The growing demands placed on small PCB series and prototype manufacturers make these companies look for profitable solutions. They are looking for equipment that can handle all the components available on the market, providing intuitive operation and quick set-up.
Making a prototype of one printed circuit board in an express time is a cost from several hundred to several thousand zlotys. This is a considerable sum, especially if the design of the device is in its initial phase of development and with uncertain business prospects. In order to develop a final product of such projects it is often necessary to make at least a few, and sometimes as much as a dozen. Unfortunately, even assuming a total of several dozen PCBs per month, still such a small batch production would not be the basis for purchasing an automatic assembly line.
However, design offices and specialist companies that make single orders for individual customers or ones that require the development of unique designs to shorten the execution time, are always interested in buying their own small production line exclusively for small batch assembly.
SMALL AND MEDIUM SCALE ASSEMBLY
On the market there are system solutions for small batch production designed for construction and engineering offices or research departments operating within small and medium-sized companies. Thanks to them, their work does not interfere with current production, allowing for quick production of several or more boards per week, without any dependence on external companies or current production orders.
TWS Automation’s SMD, Quadra DVC EVO assembly machine, opens up new areas of activity in small and medium volume production thanks to its individual configuration, high precision and reliability. The machine achieves a performance of 4400 CPH and is equipped with a two-nozzle head with vision system for component positioning.
Summing up the assembly capabilities, the machine is able to stack a very wide range of components such as chip from 0201, Melf, Mini Melf, SOT components, diodes, ICs up to 40 mm, BGA up to 55×55 mm, inductance trimmers and aluminum electrolytic capacitors. The design of the machine enables the assembly of components in 8 to 44 mm tapes, allowing the machine to be equipped with up to 120 feeders for 8 mm tapes. Moreover, it is possible to install component feeders in bars, trays and the THT version such as LEDs.
The device can be optionally equipped with an additional third dosing head for paste and other substances. The machine then applies the soldering paste completely by itself, having recorded documentation as CAD files, arranges the components. This solution gives you the possibility to build a line consisting only of a component dispenser and a soldering furnace, which ensures adequate performance even for medium production volumes.
SMALL SERIES AND PROTOTYPE PRODUCTION
The NeoDen4 is the answer to the needs of manufacturers with much smaller volumes, companies and offices that are strictly involved in the production of prototypes. The performance of the machine when assembling chip components is 4400 CPH. This is a really good result in this class. All thanks to the fact that in one cycle, the head equipped with 4 nozzles (suction cups) inspects the components taken in at a very fast pace using the vision system. Each of the 4 nozzles can have different suction cups, so you can mount a wide range of components, from 0201 to TQFP240 (35×35 mm) and a maximum height of 5 mm. As standard, the manufacturer provides suction cups with dimensions of 3×0.7 mm (from 0402), 3×1.4 mm (from 1206), 2×2.2 mm (SOP) and 2×4 mm (5-12 mm systems).
The number of 8 mm wide belt feeders that can be installed in the NeoDen4 is 48. A total of 8 electric belt feeders are included: 5×8 mm, 2×12 mm, 1×16 mm.
Moreover, the machine is equipped with a holder for components fed from the tray and a vibrating feeder with 5 tracks. A significant function is the assembly of components on a PCB with dimensions as big as 310×1500 mm, but in the version with optional transport only. In this mode, the machine places the components on the PCB parts, then the board is automatically moved and after recognizing reference points, the components are placed on the next PCB part. Working over such a large area can be important when long boards with LED components have to be mounted.
An additional advantage, which significantly reduces the cost of investment in such a machine is the fact that the machine does not need an external compressor.
TESTS OF DEVICES
Few companies in Poland offer unrestricted access to machines with which the customer can perform production tests on their own applications and components and check the effectiveness of machines in unusual solutions and conditions.
Such a comparison of the capabilities of the machines in the demo-room conditions gives the basis for making factual decisions because it explains most questions, problems and doubts.
That is why Renex invites its customers to compare the operation of the described equipment in production conditions – in the Technology Centre in Włocławek, where we present individual elements of the line in operation.
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