Essemtec has developed a special twin vacuum table for its placement machine FLX 2011-MKL that eases the handling of flex boards and film substrates and makes it safer by allowing for a higher productivity by a factor of two. The machine is a multifunctional production cell designed for the assembly of plastic film keyboards and flex boards. The cell can automatically dispense solder paste, conductive adhesive and other types of glue, as well as placing SMDs and metal domes from different suppliers such as Nicomatic, Inovan, Kleiner, etc. Prior to this innovation, the handling of flexible substrates in the machine was critical but there was no production possible during the handling period. Essemtec has designed a cost- and time-efficient solution for the reliable flex board handling, together with a leading manufacturer of plastic film keyboards. The new twin vacuum table has twice the size of the former table and its ends protrude alternately from both sides of the placement machine. The robust table features a pneumatic servo drive that moves easily and is vibration-free. Handling tasks can be completed comfortably on the protruding side of the table, such as the placing of cover films, removal of assembled flex boards and the application of new film substrates. During this time, paste can be dispensed and components can be placed on the other end of the twin vacuum table in the machine. The subsequent vacuum table can be moved to the other direction and the handling/assembly cycle starts anew. Depending on the complexity of the flex board and the keyboard, the twin vacuum table allows for a doubling of the productivity since handling and assembly are taking place concurrently. The large dimensions of the vacuum table (working area 800 x 600 mm, 31.5 x 23.6 ”) offer the opportunity to process very large single flex boards or multiple smaller boards at one go.
EPP Europe 423
Share:
