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ATExpo Product Wrap-up
December 31, 1969 |Estimated reading time: 11 minutes
October 11, 2006) ROSEMONT, Ill. The Assembly Technology Expo, held in conjunction with SMTA International (SMTAI) at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center this September, hosted companies involved in every aspect of SMT manufacturing. Following are a few of the products introduced and demonstrated at the show.
OK International, headquartered in Garden Grove, Calif., showcased a variety of fume-extraction products. The BVX-100 series is light weight and generates little noise. The system runs without ducting or compression. At 11" tall with a 12 × 9" plenum chamber, this unit sits on a bench top or on an under-bench mounting bracket. Two filtration configurations suit heavy soldering or light solvents or adhesive applications, and an arm attachment is available. The company's BVX-200 series includes two-arm units that fit underneath or beside benches. Sharing fan-motor specs with the 100 series, these units add a one-stage impeller to double airflow. The HEPA filters ensure 99.97% efficiency at 0.3 µm. Multi-user systems in the MFX-2200 series use a maximum suction force of 1,075 Pa. These systems can service up to eight workstations and feature re-configurable filters to adapt to different applications. The series provides filtration for small wave and reflow ovens, as well as manual stations. For fume extraction at the tip, the company created the BTX-208 system. This under-bench filtration system can network to eight workstations, with an arm that extracts fumes straight from the solder iron's tip. The configuration includes a pre, main, and activated carbon filter. OKI explained that many operators complained about fumes from lead-free solders, motivating them to introduce the extraction systems for comfort and safety in production.
Agilent Technologies, from Santa Clara, Calif., showcased its Medalist SJ-50 Series 3 automated optical inspection (AOI) system. This generation of the machine was designed based on customer input the company moved the cable track from the back to the front of the machine, simply due to feedback suggesting that maintenance would be easier in this configuration. The user interface translates into several Asian languages, with more languages expected shortly. To make the software easier to use, Agilent converted many of the operations to be photo-based. The company also created two hard drives for each machine, so that the first is always backed up by the second. Staging done on the series' conveyor reportedly reduces processing time, and optical character verification calls out misplacements, a feature designed to encourage accuracy in high-mix manufacturing. Agilent noted that they will move out a new generation about every two years to stay in-synch with component size changes and operator needs. The Series 3 can handle 01005s and lead-free inspection needs, for example. Flexibility comes from swappable heads with a changeover time of less than an hour, a variety of algorithms to search for different problems, and online support from the company. With 30-80 RGB lights, the inspection machines circumvent the need for multiple, angled cameras.
In the robotics pavilion at ATExpo, AGR Automation Ltd. of Arbroath, Scotland, demonstrated the modular Smartpod assembly platform. Onboard modular software controls reprogramming on a Windows platform, which is unusual in the robotics industry, according to Lawrence Davie, business development manager. The pod-shaped, enclosed module is manufactured from stainless steel and aluminum. With circuit boards going into an increasing number of consumer products razors, toothbrushes, photo frames AGR chose to create a last-phase assembly module specific to the electronics industry. The modules adapt to pick-and-place, casing attachment, and other functions. The welded body operates quietly and with little vibration.
On the EASi Line, Garbsen, Germany-based COMET operated the FEINFOCUS COUGAR PRO inline X-ray inspection system. Used in conjunction with AOI systems, the PRO's automated defect-recognition software detects solder voiding, hidden connection problems, and defects in BGAs. Fully automating the machine allows operators to view results of X-rays on the screen or simply in a statistical process control (SPC) print-out. A five-axes manipulator prohibits collisions during alignment, and conveyors automate loading and unloading.
Ovation Products of Bethlehem, Pa., highlighted its Quik-Lok technology, a PCB clamping system for printers. The Quik-Lok system is said to eliminate use of the conventional vacuum chamber board fixture found on most MPM printers. Ovation's product enables "over-the-top" type PCB clamping and tool-less, hands-free management. The company is tweaking its product line to improve performance and changeover, said Charles Moncavage, general manager. One of the company's biggest challenges is that different OEMs will reconfigure their tooling; Ovation must be able to interface with this tooling. Currently, the company will match their tooling specifically to its customers' machines right down to the paint color. Ovation has recently expanded into Europe, and has staff in Japan and Korea.
