Europlacer, a manufacturer of market-leading flexible SMT placement machines, announces that it has further strengthened its solutions with the launch of a new evolution of its tape feeding solution. ii-Feed is based on the strengths of the company’s proven concept of a cart plus elements but incorporates key aspects of its individual feeder technology, merging the best of both technologies. The ii-Feed Cart has a capacity up to 33 separate component channels and accepts any mix of 8, 12, 16 or 24mm smart ii-Feed elements. To continue exceeding customer needs, each individual element is fully “intelligent” and provides the same intuitiveness as the other feeders in the range of the company, which include part recognition, internal memory, auto adjustment of pick-up offset, programmable tape pitch in 2mm increments, reel batch ID and more. The tool is both faster and embeds many new features such as a component range that begins at 01005; however, it remains fully compatible with previous machine generations of the company. Both the previous and updated generations of the tape trolleys can be used on the same machine. It can be operated in three different modes like the older trolley generation, (wired/wireless micro terminal, programming ii-elements separately offline, and with or without Stock Management options), making it the most flexible cart in the industry. The elements allow for fast setups and changeovers. The same type of element can be used for tapes (paper and plastic), full reels or short tapes. There is no need for different element models depending on component size in the same tape width. Data is automatically recognized by the machines. This benefit simplifies the operator’s work and further reduces feeder inventory costs. Reels can be prepared offline in magazines for up to 11 references; the ii-Feed Cart can receive three magazines. The elements can be stored with reels in passive shelves, allowing the setup help and stock management options to quickly locate the parts necessary for the next job. The elements can be placed at any trolley location, without stopping production, and because of the turret head design, random positioning does not affect throughput. The correct loading plan is guaranteed.
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