Assembleon provides flexibility and performance with the a-series and installed base solutions

With the next generation A-Series Pick & Place solutions and Installed Base Solutions value-added services, Assembleon has strengthened its portfolio by increasing production flexibility and optimizing line and machine performance.

In addition to showcasing the recently introduced modular A-Series Pick & Place solutions, Assembleon is presenting its Installed Base Solutions (IBS) performance-enhancing products and services at APEX (Los Angeles, 20 - 22 February 2007) on booth no. 2243. These two activities demonstrate how Assembl�on fulfils its 'Flexibility assured, performance guaranteed' promise with hardware, software and service-based solutions.

Next generation A-Series
Two A-Series machines are on the stand - the AX-201 and AX-501 - both share a common user interface and a range of feeders, trolleys and placement heads. They cover the full spectrum of functionalities required for today's varied manufacturing needs, seamlessly integrating fine-pitch and odd-form capabilities with placement of large ICs down to the smallest chip components. The A-Series extends production flexibility in all manufacturing environments, from small to large batch and low to high product mix. It speeds up time-to-volume, while also delivering single-digit defects per million (dpm), giving high first pass yields and best-in-class quality.

Building on the output scalability and fast changeovers of the original A-Series, these next generation machines have interchangeable robot heads that make it easy to scale production output in 7500 component-per-hour steps, without rebuilding, recalibrating or affecting either the machine, its footprint or line setup.

Product changeover is made even more easy and flexible through off-line feeder setup, and off-line placement program creation and optimization. Reconfiguration takes place in just minutes. The next generation A-Series also includes a tray-handling capability on the fastest modules as well as the capability to combine heads for fine-pitch and odd-form placement with traditional chip-shooting robots.

Installed Base Solutions
Via its global Installed Base Solutions teams, Assembl�on helps customers optimize line output and yield, minimize process changeover times, improve the production line's ramp-up, and continually manage the Assembleon machines' operational costs. To accomplish this, IBS embodies a wide range of value-added performance, knowledge and technical services for existing production lines and new machines. It is part of the company's integrated approach to SMT assembly, developed in response to the challenges of today's manufacturing environment in which production requirements change continuously. IBS ensures a customer's machine park is kept operating competitively.

Four of the Performance services are highlighted on Assembleon's APEX stand. They are the Speedpack output upgrade for A-Series machines, the Performance Monitor tool for visualizing production data in real-time, the Performance Improvement Line Assessment service to ensure a line reaches its full potential, and the ITF Feeder Upgrade kit that offers improved feeder performance.