Apex, N.C.-based Europlacer North America announced that the company now sells direct in North America without using any distributors. The company released about 18 new products or enhancements in 2005, noted John Perrotta, vice president; it was showcasing the Flexys-10 intelligent placement system. The system targets low- to medium-volume, high-mix production a key combination for North American manufacturing. The system is also selling well in India and Asia, added Perrotta. The tabletop Flexys-10 features automatic intelligent feeder technology, which is said to simplify changeovers and raise productivity.
Viscom, headquartered in Norcross, Ga., showcased its S2088 desktop automated optical inspection (AOI) system, which inspects PCB assemblies (PCBAs) post-print and pre-reflow targeting low-volume/high-mix or prototype production. The system features a high-res color camera and precise linear motors for inspecting 0201s and ICs down to 0.4-mm pitch, said Carston Salewski, president and CEO. The linear motors also allow machine-capability testing not generally found on a tabletop system. The S2008 also accommodates PCBs up to 17.7 × 13.8". The company introduced Viscom Process Control (VPC) software for AOI systems, which features dynamic closed-loop feedback that uses actual placement data instead of static numeric-control (nc) files. Because components do not change position as much during soldering in lead-free processes, the software can provide information on placement machine accuracy, according to the company. Based on these results, placement defects are then assigned to the most suitable component of the placement system.
GE Advanced Materials (Wilton, Conn.) introduced SnapSil RTV230 adhesive for industrial assembly applications. This two-component, room-temperature silicone adhesive features a tack-free time of about six minutes, and adheres to several substrates. Target markets include aerospace, medical, appliance, and consumer goods products that require a faster cure speed or low-temperature curing.
Used to engrave bar codes, product model numbers, logos, company names, and serial numbers on PCBs, the ELM-700A Laser Marking System, from San Diego-based Eunil H.A. Americas, can mark bar codes in one or two dimensions, text, graphic data, and computer-aided design (CAD) data. The need for laser marking has been on the rise, noted Peter Kim, sales and marketing, because of the need for traceability. One key market for such technology is the automotive sector, added Kim, but other markets, such as consumer goods, are moving toward this capability. The company also showcased its ELC-200 Label Print and Attach System for applying labels onto PCBs or final products. This PC-operated system can handle PCBs from 50 × 50 mm to 330 × 250 mm, features a tri-color lamp with audible alarm, uses a mechanical front stopper and clamper, and conforms to SMEMA Specification 1.2. Branching out from its core technologies, Eunil has entered into a distribution agreement with Jaesung Precision Co. Ltd, a manufacturer of spare parts for pick-and-place systems. Eunil's partner company, Tamura H.A. Machinery, displayed the HC3332KLF2 nitrogen-inclined wave soldering system. As part of the KLF2 series, the wave soldering system works with the company's Mr. FLIP solder bath for lead-free soldering.
Test Coach Corporation (Hoffman Estates, Ill.) introduced Ultra FINN, an LED test solution aimed at testing for accurate placement of closely spaced LEDs on PCBs. The solution is said to eliminate the need for using light pipes, which require additional know-how for fixture companies to install. The system detects 2,000 different hues between blue and red with improved delineation between color shades; this is said to improve accuracy and definition. The tester measures most LEDs in less than 10 ms, a 20× improvement over the company's previous-generation tester, the Smart FINN. Target markets include telecom, automotive, and industrial applications.
CyberOptics of Minneapolis displayed its SE 300 Ultra, a 3-D, inline solder paste inspection (SPI) system said to increase line cycle times. Features include a conveyor to fit panel sizes from 101 × 35 mm to 508 × 508 mm, flexible conveyor-rail options, program call-up using a bar-code reader, and the ability to detect and read skip marks, and exclude extraneous data from inspection results. The system handles odd-shaped pads. While most companies implement inspection post-reflow, this can hinder process improvement, said Steve DiMarco, vice president of marketing. More sophisticated companies are adding SPI on the line, particularly high-reliability markets such as automotive. Because these markets can't rework the board, they need to catch defects further up the line. Cell phone manufacturers are also looking to SPI as device functionalities increase, added DiMarco.
