Lightning speed from novel placement head

The high-speed Lightning placement head extends the performance of both Genesis and AdVantis platform systems.

Universal Instruments used the recent Productronica show to launch its high-speed Lightning placement head to extend the performance of its Genesis and AdVantis platform systems.

The new head features a radial array of 30 modular, individually controlled spindles.

This unique configuration delivers productivity-enhancing features that drive placement rates up to 54,000 component-per-hour spec speed for Genesis, and 30,000 components per hour for AdVantis.

Lightning comes to market as the industry's fastest placement head technology with a duty cycle of just 60ms - a pick-to-pick or place-to-place performance that delivers chipshooting speeds in a platform system that succeeds in maintaining commonality of feeders, vision, heads and software with other Universal platform equipment.

"Lightning makes an all-platform line a reality, extending the functionality of Universal systems into high volume manufacturing without sacrificing flexibility and fast product changeover capability", explains Peter Bollinger, the newly appointed Director of GSM Platform Products at Universal Instruments.

The unique rotary motor drive developed for Lightning is based on Universal's patented VRM (variable reluctance linear motor) technology.

The new direct-drive rotary 'Phi' motion VRM was conceived, developed and manufactured by Universal to feature fewer parts, improve reliability and deliver exceptional motion performance.

Dual on-the-head optics allow Lightning to address an unsurpassed range of components from 01005 (one-quarter the area of 0201s) to 30 x 30mm and supports component preorientation as well as on-the-head rejection for small parts to further enhance throughput and productivity.

The plug-in spindle modules are designed to be quickly and easily replaced and each contains a tiny Airkiss venturi vacuum generator to maintain a very short and low maintenance vacuum path.

As a result, Lightning places devices such as CSP, WSP, uBGA, and Melfs at full speed.

"Our goal was to combine best in class performance with a competitive price, as well as significantly reducing the maintenance requirements of typical multi-spindle heads", says Bollinger.

"As a result, the Lightning head you see today allows a dual-beam, dual-head system to compete with four-beam, four-head machines with the added advantages of lowest possible maintenance and high intrinsic availability.

All in all it delivers incredible value".

Lightning can be fitted to Universal Instruments' new Genesis and AdVantis platform products.

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