ACI-ecotec of St Georgen, Germany, producer of automated soldering technologies and automated cells and production lines for the electronics industry, is enjoying new investment.
ACI-ecotec and Co KG of St Georgen, Germany (formerly 'ecotec ') has recently been re-launched with a new strength of German investment.
This new investment is providing a boost of re-development to an existing well understood product range to a substantial customer base including, Siemens, Papst, Sennheiser, Alcatel and many others.
In realising the strengths of the company, the existing skill base has been preserved by keeping 95% of its engineers and technicians, skilled and experienced in automated soldering technologies and automated cells and production lines for the electronics industry.
ACI-ecotec also specialise in bespoke 'micro-assembly' machines (for 1-2mm parts or less) and general assembly machines, offering a custom solution to a standard but modular and flexible cell for use as an isolated cell, or as a production line unit that can be configured to the application, or added to existing production lines.
ACI-ecotec have named this system, the 'Multiflex' offering modularity and flexibility.
The advantages include shorter delivery times from a standard cell whilst maintaining the bespoke flexibility to configure the cell to the application and the modularity required to add to existing lines.
An evaluation of the application then provides a concept.
Evaluation Process - How does it work? Define the application - provide samples and data.
Evaluate the application - from samples and data.
Offer solution to the customer using a standard Multiflex cell configured to the suit the application.
IF 3 = OK - GOTO 4.
ELSE GOTO 3 with revision.
Agree contract.
Configure the 'Multiflex' to the application.
ACI offer a standard cell which if required will adhere to the SMEMA 1.2 standards (SMEMA - Surface Mount Equipment Manufacturers Association (SMEMA 1.2 - Mechanical Equipment Interface Standards).
The base plate inside the cell is machined to suit either a semi-automatic or fully-automatic loading system and employs an OEM SCARA robot arm providing accurate positioning and repeatability of 0.020mm.
The 4-6 axis robotic arm is able to deal with all automated applications that the 'Multiflex' is offering to provide the following.
* Selective soldering.
* Selective cleaning (using a revolutionary two part carbon dioxide snow jet cleaning system, see CO2 Cleaning below).
* Dispensing of adhesives or other fluids that require a repeatable dosage.
* Mini-wave soldering.
* Bending.
* Assembly.
* Micro-assembly.
* Optical inspection.
You can configure an entire automated production line using Multiflex cells configured to each production step therefore ensuring integration and line support from a single provider, whilst maintaining the option of support direct from a number of agents and OEM suppliers.
Or the unit can be configured as a semi-automatic tool, with two manual I/O ports for maximum throughput.
The Multiflex can be the first building block in a new production line that can be added to later, or added to an existing production line.
* The essence of continued support - ACI-ecotec do not claim to be the lowest cost option that you will find, but they do aim to remain competitive and claim highly dependable continued support from experienced designers, engineers and technicians.
The existing customer base believes this to be the most important cost of all.
* Entrance into the UK - recently Gateway Design, a robotics and automation consultancy and design company based in Devon have signed up to an exclusive UK agency for ACI-ecotec.
Michael Gadd CEng of Gateway Design said: "We are always looking for new projects, this keeps engineering alive.
I am really looking forward to the future bringing ACI-ecotec and Co KG to the UK.
I have spent much time working with German engineers which in my opinion have some of the best in the world.
Just look around the next time you are driving.
I am looking forward with ACI-ecotec to new challenges, so if you have something that has not been done before, or perhaps you just need to chat about an idea, then I would like to talk to you.".
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/gaw/gaw100.html
Friday, April 24, 2009
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Electronics Workbench design automation joins NI
National Instruments today announced the acquisition of Toronto-based Electronics Workbench, a leading supplier of electronics design automation software
National Instruments today announced the acquisition of Toronto, Canada-based Electronics Workbench, a leading supplier of electronics design automation software.
The Electronics Workbench flagship product, Multisim circuit simulation software, is widely used for electronic circuit design, board layout and electrical engineering training programs by companies and academic institutions including Sony, Boeing, MIT and DeVry University.
The acquisition strengthens the integration between functional test and design tools and will advance graphical system design technology.
"Our customers are not satisfied with the integration of design, simulation and test tools in the industry today," said Ray Almgren, NI Vice President of Product Marketing and Academic Relations.