Michael DiCiacca, field operations and training manager for Assembleon America in Alpharetta, Ga., demonstrated the capabilities of the A-Series placement machine, which features a tray expansion addition that lets customers pick up larger parts. This optimization resulted from customer requests for more flexibility and a one-machine solution, said DiCiacca. The component placement machine can be equipped with three trolleys × reaching about 100,000-component-per-hour (cph) placement. DiCiacca then ran the machine through a demo, placing a series of 01005s. While the capability to place 01005s is there, most companies are using the system in production for 0201 placement, he noted.
Valor Computerized Systems, headquartered in Yavne, Israel, announced its vShare product lifecycle management (PLM) toolset to support design for manufacture (DfM) collaborations globally between PCB design and engineering teams. DfM software is the company's "sweet spot" in the Americas, said Howard Rupprecht, director of marketing. OEMs and EMS providers often use these tools for new product introductions (NPIs), to reduce design cycles and eliminate spins. With vShare, users can access a centralized, scalable and secure platform to view the development process, from design changes and reviews through final manufacturing sign-off. The challenge was to move away from strictly using DfM and move into operation software, said Rupprecht. Understanding how to optimize the software offers companies the best return on investment (ROI), he added. The company has also recently acquired several technologies from Switzerland-based EO Tech GmbH, including systems for test and inspection, workflow management, and quality control. According to the agreement, Valor has acquired exclusive rights to EO Tech's electronics assembly, quality assurance, and test-and-repair software.
Bob Douglas, president; and David Ocasio, senior software engineer, of Inovaxe in Sarasota, Fla., explained the company's INOKIT kitting software, which, when combined with the INOCART material handling system, facilitates kitting and reloading on SMT lines. The configurable material-handling solution uses one-package/one-location technology that handles reels, tubes, trays, and feeders to reduce machine set up/tear down and reload, lowering labor costs and increasing machine usage. With production lines moving to lead-free manufacturing processes, the need to effectively manage and trace RoHS-compliant materials is increasing, noted Bob Douglas. The company also offers INOSOURCE, a procurement program that allows manufacturers to know when material stock is getting low and should be reordered, which can lower lost labor costs related to procurement activities and high component costs.
David Bernard, Ph.D., X-ray systems product manager for Dage Precision Industries (Fremont, Calif.) explained capabilities of the XD7600NT digital X-ray inspection system, which is equipped with a 2-megapixel imaging system for enhanced resolution, 250-nm feature recognition, and oblique views up to 70° in any position. The company also showcased the computerized tomography (CT) option for its XiDat XD7600NT system enabling 3-D modeling and volumetric measurement of solder joints. To help us understand the machine's full capabilities, David Bernard showed us some X-rays he had taken of a bat that had perished at the hands (actually paws) of his cat. Despite obvious applications in bat X-ray, the system is equally suitable for analytical analysis of solder interconnections for stacked die, MEMS, package-in-package (PiP), and package-on-package (PoP) applications. Bernard also gave us signed copies of A Practical Guide to X-ray Inspection Criteria and Common Defect Analysis, a book that gives readers a slew of X-ray images that can be used as a reference guide for X-ray system operators.
Aqueous Technologies, headquarted in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., is currently working in the high-reliability realm with military and medical electronics manufacturers seeking cleaner boards, said Joe Herr, sales manager. These markets are especially concerned with cleanliness factors of implantable medical devices or landing gear in the aerospace market, for example. The company has also teamed up with an environmentally friendly cleaning solvent supplier with the hopes of aligning products for a full solution. When discussing outsourcing to low-cost regions within the electronics industry, Kevin Buckner, international sales manager, noted that Russia is a diamond in the rough with potential to become a large outsourcing region. The country hasn't had the infrastructure in the past, noted Buckner, but it's starting to build and become a private enterprise. "It's like a birth of a country. But what they build in Russia, stays in Russia." Once banking within that region is more controlled, there will be greater potential there, he added. Aqueous plans to introduce products at APEX in February. "We're looking to a new product range to take us into a more complete market," said Buckner. This new product may be competition for inline cleaning systems.
Indium Corporation of Utica, N.Y., talked to us about their Reliability Program, which focuses on the goals and needs of the end-user. Indium noted that the reliability issue boils down to "nothing breaking," and that reliable solder alloys prevent chip movement, cracks, or separation from the PCB. Indium offers a variety of lead-free and tin/lead alloys, and uses the program to ensure proper alloy usage on a customer-by-customer basis.