Tracking system based on GSM/GPS technology

Niklas Adreasson, Head of Machinery Technologies, NOTE, said; „We’ve been using different DEK printers for over 20 years now, so when we were faced with the challenge of producing this new piece of equipment, we were confident that DEK’s new Stinger technology would do the job.”

As an integrated low volume adhesive dispense module, the Stinger technology enables dual function capability from a single screen printer and was the ideal tool for NOTE to use with DEK’s Horizon O2i print platform. NOTE’s intention was to produce boards that were double sided with heavy components on each side, which traditionally would have presented a number of challenges.

During the required process, glue dots were dispensed to secure two long antenna and avoid twisting during reflow. On the first side of the board, dots were dispensed underneath a heavy coil on the primary side. While this stopped the coil falling off the board during secondary reflow, it also added increased mechanical strength to the component.

Traditionally, adhesive is used to secure Surface Mount Devices (SMDs) to the underside of the board during wave soldering or, for large components in a reflow system. However, Stinger enables manufacturers to dispense adhesive dots on a pre-programmed pattern after the paste printing process has finished. It is an ideal solution for mixed technology applications using both solder paste and adhesives; this is particularly true where adhesive is deposited for large devices that still require a wave solder process or where products are exposed to harsh environments.

Commenting that the new software was easy to use and impressed that parameters enabled a very repeatable dot size, Adreasson continues: ”DEK’s Stinger technology provided us with the flexibility to extend the number of applications we produced on the Horizon 02i in order to accommodate the new livestock tracking equipment. It is an extremely sophisticated GSM/GPS product, so it was imperative that the production was spot on. ”Even when warpage existed on the board we still achieved a constant dot size by using the measure and dispense option. We dispensed 48 dots per panel on the first side and 24 dots per panel on the second side; so far, we haven’t had any mechanical problems. The DEK software is known to be robust, and it’s still stable with the Stinger software installed.”

With offices in Norway, Finland, the UK, Baltic States, Poland, China and throughout Sweden, NOTE has over 1,200 employees working to keep it as one of Scandinavia’s leading EMS/CEM businesses. Offering development, prototyping, cost-efficient volume production and industrialisation, NOTE’s SMT department houses a number of DEK printers including DEK Infinity and Horizon O2i and has used DEK equipment for over 20 years. Therefore, the established relationship between the two businesses helped the project run smoothly throughout. Indeed, optimisation was further reinforced by the support delivered by Scanditron, which acted as an extension of the DEK business with its in-depth knowledge of printing equipment and reputation as a knowledgable support partner in Nordic countries.

Adreasson comments: ”DEK’s service reputation is well known and we feel that they have helped us through the entire process by being extremely supportive of the Stinger installation. We haven’t really had any problems. Installation only took about five hours, training and programming took only two hours and then fine tuning took about eight. For such a sophisticated addition to our printing process, the time it took to install and get working to our exact specifications really wasn’t very long at all.”

Featuring innovative patented technology, Stinger eliminates unnecessary stoppages such as cleaning after dispensing tip changes which ultimately results in increased productivity. For NOTE, whose work includes working with mixed technology boards, these advantages were particularly significant. Adreasson explains: ”It was very easy to change the glue and dispensing tip; in fact, we managed to change the glue in less than a minute.”

Dispensing through a patented consumable auger valve system contained within the Stinger module, the technology enables simple adhesive changeover with no system cleaning required. The removed valve can also be reused with product changeover taking just a few minutes. By ensuring rapid product change and replenishment without system cleaning, Stinger minimises manual intervention to eliminate production errors and streamline dispensing performance.

Adreasson continues; ”As with all DEK products, the set-up was very easy. Maintenance too is extremely straightforward; we leave glue cartridges in the machine after production and only change the dispensing needle to a cap. On commencing production, we then replace the cap with a new needle. We’ve only had to change the feed screw once and it was so simple, no tools were required. For such innovative technology, the set up and maintenance is refreshingly simple.”

Without replacing regular dispensers, Stinger facilitates dual functionality to extend application possibilities for customers like NOTE, working with mixed technology PCBs. DEK’s European Product Manager, Rick Goldsmith, concludes; “We’re delighted that a leading company such as NOTE has benefited from our latest technological advances. The advantages with Stinger are plain to see – its ability to be easily attached to a standard DEK printer, its facilitation of dual functionality, its extension of application possibilities, and its dot size ability to match precise production requirements. Stinger undoubtedly enabled NOTE to produce a sophisticated GSM/GPS system utilising existing machinery and, in turn, facilitated their creation of a high-end livestock tracking device. As a company renowned for its high quality, innovative production, it’s rewarding to see that NOTE chose DEK as its technology partner for its latest high technology product.”

www.dek.com; www.note.eu/en

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NOTE Norrtelje AB (NNO) is a factory in Norrtelje, 70 km north of Stockholm. The SMT department has one line for prototyping (DEK infinity, Mydata My19 and Rehm V8) and one flexible line for both high volume and fast changeovers (DEK Horizon, Siemens X3, X2, F5, Rehm VX).

NOTE is one of the leading EMS / CEM companies in Scandinavia with contract manufacturing units from the north to the south of Sweden. With companies in Norway, Finland, the United Kingdom, the Baltic States, Poland and China, NOTE has approximately 1,200 employees and a turnover of SEK 1 710 m 2008.

Scanditron is a market-leading supplier of machines, materials, support and training for the manufacture of electronic products in the Nordic and Baltic countries and Poland.. Scanditron belongs to the EG Production Technology business area of the group ElektronikGruppen BK AB which is listed on the Swedish stock exchange.

Mit seinen zahlreichen Fertigungsstätten rund um den Globus hat EMS-Fertiger NOTE eine besondere Reputation. NOTE hat sich an seinen Partner DEK gehalten, um eine Tracking-Lösung auf Basis von GSM/GPS zu realisieren.

Avec de nombreux sites de production implantés dans le monde entier, NOTE, entreprise EMS leader en Scandinavie, s’est fixé des objectifs très exigeants. Note est resté fidèle à son partenaire DEK pour réaliser une solution traçabilité reposant sur les technologies GSM/GPS.