Quick answer: The S4000 is a servo-driven axial insertion machine from Southern Machinery for through-hole (THT) PCB assembly. It inserts taped axial components (diodes, resistors) and jumper wire at any angle, cutting, forming and clinching the leads in one cycle. Published speed is 20,000 CPH top and 10,000 CPH actual (2024 brochure), with 0.3–0.8 mm lead diameter and a modular feeder bank of 5 to 60 stations. It suits factories still placing axial parts by hand.
Why automate axial insertion on THT boards?
Axial parts are often the last hand-loaded operation on a THT board: resistors, diodes and jumper wires arrive on tape yet are placed by hand. A hand operator picks the part, checks polarity, bends the leads, inserts it, then turns the board over to clinch. The S4000 does this in one insertion cycle: the head cuts the leads off the chain, forms them, pushes them through the holes, and the lead cutter beneath the board clinches them.
The PCB sits on a servo-driven rotary table (R axis), so each program line can use its own angle, not only 0° and 90°. Barrel-fed jumper wire is straightened and delivered by a dedicated W axis; per the 2024 brochure it is inserted without tapes, and dual feeders handle 0.5 mm and 0.6 mm wire at the same time.
How does the S4000 axial insertion machine work?
The series manual (V1.1) describes six stages:
- Feed: the distribution head cuts tape-and-reel components one by one into the discharge chain.
- Transfer: pickup wheels move parts to the two insertion chains.
- Centre: the centering mechanism clamps the component at the middle of its body.
- Cut: upper and lower cutters sever the leads; cutting length is adjustable 1.2–2.2 mm.
- Form: forming tools bend the leads outward, adjustable 0–35°.
- Insert and clinch: the pusher drives the leads into the holes and the lead cutter below trims and clinches.
What are the S4000 specifications?
| Item | Value (source: manufacturer product page) |
|---|---|
| Top / actual speed | 20,000 CPH / 10,000 CPH (2024 brochure) |
| Components | Axial taped parts (diodes, resistors) and jumper wire |
| Lead diameter | 0.3–0.8 mm |
| Insertion angle | Any angle, servo rotary table |
| Lead cutting length | 1.2–2.2 mm adjustable |
| Lead bending angle | 0–35° adjustable |
| Component height | 15 mm standard, customisable |
| PCB thickness | 0.79–2.36 mm |
| Hole correction | Machine vision, multi-point MARK |
| Control | EtherCAT motion control card, industrial PC |
| Data | USB Excel program input; 4G IoT, MES-compatible |
| Power | Single-phase AC 220 V, 50/60 Hz, 1.6 kW |
| Air consumption | 0.3 m³/min |
| Insertion defect rate | < 500 PPM (manual) |
Where do the brochure and manual disagree?
Southern Machinery prints both values rather than picking one. Confirm these at quotation stage:
| Item | 2024 brochure | Manual V1.1 |
|---|---|---|
| Machine size | 1700 × 1500 × 1600 mm | Main 1780 × 1500 × 1600 mm + auxiliary 500 × 900 × 1000 mm |
| Weight | 880 kg | 850 kg standard |
| Max PCB size | 400 × 300 mm | 330 × 300 mm (customisable) |
| Lead span | 5.00–20.00 mm | 5.0–22 mm |
| Feeder stations | 5/10/20/30/40/50/60 | 10/20/30/40 |
| Air source | 0.6–0.8 MPa | 0.5–0.7 MPa |
Which options should you decide before ordering?
The S4000 is configured to order. Key choices per the product page: feeder bank size (size it for your whole product family plus spare stations), dual jumper-wire feeders, automatic PCB loading (the brochure says one operator can manage three to five machines), built-in air storage tank, built-in 3 kVA regulator, and component height or board size beyond the standard envelope.
How fast will it really run on your board?
Use 20,000 CPH for datasheet comparison and the 10,000 CPH actual figure for planning. Your real rate depends on parts per board, span changes, rotation changes, feeder count and board transfer. Southern Machinery offers a demo on your boards to measure it.
What to send for a quotation
- Bare board size, thickness and Gerber or hole list
- Axial part list with lead diameter, span and body height
- Jumper wire gauges used
- Number of axial part numbers across your product family
- Daily volume and whether in-line loading is needed
FAQ
What can the S4000 insert?
Taped axial components such as diodes and resistors, plus jumper wire, with lead diameter 0.3–0.8 mm.
Can it insert at angles other than 0° and 90°?
Yes. The servo rotary table turns the board to the angle stored for each program line.
Can it run jumper wire without tape?
Per the 2024 brochure, yes; barrel-fed jumper wire is supported, with dual feeders for 0.5 mm and 0.6 mm wire.
What is its real speed?
The brochure lists 20,000 CPH top and 10,000 CPH actual; your board's rate should be confirmed in a demo.
Does it support MES?
The manual lists 4G IoT, MES-compatible data and black-box logging.
See the full S4000 product page
Full copy, axes table, gallery and videos: S4000 Axial Insertion Machine product page.
Contact: info@smthelp.com · WhatsApp +86 136 0256 2576 · www.smthelp.com