User Manual

Programming Basics 7-3
Building a Program in FmNT
It is important to learn how to build programs in FmNT. Complex multipass dispensing
programs are built by first defining patterns, then adding those patterns to the whole
workpiece.
When building programs, it is important to keep in mind that you want to develop the fastest
method of dispensing in order to maximize production throughput. You gain this efficiency
by constructing the patterns and adding them to the program in the most time-effective
manner. Also, limiting the number of times fiducial searches or other processes such as flow
rate measurements and purging are performed can increase throughput. The optimization
comes in figuring out how to add these processes to your program without compromising
accuracy or throughput.
In the next sections and the following chapter, you will be taught basic skills that will enable
you to successfully build efficient dispensing programs.
Workpieces, Patterns and Procedures
An understanding of the difference between workpieces, patterns and procedures in FmNT is
essential for programming.
A “workpiece”, as defined by FmNT, is usually your board or auer boat. Master Fiducials, if
present, are taught on the workpiece.
A “Pattern” is a sequence of related instructions, such as a combination of lines or a set of
dots, that are grouped together and saved as a single unit. The pattern can then be “placed,”
or programmed onto the workpiece at defined locations.
Any dispensing command that can have fiducials is a pattern. Other dispensing commands
are “procedures”. Procedures typically handle “maintenance” functions such as purging or
flow rate measurements. The Main Procedure is a set of commands usually hidden from the
Programming Window.
Patterns can also contain “nested patterns” or subpatterns. Subpatterns are defined as a new
pattern, then “placed” within another pattern. The parent pattern can then be “placed” on the
workpiece.
For example, a program titled “Workpiece” is an underfill dispensing program for an auer
boat containing ten chips. Imagine each chip requires the same dispensing pattern. You
would first define the underfill pattern for one chip and save it as a separate pattern titled
“chip1” for example. The “chip1” pattern is then taught at each of the ten chip locations on
the auer boat to create the “Workpiece” pattern.