"A graphical system design platform that integrates these disparate tools will increase productivity and make testing throughout the design process more seamless.
Our acquisition of Electronics Workbench is a major step forward in making this vision a reality and satisfying the needs of the design engineering community in industry and academia." For several years, Electronics Workbench and National Instruments have collaborated to integrate Multisim with the NI LabVIEW graphical development environment through downloadable software and technical resources that have helped thousands of engineers quickly design, simulate and validate electronic circuits.
The Electronics Workbench acquisition adds graphical design and simulation software to the National Instruments platform of graphical development tools.
"We migrated to Multisim last year because it is a superior tool for teaching electronic circuits and because students can use it to easily integrate their simulations into LabVIEW," said Dr Archie Holmes, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin, one of the leading institutions for engineering education in the U.S.
"The complex design of current and future systems demands a higher level of integration among design, simulation and test tools.
This acquisition provides a closer link among these tools, which helps us better prepare our students to serve the growing demands of the market." NI will retain all Electronics Workbench employees and continue to operate the company as a separate entity in Toronto, Canada.
National Instruments and Electronics Workbench development teams will work to further integrate the products and knowledge of the two companies.
As a wholly owned subsidiary of NI, Electronics Workbench plans to continue to develop and offer its complete line of design automation software and directly support educational initiatives with uninterrupted support to participating schools.
http://www.processingtalk.com/news/nti/nti110.html
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
German electronics automation builder revived
ACI-ecotec of St Georgen, Germany, producer of automated soldering technologies and automated cells and production lines for the electronics industry, is enjoying new investment.
ACI-ecotec and Co KG of St Georgen, Germany (formerly 'ecotec ') has recently been re-launched with a new strength of German investment.
This new investment is providing a boost of re-development to an existing well understood product range to a substantial customer base including, Siemens, Papst, Sennheiser, Alcatel and many others.
In realising the strengths of the company, the existing skill base has been preserved by keeping 95% of its engineers and technicians, skilled and experienced in automated soldering technologies and automated cells and production lines for the electronics industry.
ACI-ecotec also specialise in bespoke 'micro-assembly' machines (for 1-2mm parts or less) and general assembly machines, offering a custom solution to a standard but modular and flexible cell for use as an isolated cell, or as a production line unit that can be configured to the application, or added to existing production lines.
ACI-ecotec have named this system, the 'Multiflex' offering modularity and flexibility.
The advantages include shorter delivery times from a standard cell whilst maintaining the bespoke flexibility to configure the cell to the application and the modularity required to add to existing lines.
An evaluation of the application then provides a concept.
Evaluation Process - How does it work? Define the application - provide samples and data.
Evaluate the application - from samples and data.
Offer solution to the customer using a standard Multiflex cell configured to the suit the application.
IF 3 = OK - GOTO 4.
ELSE GOTO 3 with revision.
Agree contract.
Configure the 'Multiflex' to the application.
ACI offer a standard cell which if required will adhere to the SMEMA 1.2 standards (SMEMA - Surface Mount Equipment Manufacturers Association (SMEMA 1.2 - Mechanical Equipment Interface Standards).
The base plate inside the cell is machined to suit either a semi-automatic or fully-automatic loading system and employs an OEM SCARA robot arm providing accurate positioning and repeatability of 0.020mm.
The 4-6 axis robotic arm is able to deal with all automated applications that the 'Multiflex' is offering to provide the following.
* Selective soldering.
* Selective cleaning (using a revolutionary two part carbon dioxide snow jet cleaning system, see CO2 Cleaning below).
* Dispensing of adhesives or other fluids that require a repeatable dosage.
* Mini-wave soldering.
* Bending.
* Assembly.
* Micro-assembly.
* Optical inspection.
You can configure an entire automated production line using Multiflex cells configured to each production step therefore ensuring integration and line support from a single provider, whilst maintaining the option of support direct from a number of agents and OEM suppliers.
Or the unit can be configured as a semi-automatic tool, with two manual I/O ports for maximum throughput.
The Multiflex can be the first building block in a new production line that can be added to later, or added to an existing production line.
* The essence of continued support - ACI-ecotec do not claim to be the lowest cost option that you will find, but they do aim to remain competitive and claim highly dependable continued support from experienced designers, engineers and technicians.
