Product category:
Electronics Manufacturing Services
News Release from: BI Electronics | Subject: FasTrak
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 09 May 2002
Speedy prototype service checks
manufacturability
An express prototyping service, which uses actual production line equipment to assemble printed circuit boards, has been introduced by contract electronics manufacturer BI Electronics.
An express prototyping service, which uses actual production line equipment to assemble printed circuit boards, has been introduced by contract electronics manufacturer BI Electronics Designated 'FasTrak', this novel service enables any potential manufacturing problems to be solved before undertaking large-scale production, significantly reducing both vital time to market and development costs
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 8 Nov 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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The demand for FasTrak originated because most large contract electronics manufacturers only offer prototyping services if assured of future high-volume orders or, more usually, they subcontract the work to smaller CEMs who produce prototypes using off mainline processes.
FasTrak allows companies to prototype very small batches, even as low as a single unit.
The multidiscipline FasTrak team first ensures that the customer design team is involved from the early stages, forming an integrated team working on design for build and the selection of components.
This team then sets up a bespoke prototyping line for each specific product at BI Electronics' Welwyn Garden City plant.
Using Philips high-speed SMD placement machines, all placements pass through either optical or laser vision, ensuring consistent highly-accurate positioning.
The current setup is capable of 0402 placement and down to 12 thou pitch.
Micro-BGA, chip-on-board and odd-shaped components can also be handled.
Prototyping costs are also reduced because the machines are adapted to use low volume stick packaged materials instead of expensive reels.
Each board is checked at various stages throughout its passage through the machines, enabling engineers to stop the process at any time and perform immediate remedial action before incorporating the changes onto the next board.
This iterative process greatly speeds the development of a product, leading to major cost savings.
At the end of each run the boards are tested and, if required, changes are made.
Often engineers from the customer are on hand to help redesign boards and ensure they meet their requirements.
Sales and marketing manager Steve Wright said: "FasTrak has been developed together with our existing customers and has led to their products being brought to the market far faster and at a considerably lower cost.
Offering the service more widely means that we can help many more companies meet their development objectives".
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