Product category:
PCB Assembly Equipment and Tools
News Release from: Contax
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 14 December 2005
Delphi equips new SMT line
Delphi has purchased an Electrovert OmniExcel 10 reflow oven and custom-designed Rommel board handling equipment from production automation specialist Contax .
Delphi, the international electronic components manufacturer, has purchased an Electrovert OmniExcel 10 reflow oven and custom-designed Rommel board handling equipment from production automation specialist Contax These new systems will be used to equip a new SMT production line at its Liverpool facility
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 14 Apr 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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This features dual lane conveyoring as the new PCBs will have components top and bottom.
It can accommodate 90 degree turns and supports SMEMA, so enabling communication with other equipment on the line.
The Rommel solution encompasses a total handling system including barcode label application, turntables and reject intelligent input conveyors.
The boards start at a dog leg configuration, and are loaded automatically into a label applicator stacker which applies a barcode for traceability.
They proceed to the screen printer and turn 90 degrees to go down the main line.
A barcode scanner mounted on the conveyor scans and records the data before the PCBs go through an AOI (automatic optical inspection) system.
The boards then go for placement and through the OmniExcel reflow oven.
They then continue through to Rommel's long cooling conveyor, the barcodes are scanned again and the units go through a further AOI.
Finally, they go into the Rommel inverter which turns the board over so that the PCBs can be processed on the reverse side.
If, following the AOI, the boards fail at any stage, then the intelligent Rommel conveyor will reject them so ensuring the integrity of the batch.
The OmniExcel 10 oven was selected as Delphi already had an earlier model and was very satisfied with its reliability, robust construction and effectiveness.
The new OmniExcel offers closed loop oxygen control, measuring oxygen levels in ppm (parts per million) and adjusting the levels of nitrogen pumped into the unit to dispel the oxygen.
This aids the reflow process and ensures better joint integrity of the solder fillet.
"When we needed a sophisticated new line that could cater for dual lane production we immediately contacted Contax", explained Dave Hamilton, Manufacturing Engineering Team Leader at Delphi.
"We already have a lot of equipment from Contax and have always been happy with their service and support".
"They have a large UK presence with a lot of service engineers, so post sales support is very good and they have access to a readily available hub of spares.
"We already had both Rommel conveyors and Electrovert reflow equipment, so we knew that they met our demanding requirements.
Our old Omni oven has performed more reliably than the other reflow equipment on site, so we wanted to get the latest version.
"The new Rommel system offers the dual lane capability and intelligence that we require and will interface with all the other systems on the line".
"So at various points it will read barcodes and send information to our own factory information system (FIS)".
"If the product fails then the conveyor will reject it automatically, so saving us time and money thus giving us real time process control.
"It is much faster than our old line and we can handle more than one product at a time - running top and bottom side.
In theory it could be used to produce two different units for customers, which could be a bonus.
"Contax have provided us with the right equipment for our needs, and offer the security of a reliable service back-up to help ensure that we meet our production targets", he concluded.
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