The existing customer base believes this to be the most important cost of all.
* Entrance into the UK - recently Gateway Design, a robotics and automation consultancy and design company based in Devon have signed up to an exclusive UK agency for ACI-ecotec.
Michael Gadd CEng of Gateway Design said: "We are always looking for new projects, this keeps engineering alive.
I am really looking forward to the future bringing ACI-ecotec and Co KG to the UK.
I have spent much time working with German engineers which in my opinion have some of the best in the world.
Just look around the next time you are driving.
I am looking forward with ACI-ecotec to new challenges, so if you have something that has not been done before, or perhaps you just need to chat about an idea, then I would like to talk to you.".
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/gaw/gaw100.html
ACI-ecotec and Co KG of St Georgen, Germany (formerly 'ecotec ') has recently been re-launched with a new strength of German investment.
This new investment is providing a boost of re-development to an existing well understood product range to a substantial customer base including, Siemens, Papst, Sennheiser, Alcatel and many others.
In realising the strengths of the company, the existing skill base has been preserved by keeping 95% of its engineers and technicians, skilled and experienced in automated soldering technologies and automated cells and production lines for the electronics industry.
ACI-ecotec also specialise in bespoke 'micro-assembly' machines (for 1-2mm parts or less) and general assembly machines, offering a custom solution to a standard but modular and flexible cell for use as an isolated cell, or as a production line unit that can be configured to the application, or added to existing production lines.
ACI-ecotec have named this system, the 'Multiflex' offering modularity and flexibility.
The advantages include shorter delivery times from a standard cell whilst maintaining the bespoke flexibility to configure the cell to the application and the modularity required to add to existing lines.
An evaluation of the application then provides a concept.
Evaluation Process - How does it work? Define the application - provide samples and data.
Evaluate the application - from samples and data.
Offer solution to the customer using a standard Multiflex cell configured to the suit the application.
IF 3 = OK - GOTO 4.
ELSE GOTO 3 with revision.
Agree contract.
Configure the 'Multiflex' to the application.
ACI offer a standard cell which if required will adhere to the SMEMA 1.2 standards (SMEMA - Surface Mount Equipment Manufacturers Association (SMEMA 1.2 - Mechanical Equipment Interface Standards).
The base plate inside the cell is machined to suit either a semi-automatic or fully-automatic loading system and employs an OEM SCARA robot arm providing accurate positioning and repeatability of 0.020mm.
The 4-6 axis robotic arm is able to deal with all automated applications that the 'Multiflex' is offering to provide the following.
* Selective soldering.
* Selective cleaning (using a revolutionary two part carbon dioxide snow jet cleaning system, see CO2 Cleaning below).
* Dispensing of adhesives or other fluids that require a repeatable dosage.
* Mini-wave soldering.
* Bending.
* Assembly.
* Micro-assembly.
* Optical inspection.
You can configure an entire automated production line using Multiflex cells configured to each production step therefore ensuring integration and line support from a single provider, whilst maintaining the option of support direct from a number of agents and OEM suppliers.
Or the unit can be configured as a semi-automatic tool, with two manual I/O ports for maximum throughput.
The Multiflex can be the first building block in a new production line that can be added to later, or added to an existing production line.
* The essence of continued support - ACI-ecotec do not claim to be the lowest cost option that you will find, but they do aim to remain competitive and claim highly dependable continued support from experienced designers, engineers and technicians.
The existing customer base believes this to be the most important cost of all.
* Entrance into the UK - recently Gateway Design, a robotics and automation consultancy and design company based in Devon have signed up to an exclusive UK agency for ACI-ecotec.
Michael Gadd CEng of Gateway Design said: "We are always looking for new projects, this keeps engineering alive.
I am really looking forward to the future bringing ACI-ecotec and Co KG to the UK.
I have spent much time working with German engineers which in my opinion have some of the best in the world.
Just look around the next time you are driving.
I am looking forward with ACI-ecotec to new challenges, so if you have something that has not been done before, or perhaps you just need to chat about an idea, then I would like to talk to you.".
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/gaw/gaw100.html
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Electronics automation developments to be shown
Automation company will show equipment for small and medium volume manufacturers, from pick and place, through reflow and conveyoring to stencil printing and optical inspection at Nepcon.
