In this section, you'll go over how to build a set of pick-and-place feeders and base plates from the official Ploopy Pick-And-Place Feeder kit.

Instructions are written for a single feeder and a single base plate. If you want to build more, just repeat the instructions.

Let's do it.

Step 1: 3D-printed parts

• 1x Feeder Body
• 1x Tape Advance Wheel
• 1x Tape Advance Lever
• 1x Feeder Top
• 1x Tape Peeling Tongue
• 1x Base Plate

Step 2: Gather the hardware

• 1x compression spring
• 6x Phillips-head screws
• 6x nuts
• 1x washer
• 1x 6700 bearing
• 24x magnets

4 magnets are for a single feeder; 20 magnets are for a single base plate. One base plate can accommodate 5 feeders, so if you're populating all five slots on the base plate, you'll need a total of 40 magnets.

Step 3: Get the tools

• A Phillips head screwdriver
• Cyanoacrylate glue (also called "super glue" or "crazy glue")
• Loctite, low or medium strength

Step 4: Glue the Tape Peeling Tongue into the Feeder Body

In the picture, the Tape Peeling Tongue is green, and the Feeder Body is white.

If you're using our kit, or you've printed your own parts in PLA (like we recommend), wait 20 minutes for the glue to set. Contrary to conventional wisdom, super glue does not set quickly on PLA!

Step 5: Press the bearing into the Feeder Body

This can take quite a bit of force, so try your best to keep everything in one piece.

Step 6: Press the magnets into the Feeder Body

THIS IS A VERY EASY STEP TO MESS UP, SO PAY CLOSE ATTENTION!

These magnets will be used to snap the feeder onto the Base Plate, which uses magnets. In order for that to work, all of the magnets on the Base Plate have to be in one direction, and all of the magnets on the Feeder Body have to be in the other direction.

SO! First, make sure that all four of the magnets in front of you are in the same direction. Don't press them in yet.

Second, ensure that the orientation of the magnets is correct such that they'll be accepted by the magnets in the Base Plate. (If you haven't assembled a Base Plate yet, make sure that the four magnets in front of you match your other feeders. If this is the first feeder you're making, just make sure that all of the magnets are oriented the same way so that they all attract and repel the same way.)

Once you have made sure (and made sure a second time!), press the magnets into the Feeder Body. This can take some force, so try your best not to break everything.

Step 7: Press the Tape Advance Wheel onto the bearing

Press it down until the top of the Tape Advance Wheel sits just below the level of the Feeder Body, like so:

Step 8: Press the 6 nuts into the back of the Feeder Body

Take your time! Make sure that the nuts are fully captured by the holes in the Feeder Body. You're a pro. You got this.

Step 9: Prepare to attach the Tape Advance Lever

Gather the following:

• Tape Advance Lever
• Feeder Body
• 1x washer
• 1x screw
• Loctite

Step 10: Attach the Tape Advance Lever

To do this:

• Put the washer on top of the Tape Advance Wheel.
• Put the Tape Advance Lever on top of the washer.
• Insert the screw and push it in until it touches the nut (which was installed in a previous step).
• Flip the Feeder Body over and apply a small drop of Loctite to the thread of the nut.
• Tigthen the screw while moving the Tape Advance Lever back and forth. Keep tightening until you can just barely feel extra resistance due to the screw tightening.
• Put the Feeder Body down and wait 15 minutes. This will allow the Loctite to cure. Don't move the Tape Advance Lever during this time.

Step 11: Place the Feeder Top onto the Feeder Body

• Gather the remaining screws.
• IMPORTANT! Take care to avoid damaging the spring tongue on the Feeder Top, which is small and easily bent during assembly.
• Place the Feeder Top onto the Feeder Body and screw the two parts together.

Step 12: Add the spring under the Tape Advance Lever.

Press the spring into the depressions on the Tape Advance Lever and Feeder Body to ensure it stays in place.

Step 13: Verify that the feeder is working correctly

The feeder should advance by one tooth every time you press the advance lever all the way down. It should also make two very satisfying clicks.

Step 14: Put magnets into Base Plate

The picture shows a base plate that has been installed in our pick-and-place machine; the base plate is green.

THIS IS A VERY EASY STEP TO MESS UP, SO PAY CLOSE ATTENTION!

These magnets will be used to snap feeders into the base. In order for that to work, all of the magnets on the base have to be in one direction, and all of the magnets on the feeders have to be in the other direction.

SO! First, make sure that all of the magnets are in the same direction. Don't press them in yet.

Second, ensure that the direction is correct so that feeders can snap in. (If you haven't assembled a feeder yet, make sure that they match your other base plates. If this is the first base plate you're making, just make sure that all of the magnets are oriented the same way so that they all attract and repel the same way.)

Once you have made sure (and made sure a second time!), press the magnets into the base. This can take some force, so try your best not to break everything.

Step 15: All done!

Congrats, you finished building a Ploopy Pick-And-Place Feeder and Base Plate!

It's done! Love it, use it, but don't you dare abuse it!