How To Use the Unisoft Software with a JUKI Pick & Place Machine

How the Unisoft ProntoPLACE software ( www.unisoft-cim.com/pcbplace.php ) is used in the JUKI Pick & Place environment.

How to use the Unisoft software with a JUKI Pick & Place machine:

You will need either JaNets (the current JUKI programming software) or possibly JUKI EPU (Electronic Programming Unit). Note the JUKI EPU path may not be viable any longer. So at this point, JUKI JaNets is the better option.

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Workflow:

Unisoft or Flexline CAD → JaNets → (.iss if using JaNets) → Machine

Process:

Unisoft generates a clean placement file for your PCB project in Juki JaNets or Juki ISS XML.
That file is then imported into the JUKI programming software.
The Juki Program Editor module is then used to handle any additional details needed to run the project.

This follows the same general workflow used by most pick-and-place systems: external data preparation followed by importing the data into the machine’s programming environment. For Juki machines, the Juki Program Editor module is then used to handle any additional details needed to run the project.

The sample formats below that Unisoft creates—based on hundreds of different combinations of CAD, XYR, Gerber, or BOM input data—can go directly into Juki JaNets.

R273,2.819,184.963,270,RSM2.00KBMR
D33,8.865,182.398,90,DMURA120T3GSM
R105,12.675,183.287,0,RSM4.70BMR
D34,17.526,179.832,90,DZHCS400TASM
D42,20.549,179.858,270,DONOTSTUFF
R272,25.578,183.312,270,RSM2.00KBMR

XML
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<productionProgram>
    <headerData>

    </headerData>
    <core>

    </core>
    <model>

    </model>
    <machine>

    </machine>
</productionProgram>

To export the Juki JaNets format so it can be copied and pasted directly into JaNets, first import your PCB file and Bill of Materials (BOM) into the Unisoft software as you normally would. Then go to the Place/AOI/X-Ray menu, select Juki, and choose either Export Juki JaNets (MM) or Export Juki JaNets (Inches).

If you want to export the .ISS XML file, use the .ISS XML export option from that menu.

Summary:

Unisoft supports a wide range of input data (CAD, XYR, Gerber, BOM) and generates complete placement and manufacturing data. With proper import into JUKI, Unisoft handles the CAD/data preparation step. That output then goes into the JUKI software, where the machine program is built, optimized, and prepared for production.

So Unisoft handles the front-end data prep, and the JUKI software builds the machine program and, as needed, manages line execution.

Additional Benefits of using Unisoft with JUKI and Other Pick & Place, AOI, Test & Selective Soldering Machines, as well as overall Shop Floor PCB Assembly Operations

Unisoft automatically processes the wide range of file formats that make up CAD files, XY rotation data, Gerber-only data, and BOM files. These can combine in hundreds of different ways for each unique PCB design, and Unisoft brings all of that together to generate complete component placement information.

Unisoft has been doing this for over 40 years and has thousands of customers, so the depth of our importers is unmatched. That’s usually not the case with the importers that come from a Pick & Place company. It’s just a different standard. Our standard is simple: we read everything in—modern and legacy PCB designs—and we do it correctly, every time, no exceptions.

This includes extracting the reference designators, rotations, part numbers, and package shapes from the PCB design and the BOM. It also handles rotation normalization if needed (0° reference vs. CAD), and identifies fiducials on the panel, etc.

The software then converts all of that into clean, structured Pick & Place manufacturing data. The whole issue of dealing with multiple file formats from customers—whether they’re electronic contract manufacturers or large OEMs—is handled and solved by Unisoft.

The CAD file, ODB++, IPC-2581, GenCAD, XY location/rotation/center data, Gerber only derived data and BOM and similar sources normally provide only part of the data that a Juki machine or other pick-and-place machine ultimately needs. The machine program often requires additional manufacturing and process information that does not exist in the original CAD & BOM data. Unisoft takes the available data from all of these different input sources and properly maps it into the Juki and other machine formats, helping reduce programming time and optimize the setup process so the project can be up and running as quickly as possible.

That prepared data can then be used inside the JUKI programming environment. In practice, this means Unisoft handles the CAD translation and data preparation, while JUKI software handles the final machine-specific program generation. This combination typically simplifies the programming workflow and reduces the amount of manual work normally required when preparing machine programs.

If you have multiple Pick & Place machine lines—not just JUKI—those can all be programmed at the same time using Unisoft. The same applies to AOI inspection machines, ATE test equipment, and selective soldering machines. All of these can be handled and programmed from the same software environment.

Since Unisoft also supports programming for test equipment and related processes, it includes a lot of CAD data that is typically missing from standard Pick & Place manufacturer software. This includes things like component pin information, full netlist data, trace runs, etc. That data is all available inside Unisoft and can be used to support other shop floor operations.

The Unisoft software can also be used to create assembly process documents, generate kitting labels, perform first article inspection, produce assembly and part cost reports, and generate solder joint count reports (DPMO – Defects Per Million Operations). It can also assist with assembly, rework, repair, and technician troubleshooting and hundreds of other features all from one software system.

Manufacturing Execution System (MES) software is also available and is used on the shop floor to track and control PCB production in real time.

Disclaimer
The information above is provided for general informational purposes only and reflects common SMT programming workflows. Actual system configurations, processes, software versions, programming procedures and functions, and licensing arrangements may vary depending on the specific JUKI machine model and installation. Customers should confirm all programming requirements directly with JUKI Corporation or an authorized JUKI distributor. Workflow descriptions are for general guidance only. Unisoft does not control JUKI software or equipment operation, and final program verification and machine validation remain the responsibility of the end user.

Independence Notice
Unisoft Corporation is an independent software developer and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by JUKI Corporation. References to JUKI products, processes or software are provided strictly for interoperability discussion and informational purposes.

Copyright Notice
© Unisoft Corporation. All rights reserved. JUKI®, JaNets®, JUKI EPU, JUKI HLC, JUKI .IS/.ISS and JUKI Flexline CAD® are trademarks or registered trademarks of JUKI Corporation. All other product and company names mentioned are the property of their respective owners.