Contax, the production automation specialist, will be exhibiting at the UK's Nepcon on May 9-11, at the NEC, Birmingham.
On its stand, number D20, Contax will be demonstrating 14 systems, six of which will be on show for the first time in the UK.
All of the equipment displayed is ideally suited to small and medium volume manufacturers, and offers excellent flexibility and price/performance.
The systems span the full range of production processes from pick and place, through reflow and conveyoring to stencil printing and optical inspection.
Whilst automation and wire preparation needs are also addressed with semi-automatic workstations and automatic wire crimping machines.
Furthermore, Contax will be announcing Q-UpNavi, new management analysis and SPC (Statistical Process Control) software from Omron, designed for use with its range of VT-RNS automatic optical inspection (AOI) systems.
Essemtec - Contax will be presenting three systems from Swiss manufacturer, Essemtec, covering pick and place, reflow and stencil printing.
These are: * Essemtec FLX2020.
On display for the first time in the UK, the FLX2020 is one in a series of FLX2000 SMT pick and place machines.
All are extremely flexible, being both modular and upgradeable, and available with a wide selection of feeders.
Other attributes include high production speeds and zero downtime during changeover.
* Essemtec RO400FC.
One of Essemtec's best selling systems, RO400FC is ideally suited to lead-free solders for small to mid-size volume productions.
It is a full convection reflow oven that heats the PCBs uniformly using vertical laminar flow convection technology, so providing efficient heat transfer with the lowest delta T values.
* Essemtec SP200 printer.
A flexible fine-pitch stencil printer with vision for automatic stencil alignment.
The SP200 is easy to program and operate, with a quick changeover and print size up to 360 x 400mm.
Omron - Omron's two AOI systems will be on Contax's stand, whilst the new Q-UpNavi software will be launched by Contax at the Show and available to view.
* Omron VT-RNS - n intelligent, high quality in-line AOI system, the VT-RNS is ideally suited for lead-free inspection.
Using its colour highlight system, LEDs emit coloured light and information is extracted through chromaticity.
This ensures that inspections are not affected by fluctuations in the brightness of the surface of the solder, as can happen with lead-free paste.
The system can be placed at varying points on the line - post-printing, post-placement and post-reflow - to prevent defects at any specific stage of production.
* Omron VT-RNS-ptH - n show for the first time, the VT-RNS-ptH is the first benchtop system available to offer true analysis rather than pattern recognition as the basis for its inspection.
A sophisticated system that uses the same analysis technology as the larger VT-RNS, but is available in a compact footprint, so making it ideally suited to a production environment where space is limited.
Other new products will include: phoenix x-ray microme x X-ray inspection system for PCB assemblies; ATF 23-33 wave soldering machine for leaded and lead-free solder; and Pillarhouse Orissa, a low cost, in-line or stand-alone system that can handle both small and large batch soldering.
The remaining systems on Contax's stand are all proven best-sellers.
These include: Speedline MPM AccuFlex stencil printer; Contact C5 pick and place; Shuttleworth conveyoring system; Sigma semi-automatic workstations and Komax Kappa range of automatic stripping machines.
"We are very happy to be exhibiting at Nepcon at its new venue in the NEC," said Mike Rapson, managing director at Contax.
"This new, larger site suits our needs very well and we are able to bring more equipment to the stand, and offer visitors even more choice.
We select only the best systems worldwide, and the equipment on our stand reflects this.
We will be showing a range of world-class products from leading suppliers such as Essemtec, Omron, phoenix x|ray and Speedline - some of these are new to the market - and others tried and tested solutions.
Small and medium sized manufacturers have very specific production needs.
They need equipment that is flexible and reliable, and offers high performance at a realistic cost.
We will be bringing a small selection of our recommended systems to Nepcon, so providing visitors with a sample of the most advanced systems available today," he said.
* About Contax - Contax is one of the UK and Ireland's most comprehensive suppliers of automation equipment.
Products range from PCB assembly, automatic optical and X-ray inspection, reflow solder, screen printing, precision liquid dispensing, cable preparation, robotic soldering and robotic assembly as well as cleaning systems.
All of this is backed up by Contax's unique support programme called 'hands-on' and an extensive second user department to fully support their installed base.
