New Products: Placement Systems, Feeders, and Carriers
December 31, 1969 |Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Following are the new pick-and-place machines, substrate handlers, components, and feeders for SMT and through hole component placement from Juki, Bliss Industries, Leader Tech, Assembleon, Panasonic Factory Solutions of America, Siemens, and MYDATA.
Capacity on DemandMinimizing the cost per placement of electronics assembly, True Capacity on Demand is a program where electronics manufacturers can buy the Assembléon pick-and-place equipment they need for day-to-day production, and hire in extra robot heads to increase capacity in peak periods. Modular, calibration-free robots are adaptable and easy to add to existing machines on the line. Without the need for drastic modifications, the machine configuration itself remains unchanged, machine footprints do not increase and the production line itself is left undisturbed. In co-operation with customers, Assembléon helps determine the most cost-effective baseline production capacity and specifies its equipment to meet this level. When peak production periods are expected, the company rents out extra robot heads to temporarily increase output. These are delivered within a week. Customers pay only for extra capacity when it is actually being used, with the extra modules being returned to Assembléon after the peak period is over. The program is enabled by the modular design of its A-Series machines. The systems use true parallel placement that optimizes every placed component. With 6 to 20 individual robots, each placing 6,000 components an hour, Assembléon can configure any output between 36,000 components/hour and 121,000 cph (to IPC 9850). Royal Philips Electronics subsidiary Assembléon, www.assembleon.com.
Modular Placement SystemThe MC (Modular Compact) Platform has multiple features that reduce costs in high-quality, high-mix production lines. Comprising the MC-12, MC-1, and MC-8 machines, MC-Platform is designed for up to 126 12-mm feeders on each machine. An advanced side-view camera prevents placement defects. The platform has full-featured graphical programming tools, and common family set-ups and production scheduling. A full software suite significantly reduces the time and associated costs of product change-over and NPI. There is central parts and program management, with line control and program distribution and full product traceability. Preventive maintenance functions are integrated into the platform. Intelligent and lightweight feeders can be changed in seconds. The feeders are programmed by the system using settings from a complete component database. Off-line preparation, on-line loading units, and FES (Feeder Exchange Systems) are also included. All machines are equipped with tape cutting. The MC-12 has a vision recognition system that uses a moving side-view scan camera with advanced optics. That simultaneously takes X and Y component measurements. The system helps prevent misplaced or missing components, and rejects components with bent leads, damaged bumps, or flipped. The MC-12 chip shooter places up to 36,000 cph (24,000 cph to IPC 9850) with 50-µm accuracy at 3 sigma. With up to 120 feeder positions, space productivity is 20,000 cph/m2. The MC-1 multifunctional mounter offers 19,100 cph; the MC-8 fine-pitch mounter places 8,900 cph with 119 feeder positions and both offer 30-µm accuracy. Automatic nozzle cleaning is standard. On-board tools enable teaching of placement locations, fiducials and component shapes. Assembléon, www.assembleon.com.
Assembly System ToolingTape Presenter enables manufacturers to use small component tape strips, placed onto a Tape Presenter where the machine can pick the component up with ease, in the same way it would a reel. Three Tape Presenter size options are available. JUKI Europe, www.jas-smt.com.
Rack Supporting Juki FeedersSeveral new models of feeder racks were designed to support Juki's 700 NF & FF, and 2000 CTF feeders. One rack support all types of Juki feeders. Bliss offers a setup rack, along with 22, 36, and 60" racks. These all fit Bliss' standard open style carts, along with two other feeder racks. Bliss now supports all the Juki and previous Zevatech feeders. The racks are designed to interface with and protect Juki feeders. Various cart sizes and dimensions are available for storage or set-up. Bliss Industries Inc., www.blissindustries.com.
Single Platform Assembly System with Next-gen SoftwareThe NPM (Next Production Modular) modular assembly system features interchangeable, plug-and-play placement heads for nearly any component, screen printing capabilities, solder paste inspection (SPI), adhesive dispense (ADH), and post-placement inspection (AOI). Both heads of each NPM unit work on both stages to utilize the dual-lane configuration. The dual screen printer (DSP) module performs parallel, simultaneous printing of two unique products. The NPM is built on the CM series placement platform and inherent process technologies such as PoP, APC, 3D sensing, chip thickness sensing and more. This system redefines flexibility and performance. Productivity is up to 25,000 cph/m2. Intelligent feeders and nozzles with interchangeable head capabilities are the same as the CM series. Exchange carts provide virtually zero downtime opportunities during changeover for a lean production system. It can be integrated with the next-generation MES suite. PanaCIM Enterprise Edition MES software includes nine modules: Production Analysis, Production Planning, Production Monitoring and Dispatch, Material Verification, Traceability, Material Control, Product Changeover and Control, Maintenance, and Enterprise Link. Panasonic Factory Solutions Company of America, www.panasonicfa.com.
Feeder CareSIPLACE Feeder Care Solutions 2009 maintenance program includes SIPLACE Feeder Manager software, which alerts users of the condition of their feeders and locates them in the factory, adding control of the on-site feeder inventory. The data supplied from the SIPLACE Feeder Manager is then used by the SIPLACE Feeder Care Packages for X- and S-feeders. These packages contain test stations for functional tests and error analysis, as well as special tooling. Users can perform their own maintenance and repairs in-house reliably and in accordance with quality standards. The software displays maintenance intervals, test and repair instructions as well as each feeder's history on a reportedly user-friendly and easy-to-administer interface, while the SIPLACE Test Stations include all of the hardware to check and troubleshoot feeders. The Siemens Electronics Assembly Systems LLC (SEAS), www.siplace.com.
EMI ShieldLow Profile Slot-Lok circuit board shields offer board-level interference shielding for applications with height requirement of less than 0.225". This two-piece design is based on the company's Slot-Lok platform with a compact profile. The shields are manufactured from RoHS-compliant materials and exhibit good solder characteristics, corrosion resistance, and shielding effectiveness. Low Profile Slot-Lok shields use standardized production methods that allow engineers to design a near-custom solution without incurring tooling charges or extended delivery times. Leader Tech, www.leadertechinc.com.
Batch Placement System for NPI/Low-volumeJX-100 is a batch machine originally designed for developing markets, but also suited to NPI and low-volume/OEM applications. It offers versatility, economical investment, and a small footprint. Focusing on essential functions and achieving high productivity, JX-100 uses the same laser centering found on higher-end models. Featuring a smaller and lighter body, and a power-saving design, the mounter's feeders and nozzles can be shared with other Juki models. The system supports component sizes from 0402s to 33.5 mm2. JX-100 also features an automatic tool changer, which allows nozzles to be automatically changed during manufacturing according to the type of component. Easy operation targets entry-level operators. It also features simplified data entry and a fully graphical touch panel that reduces the need for language-specific text. A touch screen is standard. Juki Corporation, www.jas-smt.com.
High-mix Component Placement SystemsNew MY100 Series machines, the MY100SX andMY100LX, are based on the MY100 platform. The MY100SX handles short batches through continuous production at up to 21,500 cph, and the MY100LX provides high-quality/high-mix placement. Based on the same technology as the MY100DX, the MY100SX and LX provide reliability and accuracy. The feeder count has been increased without affecting the machine footprint. The systems use the reportedly flexible and easy-to-use operating system and smart feeder concept, Agilis. MYDATA automation AB, www.mydata.com.