Product category: PCB Assembly Equipment and Tools
News Release from: Contax | Subject: Essemtec CLM9000
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial Team on 14 January 2004
Two wins for automatic placement system
Both Data Track Technology and ECM have selected the automatic Essemtec CLM9000 style of placement system with vision capabilities
Data Track Technology, a world leader in the provision of telecomms management systems and ECM, a one-stop provider of gaming solutions have both selected the automatic Essemtec CLM9000 style of placement system with vision capabilities from Contax, the UK's leading independent supplier of automated production machines.
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 14 January 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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Both companies required a flexible and cost-effective placement system that could handle a large variety of components.
They also looked to Contax to advise them on the most appropriate equipment to meet their needs.
ECM required a placement system that could be quickly and easily reconfigured to suit its varied product range.
It also wanted its choice to be as 'future-proof' as possible.
According to Richard Leah, General Manager at ECM: 'We have a TWS Quadra unit that we will continue to use for years to come, but technology moves on and we needed a new machine that is capable of handling even smaller and more sophisticated components'.
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'This will ensure that we can incorporate new advances into our products'.
Contax recommended the Essemtec CLM9000V Plus, a flexible automatic placement system that can support up to 190 x 8mm tape feeder positions - far more than other products in its price range.
Leah continues: 'Although the CLM9000V has only just been commissioned, the initial results are very encouraging'.
'We're already building prototypes that would have been unthinkable with our old system'.
'For example, the new generation of processors often have many legs that are placed only 0.3mm apart'.
'These devices have massive potential and using the CLM9000V means that we will be able to incorporate them into our products, to the benefit of our customers'.
He concludes: 'The order was placed as much on Contax's merit as that of the machine'.
'ECM always strives to give its customers the best possible service, and Contax have the same philosophy'.
'We have always found them to be knowledgeable, helpful, friendly and efficient'.
Data Track was looking to equip a new manufacturing facility.
Peter Staddon, Managing Director, explains: 'We used to subcontract part of our manufacturing, but we decided to take this in-house as we needed more flexibility and wanted to reduce our lead times'.
'We spent some time considering the options available to us and looked at several different manufacturers before reaching a final decision'.
He continues: 'Over the years, we had built up a relationship with Bob Thornton at Contax and trusted his judgement'.
'He recommended the Essemtec CLM9000 as the most suitable system for us'.
'The number of feeders was particularly important to us', explains Staddon.
'Even taking into account the vision camera, we still a lot of feeder positions available'.
'Vision was another important feature for us'.
'A significant number of our components have leads with a fine pitch'.
'We therefore use the camera to check the quality of the device and its correct alignment prior to placement on the board, so the vision system needs to cope with these very fine pitches'.
'The CLM9000 was one of the few machines that had the capacity to handle the number of components and was within our budget', says Staddon.
As Data Track had selected the placement system from Contax, it also decided to purchase the Essemtec SP100 screen printer and Essemtec R0400FC reflow oven from the company as well.
Staddon adds: 'It made sense buying the whole system from one supplier'.
'We have one service contract and a team of people to contact if we have any problems'.
'In fact, Contax's service and support has been a major plus'.
'We had some initial teething problems and Contax worked very hard to resolve these'.
'All their people were very flexible and helpful'.
'They employ a high calibre of support staff and we were certainly impressed with the level of service received'.
'We have just ordered a second CLM9000 machine and will definitely use Contax again in future.
We have no hesitation in recommending them', Staddon concluds.
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