With the rapid development of electronic products, PCBs are becoming increasingly compact and highly integrated. More components are being placed on limited board space, making PCB handling automation more challenging than ever.In precision electronics manufacturing, the goal is not only to pick up PCBs efficiently but also to prevent damage to connectors, solder joints, and sensitive components during transportation.This case focuses on the automated handling of circular PCBs with a diameter of 86mm and a maximum weight of approximately 100g. The application requires picking three PCBs at once from a tray, transferring them for inspection and soldering processes, and finally placing them into storage trays.However, traditional vacuum suction solutions faced several limitations.

Why Vacuum Suction Struggles with PCB Handling

1. Limited Suction Area on High-Density PCBs

Modern PCBs are often covered with various electronic components, leaving very limited flat areas available for vacuum suction.In addition, slight PCB deformation or warping can cause uneven suction force distribution, resulting in:

• Unstable picking;
• Dropped parts during transfer;
• Increased risk of product damage.

For precision electronic manufacturing, even a small handling failure can affect production yield.

2. Position Deviation Increases the Risk of Component Damage

During tray loading, PCBs may have a positioning deviation of approximately 2–3mm.When using vacuum suction, the system must accurately locate a suitable suction area. Otherwise, the suction cup may accidentally contact:

• Solder joints;
• Electronic components;
• Sensitive areas on the PCB surface.

This becomes even more difficult when multiple PCBs need to be picked and placed simultaneously.

3. Difficult Fixture Changes for Different PCB Models

Electronic products are updated frequently, requiring manufacturers to handle various PCB sizes and designs.Traditional vacuum grippers often need customized suction tools for different PCB models, leading to:

• Higher fixture development costs;
• Longer changeover time;
• Lower flexibility for small-batch and multi-product production.

Rochu Soft Gripper Solution for Circular PCB Handling

To overcome these challenges, Rochu developed a soft robotic gripper solution for PCB handling.Instead of contacting the PCB surface, the soft gripper uses an outer edge gripping method, holding the circular PCB from its side area.In this application, the soft gripper securely grips the 86mm circular PCB through a small edge contact area (approximately 5mm gripping width), enabling stable loading and unloading for inspection and soldering processes.

Advantages of Soft Gripper for PCB Automation

1. Stable Gripping Without Requiring Flat Suction Areas

Unlike vacuum suction cups, soft grippers do not depend on large flat surfaces.By gripping from the PCB edge, the soft gripper can handle PCBs with:

• Dense component layouts;
• Limited suction areas;
• Slight surface deformation.

This solves the common problem of “nowhere to place the suction cup” in PCB automation.

2. Protects Solder Joints and Sensitive Components

The soft gripper uses specially developed nano-organic silicone material, providing flexible deformation and evenly distributed gripping force.During handling:

• No contact with PCB surfaces;
• No interference with solder joints;
• No pressure on sensitive components.

With precise force control up to 0.1N, the soft gripper reduces the risk of secondary damage during inspection and transportation, improving overall production reliability.

3. Modular Design Improves Compatibility and Reduces Selection Costs

For manufacturers handling multiple PCB models, flexibility is critical.The modular design allows the soft gripper to quickly adapt to different:

• PCB sizes;
• Product structures;
• Handling requirements.

Instead of redesigning a complete gripper system for every application, different modules can be combined to meet various working conditions.This helps reduce repeated fixture selection costs while allowing one automation system to support more PCB handling scenarios.

A More Flexible Solution for PCB Handling

In electronic manufacturing, successful automation requires more than simply picking and placing products. It requires a solution that protects delicate components while adapting to changing production needs.Through edge gripping technology, precise force control, and modular adaptability, Rochu Soft Gripper provides a reliable solution for:

• Circular PCB handling;
• PCB inspection loading and unloading;
• Soldering process transfer;
• Electronic component automation.

From simply “gripping” to safe and flexible gripping, soft robotic technology is helping manufacturers build smarter and more adaptable automation systems.