Transition Automation’s tooling division launched the Instant Fixture System (IFS) for DEK printers, using an off-line station to locate the PCB to match the machine. This allows a board-matched support tool to be created in minutes without any machine downtime. A pin placement process lets support pins to be placed close to a com-ponent or near routed areasof a PCB. The fine-pitch system, which can accommodate boards up to 20 x 17.5-in, has over 18,000 potential pin locations, ensuring thorough support. The simplistic and intuitive design eliminates the need for any pneumatics or hydraulics, and the support does not use any spring-loaded or floating components, ensuring 100% flat PCBs during printing. The IFS eliminates the need for dedicated tooling, provides better support than magnetic pins, and the off-line process allows for SMT production and tooling setup to occur simultaneously.
