CSM 200 from Tyco Electronics

Tyco Electronics' Global Application Tooling Division (GATD) has showcased CSM 200 Connector Seating Machine at APEX 2006.

CSM 200 is a semiautomatic machine for the application of compliant pin connectors. The environmentally conscious system provides end users with a faster, more reliable and less operator-intensive method for processing this lead-free product.

The heart of the CSM 200 is a BMEP servo electric press that allows for the monitoring and control of force, distance, and speed during the press process. Operators manually load a PCB and connectors onto fixtures and tooling that include sensors to help ensure proper location.

The CSM automatically positions the connectors on the PCB and then an X/Y table with PCB fixture locates the PCB (up to 8 x 11") under the servo press head for processing the connector. The system automatically sequentially presses each connector on the PCB to the required specifications. Each press cycle is monitored and can be stopped if an error occurs, making the system simple to use and implement. Also, each press cycle can be recorded to provide 100 percent real-time feedback with full traceability for quality assurance of every connector applied.

The system specializes in processing right-angle board edge connectors with non-overmolded pins. Typically, this type of connector is difficult to process due to the necessity of the operator to precisely match the pin field to the hole pattern in the PCB. Because the pins are not overmolded, they are free to move, making the mating process difficult at best. The CSM 200 utilizes innovative "comb" tooling that ensures proper location of the pin legs to the hole pattern in the PCB ¾ this feature provides users with significant cost benefits because it allows for faster processing, less scrap and lower applied cost. As an additional benefit, the system also provides 100 percent quality feedback for every connector applied.