--- title: "Alta: Automated Desktop Pick and Place and Solder Paste Dispensing" description: Tired of PCB assembly slowing your R&D down? Voltera’s Alta is a pick and place and solder paste dispensing machine designed for rapid board validation. image: https://info.voltera.io/hubfs/Alta%20photos/Alta-placing-large-component-PCB-solder-paste.webp --- [Skip to content](https://info.voltera.io/alta-pick-and-place-gs#main-content) ![voltera logo](https://info.voltera.io/hs-fs/hubfs/2025_Wordmark-white-outline.webp?width=667&height=277&name=2025_Wordmark-white-outline.webp) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Contact us](https://info.voltera.io/alta-pick-and-place-gs#contact) [Contact us](https://info.voltera.io/alta-pick-and-place-gs#contact) ![Voltera](https://info.voltera.io/hubfs/Voltera-Alta-wordmark-light-left-aligned.svg) Coming soon # PCB files to assembled prototypes, faster. Alta is a desktop pick and place machine built for rapid prototyping, helping engineers turn PCB files into assembled prototypes faster. ## Who’s using Voltera? ![Western University logo](https://info.voltera.io/hs-fs/hubfs/Western.webp?width=500&height=500&name=Western.webp) ![nasa-small-3](https://info.voltera.io/hs-fs/hubfs/nasa-small-3.webp?width=335&height=281&name=nasa-small-3.webp) ![Stanford](https://info.voltera.io/hs-fs/hubfs/Stanford.webp?width=500&height=500&name=Stanford.webp) ![Duke University logo](https://info.voltera.io/hs-fs/hubfs/Duke.webp?width=500&height=500&name=Duke.webp) ![NextFlex](https://info.voltera.io/hs-fs/hubfs/Testimonial%20Logos%20(Other%20companies)/NextFlex.png?width=1195&height=1195&name=NextFlex.png) ## Why do traditional PnPs bottleneck your prototyping? Most pick and place machines are optimized for high-volume, static production runs — the exact opposite of prototyping. Engineering teams operate in a high-mix, low-volume reality defined by rapid design iterations. In this environment, minimizing setup overhead and adapting to change is far more critical than raw throughput. ### Traditional PnP assumption ### Prototype reality The same job repeats Board revisions keep changing Parts arrive on reels Parts arrive as cut tape Setup time is amortized over large volume Long setup time devours small batches Technicians run machines Engineers need usable workflows Processes are optimized for repeat production Better support for rapid iteration For R&D teams, the real bottleneck is not raw placement speed. It is the **setup friction, feeder preparation, and assembly uncertainty** that slow every prototype spin before testing even starts. ## For prototype PCB assembly, Alta just works ### Feeders built for prototyping In short-run assembly, feeder setup usually takes longer than the placement job itself. Alta’s intelligent feeders are designed to simplify component loading and reduce manual prep, bringing feeder setup time down to seconds. Alignment time Feeder setup time Placement time Graph simulated based on the following board specifications - Number of boards: **10** - Pads/board: **300** - Comps/board: **150** - BOM lines: **25** - Boards/panel: **10** 10h 7.5h 5h 2.5h 0 Average work day Alta Other PnP Simulation data - Number of boards: **10** - Pads/board: **300** - Comps/board: **150** - BOM lines: **25** - Boards/panel: **10** *Alta is currently in development. Footage is of prototype only and is not indicative of final look or performance.* ### No stencil slowdown Stencils slow down agile development cycles. Alta integrates solder paste dispensing with pick and place, so teams can make quick design revisions without ordering new stencils. Your browser does not support the video tag. Your browser does not support the video tag. ### Software that doesn't fight against you Many entry-level PnPs rely on legacy or adapted control software requiring extensive setup and guesswork. Alta’s proprietary OS is built for modern hardware engineers, with guided native file import, visual component mapping, automatic error detection, and a cleaner path from PCB files to first pick. ### Software that doesn't fight against you Many entry-level PnPs rely on legacy or adapted control software requiring extensive setup and guesswork. Alta’s proprietary OS is built for modern hardware engineers, with guided native file import, visual component mapping, automatic error detection, and a cleaner path from PCB files to first pick. Your browser does not support the video tag. ## Specifications ### Prototyping specifications\[1\] Time-to-first-placement \< 15 minutes (file import to placement) Feeder setup time \< 15 seconds per feeder Component range 0402 up to large fine-pitch ICs Placement reliability ≥ 99.8% ### Alta specifications Pick and place module - Components per hour (CPH): 1,000\[1\] - Minimum pitch: 0.5 mm\[2\] - Cut tape sizes: 0402 to 5050 - Cut tape max height: Up to 12 mm - Cut tape types\[2\]: QFNs, connectors, odd-shaped SMD components - Loose tray sizes: Up to 20 × 20 mm - Loose tray weight: Up to 30 g - Loose tray max height: Up to 15 mm - Handles both single and double-sided boards - Placement success rates: ≥ 99.8% - Board thickness constraints: 1.2-2.54 mm - Board finishes: HASL, ENIG, OSP, immersion tin, immersion silver Feeder - Component types: Cut tape, loose - Feeder sizes: 8, 12, and 16 mm widths Solder paste dispensing module - Compatible paste: Leaded, lead-free - Particle size metrics: T4, T5, T6, T7\[2\] - Minimum pitch parameters: 0.5 mm\[2\] - Volume density: Up to 5 cc cartridge - Supports dynamic solder dots and lines Software - Operating system: Browser-based layout - Automated optical inspection framework (AOI)\[3\] - Supported file formats: Gerber, CSV from Altium Designer, Cadence OrCAD/Allegro, Kicad, and Autodesk Eagle, and Autodesk Fusion 360 Machine body - Bed size: ≈ 260 × 385 mm\[2\] - Dimensions: ≈ 659 × 665 × 490 mm\[2\] - Weight: ≈ 32 kg\[2\] - Power requirements: 100-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz - Connectivity framework: Laptop interface - Compatible modules: Pick and place module, solder paste dispenser ## Get early access to Alta EARLY ACCESS TO 30% DISCOUNT\[4\] Normally $9,999 $6,999 [Join Early Access](https://info.voltera.io/alta-pick-and-place-gs#form-anchor) ## Why Voltera Voltera is a Canadian company dedicated to catalyzing innovation by lowering barriers to entry. We build electronics tools that help customers tackle meaningful challenges Today, Voltera products are used in 92 countries by organizations such as **NASA**, **MIT**, **Harvard University**, **leading technology companies**, and **government research centres**. \[1\] Simulation assumptions: Results are based on a batch of 10 double-sided PCBs, each containing 300 solder paste deposits, 150 placed components, and 25 BOM line items. Performance data for other pick and place systems is based on testing conducted by Voltera. Alta is currently under development, and performance characteristics are preliminary and subject to change. \[2\] Bed size, dimensions, weight, cut tape component types, solder paste particle size, and minimum pitch are subject to change. \[3\] AOI is an optional software add-on, available post-launch. \[4\] Early-access is only open to customers in Canada and the U.S.. Pricing and availability are subject to inventory.   ©2026 Voltera Inc.![](https://info.voltera.io/hubfs/_Voltera%20Brand%20Assets/Logos/Icon_light%20grey.png) All rights reserved. facebook-f icon linkedin-in icon Twitter icon instagram icon --- [![voltera logo](https://info.voltera.io/hs-fs/hubfs/2025_Wordmark-white-outline.webp?width=667&height=277&name=2025_Wordmark-white-outline.webp "voltera logo")](http://voltera.io) 123 Main Street, City, State 11111 Copyright © 2026, Voltera