-
- News
- Books
Featured Books
- smt007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current IssueComing to Terms With AI
In this issue, we examine the profound effect artificial intelligence and machine learning are having on manufacturing and business processes. We follow technology, innovation, and money as automation becomes the new key indicator of growth in our industry.
Box Build
One trend is to add box build and final assembly to your product offering. In this issue, we explore the opportunities and risks of adding system assembly to your service portfolio.
IPC APEX EXPO 2024 Pre-show
This month’s issue devotes its pages to a comprehensive preview of the IPC APEX EXPO 2024 event. Whether your role is technical or business, if you're new-to-the-industry or seasoned veteran, you'll find value throughout this program.
- Articles
- Columns
Search Console
- Links
- Events
||| MENU - smt007 Magazine
East West Manufacturing Selects ASM’s SIPLACE SX as Placement Platform of Choice
June 16, 2022 | ASM Assembly SystemsEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
ASM Assembly Systems (ASM) has been chosen as East West Manufacturing’s (East West) printing and placement preferred equipment supplier for the EMS leader’s Wisconsin facility, the company announced. Three high-flexibility SIPLACE SX machines preceded by a DEK NeoHorizon stencil printer form the foundation of East West’s inaugural ASM line. A second, two-station SIPLACE SX production line will be delivered this summer. Atlanta, GA-based East West, a global engineering and manufacturing services company, is rapidly expanding its footprint domestically and internationally. The company’s Whitewater, WI operation, recently acquired from Universal Electronics, is a key site for the North American region, serving customers in the medical, industrial, communications and defense industries.
Nate Schwichtenberg, East West SMT Process Engineer, who has worked at the WI facility for over 12 years, explains the move to partner with ASM: “We build just about everything here – from prototypes and NPI up to 5,000 piece orders – so, flexibility, efficiency and the highest quality are essential,” he says. “Several suppliers were evaluated and, ultimately, ASM emerged as the clear front-runner, as the equipment adaptability, open automation capability, software and programming, along with feeders, SPI technology and scalability simply delivered the most comprehensive solution.”
Initially securing a single SIPLACE SX platform, the company quickly had to scale up to accommodate increasing ventilator build volumes during the pandemic. East West’s single head SIPLACE SX was upgraded, adding a second MultiStar placement head, and the ease of scalability was proof-positive of ASM’s advantage. Two additional SIPLACE SX2 machines and a ProcessLens SPI platform were installed shortly thereafter to form the current line. The ASM equipment’s speed, technology range and reliability allowed East West to eliminate four of its former nine SMT lines. Today, more than 70% of its SMT placements are managed on the SIPLACE SX platforms, with high-complexity assemblies verified on the ProcessLens.
“For the more complicated assemblies we produce, the ProcessLens has been a game-changer,” Schwichtenberg explains, revealing that since production began on the ASM line, quality has improved by nearly 15%. “For one product, 95% of the board is covered by shields and also contains many small QFNs, BGAs and 0201s. Using the ProcessLens to verify paste accuracy and the SIPLACE SX’s onboard inspection, we haven’t missed a single placement on that assembly. That’s pretty incredible.”
According to Schwichtenberg, who estimates the line could see upwards of six changeovers a day, ASM’s common setup feature has saved the team countless hours. “Being able to group jobs allows us to put multiple assemblies on a single setup, so changing products is very quick because we don’t have to move feeders in and out,” he says. “This feature, as well as the ease of programming, a common shape library and the onboard component teach functionality are genius and allow for massive efficiency and uptime.”
The performance of the ASM equipment, in addition to service responsiveness and technologies like Remote Smart Factory for virtual troubleshooting and oversight, has helped position East West for technology adaptation and volume growth. “We are confident,” Schwichtenberg concludes, “that with our expert engineering staff in combination with ASM’s equipment and software portfolio, we are future-proof, agile and Industry 4.0-ready. It’s why we’ve ordered a second line and some of the other facilities in the East West network are also investing in ASM.”
Suggested Items
Real Time with… IPC APEX EXPO 2024: Direct Imaging Equipment and Quad-wave DLP Light Engine Technology
05/03/2024 | Real Time with...IPC APEX EXPOGuest Editor Kelly Dack and MivaTek's Brendan Hogan delve into the company's innovative technologies, including direct imaging equipment and quad-wave DLP light engine technology. They highlight the benefits of direct imaging, compensation, and DART technology.
iNEMI Names Grace O'Malley CTO
05/02/2024 | iNEMIThe Board of Directors of the International Electronics Manufacturing Initiative (iNEMI) has named Grace O'Malley Chief Technical Officer (CTO).
Dubai Launches Global Blueprint for Artificial Intelligence
05/02/2024 | BUSINESS WIREDubai has launched a blueprint for Artificial Intelligence (AI), a yearly plan that will focus on harnessing the technology’s potential to improve quality of life around the world.
NextFlex Convenes the Hybrid Electronics Community at Binghamton University
05/01/2024 | NextFlexBinghamton University hosted the NextFlex hybrid electronics community on April 18 for a day of expert presentations, breakout sessions on technology and manufacturing topics, and networking.
IDTechEx Report on Quantum Technology: Nano-scale Physics for Massive Market Impact
04/30/2024 | PRNewswireThe quantum technology market leverages nano-scale physics to create revolutionary new devices for computing, sensing, and communications. Across the industry, quantum technology offers a paradigm shift in performance compared with incumbent solutions.