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/cox/cox113.html
Contax, the production automation specialist, will be exhibiting at the UK's Nepcon on May 9-11, at the NEC, Birmingham.
On its stand, number D20, Contax will be demonstrating 14 systems, six of which will be on show for the first time in the UK.
All of the equipment displayed is ideally suited to small and medium volume manufacturers, and offers excellent flexibility and price/performance.
The systems span the full range of production processes from pick and place, through reflow and conveyoring to stencil printing and optical inspection.
Whilst automation and wire preparation needs are also addressed with semi-automatic workstations and automatic wire crimping machines.
Furthermore, Contax will be announcing Q-UpNavi, new management analysis and SPC (Statistical Process Control) software from Omron, designed for use with its range of VT-RNS automatic optical inspection (AOI) systems.
Essemtec - Contax will be presenting three systems from Swiss manufacturer, Essemtec, covering pick and place, reflow and stencil printing.
These are: * Essemtec FLX2020.
On display for the first time in the UK, the FLX2020 is one in a series of FLX2000 SMT pick and place machines.
All are extremely flexible, being both modular and upgradeable, and available with a wide selection of feeders.
Other attributes include high production speeds and zero downtime during changeover.
* Essemtec RO400FC.
One of Essemtec's best selling systems, RO400FC is ideally suited to lead-free solders for small to mid-size volume productions.
It is a full convection reflow oven that heats the PCBs uniformly using vertical laminar flow convection technology, so providing efficient heat transfer with the lowest delta T values.
* Essemtec SP200 printer.
A flexible fine-pitch stencil printer with vision for automatic stencil alignment.
The SP200 is easy to program and operate, with a quick changeover and print size up to 360 x 400mm.
Omron - Omron's two AOI systems will be on Contax's stand, whilst the new Q-UpNavi software will be launched by Contax at the Show and available to view.
* Omron VT-RNS - n intelligent, high quality in-line AOI system, the VT-RNS is ideally suited for lead-free inspection.
Using its colour highlight system, LEDs emit coloured light and information is extracted through chromaticity.
This ensures that inspections are not affected by fluctuations in the brightness of the surface of the solder, as can happen with lead-free paste.
The system can be placed at varying points on the line - post-printing, post-placement and post-reflow - to prevent defects at any specific stage of production.
* Omron VT-RNS-ptH - n show for the first time, the VT-RNS-ptH is the first benchtop system available to offer true analysis rather than pattern recognition as the basis for its inspection.
A sophisticated system that uses the same analysis technology as the larger VT-RNS, but is available in a compact footprint, so making it ideally suited to a production environment where space is limited.
Other new products will include: phoenix x-ray microme x X-ray inspection system for PCB assemblies; ATF 23-33 wave soldering machine for leaded and lead-free solder; and Pillarhouse Orissa, a low cost, in-line or stand-alone system that can handle both small and large batch soldering.
The remaining systems on Contax's stand are all proven best-sellers.
These include: Speedline MPM AccuFlex stencil printer; Contact C5 pick and place; Shuttleworth conveyoring system; Sigma semi-automatic workstations and Komax Kappa range of automatic stripping machines.
"We are very happy to be exhibiting at Nepcon at its new venue in the NEC," said Mike Rapson, managing director at Contax.
"This new, larger site suits our needs very well and we are able to bring more equipment to the stand, and offer visitors even more choice.
We select only the best systems worldwide, and the equipment on our stand reflects this.
We will be showing a range of world-class products from leading suppliers such as Essemtec, Omron, phoenix x|ray and Speedline - some of these are new to the market - and others tried and tested solutions.
Small and medium sized manufacturers have very specific production needs.
They need equipment that is flexible and reliable, and offers high performance at a realistic cost.
We will be bringing a small selection of our recommended systems to Nepcon, so providing visitors with a sample of the most advanced systems available today," he said.
* About Contax - Contax is one of the UK and Ireland's most comprehensive suppliers of automation equipment.
Products range from PCB assembly, automatic optical and X-ray inspection, reflow solder, screen printing, precision liquid dispensing, cable preparation, robotic soldering and robotic assembly as well as cleaning systems.
All of this is backed up by Contax's unique support programme called 'hands-on' and an extensive second user department to fully support their installed base.
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/cox/cox113.html
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