The single-head iineo features one nozzle tool bank with 40 "smart" positions, and the dual-head configuration provides two nozzle tool banks, each with 40 "smart" positions. Both systems feature standard placement accuracy of 35 µm (QFPs) to 60 µm (chips), full range of intelligent feeders for 8-88 mm tapes, for components in plastic sticks and matrix trays, and a feeder capacity of 264 x 8 mm. Also, the single head iineo can accommodate an internal matrix tray capable of holding 10 full size JEDEC trays without loss of any feeder capacity. iineo has a rotary turret pick-up head on X/Y linear motor gantries with eight pick-ups each (12 pick-ups on Tornado head), while the dual-head iineo features two independent rotary turret pick-up heads.

Depending on the configuration, the following is possible: 1) Maximum placement rate can be between 14,000 and 28,000 cph. 2) The largest PCB can reach 1,610 x 600 mm. 3) Component range is from 01005 to 70 x 70 mm. 4) The tallest component can be 34 mm height.

Possible options include glue dispense with Archimedean screw, electrical test, fixed camera, conveyor auto-width adjustment, special nozzle magazine, solder ball feeder and more.

Europlacer in profile
Europlacer has been developing machines for electronics assembly since the 1970s and invented the intelligent feeder concept in the 1980s. After acquisition by Blakell Europlacer in 1991, the company moved away from split-axis to the inherently more capable X-Y architecture that underpins the company's machines today. Europlacer's policy has been to ensure wherever possible that technology purchased many years ago, especially feeders, remain compatible with the latest equipment. Europlacer designs and manufactures a comprehensive range of highly flexible SMT placement systems for the global electronics industry.

For further information, view website: www.europlacer.com   Refer to page 130

Blakell Europlacer's IINEO- II with tornado heads, and
the SP700avi Screen Printer feature many improvements

Blakell Europlacer's Russian distributor RTS Engineering participated and exhibited at ElectronTechExpo this year; held in conjunction with Expo Electronica, at the largest Russian trade fair center, Crocus Expo, in Moscow.

Out of the Blakell Europlacer portfolio, RTS Engineering demonstrated the IINEO- II with tornado heads, the SP700avi Screen Printer and a range of Intelligent Trolleys and Feeders. This was a debut appearance in Russia for both the IINEO-II and the SP700avi.

The IINEO-II, part of the IINEO platform, is a highly flexible, dual-gantry SMT assembler, featuring many improvements to the Europlacer machine range, such as a higher feeder count, increased board size and increased maximum component height. The platform uses Europlacer's proven core features, which include turret heads, intelligent feeders and powerful software, while introducing new technologies with linear motors and digital cameras.

A core objective of the Europlacer concept has always been to protect the investment of its users by seeking upward and downward compatibility of feeders, software, and other ancillaries. This principle also has been applied to the IINEO SMT platform. It means that current users are able to utilize their existing feeder inventory; therefore, protecting their investment, reducing the configured cost of a new system and ultimately reducing the cost per placement.

Pictures show: (top) The IINEO-II, part of the IINEO platform; a highly flexible, dual-gantry SMT assembler. Below) the SP700avi, incorporating 3Dc.

Europlacer's unique range of 'truly' intelligent tape, stick and tray feeders are central to its ability to provide such unrivalled flexibility and productivity.

Intelligent feeders store data about the component type loaded and communicate with the machine to maximize placement efficiency and avoid faulty configuration. Capable of being programmed and replenished in 'standalone' mode, the feeders can be loaded to the machine while it is running. If a program requires more component types than can be loaded on the machine during initial set-up, additional components can be prepared and introduced individually or by changing a complete feeder trolley.

Each feeder is equipped with two indicator lamps to facilitate machine control, fault finding and to indicate various states of activity. Feeder intelligence allows the operator to make fine adjustments via a hand held micro-terminal, including position choice, item bar-coding and placement modifications.  In practice, these features help to maximize productivity.

The SP700avi incorporates 3Dc, an advanced user interface, which runs on WINDOWS XP PRO or Vista™. In addition to the simple and intuitive nature of the interface, it also provides comprehensive self diagnostic capabilities, such as production logging and automatic fault report generation, which enables 'on-the-fly' troubleshooting.

The printer is fully equipped, as standard, with many features, such as automatic rail width  adjust, auto stencil loading and a fully programmable Under Stencil Cleaner.  The highly efficient Stencil Cleaner may be programmed to run wet / dry, with or without vacuum and allows for full optimization of each specific product to be run. 

