; multilayer W3.5 flat belt; precision ball screw
Control	PLC with automatic alarm; first in, first out; touch-screen control panel

EDM magazine type buffer

Parameter	EDM300 / 330 / 360
EDM300	1050 × 1300 × 1805 mm; PCB 80 × 50 – 500 × 280 mm; magazine to 350 × 250 mm
EDM330	1250 × 1300 × 1805 mm; PCB to 498 × 280 mm; magazine to 480 × 400 mm
EDM360	1550 × 1300 × 1805 mm; PCB to 500 × 280 mm; magazine to 600 × 400 mm
Operation modes	6, selectable from the LED membrane panel
Utilities	AC 110/220 V single phase, max 230 VA; air 4–6 bar, 150 l/min max
Line interface	SMEMA; transport height 900 ± 20 mm (or customer specified); L→R or R→L

Other buffer types

Parameter	Series
S-type magazine buffer	Pusher type; AOI and SMT duty; NG/OK 20 boards per cycle; three chassis sizes; 120–250 V, 250–380 W
Post-reflow cooling buffer	Single or dual track; lengths 950–1500 mm; 100 W drive; 20-board queue
NG/OK dual-track buffer (SPI/AOI)	680 × 1110 × 1700 mm; 370 W; 100–230 V; air 4–6 bar, 10 l/min max; 210 kg
Certification	RoHS Certificate of Compliance for the PCB Conveyor & Buffer line (IEC 62321 test series)

Final track count, lane width, board size range and transport height are confirmed after we review your line layout. Custom buffers are built to drawing.

Compatibility and interfaces: SMEMA, FIFO / LIFO, NG/OK, Cooling, After SPI / AOI, Reflow exit

Buffers and line duty

Watch the board handling family

From line layout to running buffer

• 1 · Review — Board size, line height and the two machines the buffer sits between.
• 2 · Consult — Buffer position mix and storage needed for each gap.
• 3 · Configure — Lane width, transport height, direction and control options; 3D drawings and RoHS certificate shared.
• 4 · Deliver — Buffers ship wired and tested for SMEMA lines.
• 5 · Support — Belts, sensors and control spares as needed.

Frequently asked questions

How many boards do I need to buffer?

Enough to cover your longest routine downstream stop. A 5-minute AOI stop on a 12-second cycle needs about 25 boards of storage. Send your cycle time and stop profile and we size the buffer.

Will it talk to my existing machines?

Yes. The buffers are SMEMA compatible with a standard 900 mm transport height (adjustable). Tell us the neighbouring machine models.

Magazine type or track type?

Magazine buffers hold the most boards in the smallest footprint and suit loader, unloader and AOI positions. Track buffers suit reflow exit and NG/OK sorting. Most lines use both.

What is the difference between the SBN250 and SBN330?

PCB range and size: SBN250 takes 50 × 50 – 330 × 250 mm boards, SBN330 50 × 50 – 460 × 330 mm. Both buffer 12 PCB as standard, or as specified.

Are custom layouts possible?

Yes. Track count, lane width, transport height, direction and control logic are built to order.

Engineering Review

Send PCB details for a practical machine recommendation.

Useful details: PCB type, board size, component list, monthly volume, current worker count, line layout and target automation goal.

Send PCB Details WhatsApp

Next step: Send your PCB size, cycle time and the machines on either side of the gap; we reply with the buffer type, storage calculation and quotation.