Computrol, Inc., a provider of mid- to low-volume, high-mix electronic manufacturing services to OEMs, announced that it has invested in another Kulicke & Soffa Assembléon AX-501 pick-and-place system. Additionally, the company added another iFlex H1 end-of-line solution.
The AX-501/iFlex H1 line was installed at the company’s manufacturing facility in Meridian to compliment the two existing systems and two Mydata/Mycronic lines. “This gives us more capacity and flexibility to meet customer demands, deadlines and requirements,” said James Spencer, Engineering Manager. “We chose the AX-501 again because of its combined flexibility, speed and placement accuracy. We have realized significant improvements in our throughput and DPM rates.”
The system is fully modular with an output of up to 121,000 components/hour (IPC9850) and 260 feeding inputs. Even with such high placement rates, it has accuracy down to an excellent 25 μm, CpK1.0. The equipment places components varying from 01005 at full speed, right up to those measuring 45 mm2. With easy-to-use feeder trolleys, fast changeovers are guaranteed.
The iFlex H1 offers odd-form and gripper capabilities. The system is ideal for ICs and fine-pitch placements (1 placement robot, placement speed of 7,100 cph, max 146 twin tape feeder positions/max 30 tray positions). The added flexibility enables the assembly of high‐quality PCBs at any quantity, no matter how much variety. This makes iFlex ideal for the company’s high product mix environment.
With this implementation, the company benefits from the highest placement accuracy with constant component monitoring from pick-to-place and on-the-fly laser alignment. Additionally, the system features a fully software-controlled, service-driven pick-and-place cycle: controlled pick, optimum acceleration and deceleration process, and controlled placement.
Core to its business, the company continues to focus on prototyping and low to medium volume, high mix production of PCB, box build, cable harness and backplane assemblies. With their advanced mid- to low-volume electronics manufacturing capabilities, this allows the company to produce cost-effective custom assemblies and products with JIT-dependability, flexibility and quality.