The vision system utilizes a unique twin roving camera 'Look Down, Look Down' method of automatic vision alignment. This innovative vision system gives Speedprint users the unique capability of checking for solder paste presence on the stencil before printing.  The vision system aligns the PCB with the stencil using fiducial marks and/or PCB/Stencil features.

Blakell Europlacer in profile
Europlacer has been developing machines for electronics assembly since the 1970s and invented the intelligent feeder concept in the 1980s. After acquisition by Blakell Europlacer in 1991, the company moved away from split-axis to the inherently more capable X-Y architecture that underpins the company's machines today. Europlacer's policy has been to ensure wherever possible that technology purchased many years ago, especially feeders, remain compatible with the latest equipment. Europlacer designs and manufactures a comprehensive range of highly flexible SMT placement systems for the global electronics industry.

For further information, view website: www.europlacer.com   Refer to page 130

RTS Engineering Ltd in profile
The company was founded in 1990 as a Soviet-Swiss Joint Venture RTS. The mission was delivery of technological equipment for PCB manufacturing, installation and putting the equipment into operation as well as guarantee and after guarantee service. Since 1992, RTS Engineering Ltd. also fulfills delivery and service of general purpose laboratory equipment for research and clinical laboratories, as well as delivery of high quality plastic for biology and medicine.  In 1996, the company was legally rewritten as a private company, RTS Engineering Ltd.

Today, RTS Engineering Ltd. is actively developing in the following directions: projection, delivery and service of technological equipment for PCB production, delivery of tools and materials for PCB production, delivery and service of SMT equipment, delivery and service of laboratory equipment, supply of laboratory plastic for medicine, biology, microbiology, veterinary medicine, food industry, medical reproductive technologies and related branches, projection, delivery and service of plating lines for general galvanic and PCB production, after-sales services and outsourcing and delivering spare parts. For further information, ,e-mail: main@rts-engineering.ru or view website: www.rts-engineering.ru

Microscan in partnership with Cogiscan develop
a new Track, Trace and Control (TTC) Solution

Microscan, a global technology leader for precision data acquisition and control solutions, showed its new Track, Trace and Control (TTC) Solution, developed in partnership with Cogiscan, at NEPCON China/EMT China 2010 exhibition and conference. The flexible solution features new Microscan TTC middleware, which can partner with any of our machine vision or auto ID hardware to address plant-wide information. The TTC middleware is the first jointly released solution since the company's strategic partnership agreement with Cogiscan last year.

Microscan's TTC middleware is specifically designed to provide work-in-progress (WIP) visibility through any factory (tracking), validate the process flow (control) and provide the history of the process steps accomplished on a product (traceability). With TTC middleware, efficient data collection is combined with error proofing to demonstrate process compliance, while reducing material and assembly costs.

Developed by experts in the electronics industry for the electronics industry, this new solution ensures that the right material is at the right place at the right time, along with the historical data to prove it. The middleware provides complete, real time data visibility across the plant floor for any and all data collection points. This can include data collected from machine vision inspections, RFID, barcode and 2D readers.

The Microscan TTC solution allows simple implementation, featuring Web-based controls and reporting, separate from the main IT plant floor network. The solution includes middleware, choice of hardware and complete visibility online for real time reporting. Connectivity to all commonly used MES and ERP systems is easily accomplished. Additionally, it features visual warnings and alarms if a product is scanned at the entry of the wrong operation or if the operation is out of sequence.

During a downturn, successful companies are those that focus on bottom line improvements, such as traceability and process workflow improvements. Microscan's TTC solution allows users to acquire more profit out of current sales and production by reducing scrap, preventing quality errors, and increasing throughput speed.

Microscan provides track, trace and control systems to a number of industries worldwide including electronics manufacturing, medical equipment, auto parts manufacturing, logistics systems and factory automation. Microscan is seeking distribution partners in China and welcomes enquiries from potential partners.

Microscan in profile
Microscan is a global leader in technology for precision data acquisition and control solutions serving a wide range of automation and OEM applications. Founded in 1982, Microscan has a strong history of technology innovation that includes the invention of the first laser diode barcode scanner and the 2D symbology, Data Matrix. Today, Microscan remains a technology leader in automatic identification and machine vision with extensive solutions for ID tracking, traceability and inspection ranging from basic barcode reading up to complex machine vision inspection, gauging, and measurement. For further information, e-mail: lhoffman@microscan.com

Cogiscan Inc. in profile
Cogiscan is the leader in Material Control for the electronics manufacturing industry. The company offers real time tracking, traceability, and control of all materials (feeders, components, PCBs, solder paste) throughout SMT and other assembly processes. Cogiscan provides cost-effective and scalable solutions that ensure the right material is at the right place at the right time.

For further information, e-mail: fmonette@cogiscan.com