Product category:
Electronics manufacturing: equipment, automation, software
News Release from: Contax | Subject: Contax' Pillarhouse selective soldering system
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 17 July 2007
Selective soldering system changed over
fast
Dissatisfaction with an existing, though only four months old PCB soldering system, led a subcontractor to seek one which could do leaded and lead-free soldering and be changed over quickly.
A leading electronics design and manufacturing company, Jaltek Systems, had been using a selective soldering system for some four months But, as Bryan Newstead, head of New Product Development at Jaltek Systems said, "We were not satisfied with it"
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 29 Jun 2005 at 8.00am (UK)
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"We therefore wanted to get the right equipment in place as quickly as possible".
Newstead explained: "We needed a system that could handle both leaded and lead-free, with fast changeover times".
"It had to be implemented quickly, and require minimal staff training." Jaltek evaluated five alternative systems, including Contax' Pillarhouse system.
Jaltek's engineers were impressed with ithe latter's compact size, practicality and functionality.
The Jade Pillarhouse system is a 'stand alone' platform with a small 'footprint'.
It can handle PCBs or pallets of up to 457mm x 508mm.
The system controls each solder joint individually and varies operations, so giving Jaltek extra flexibility.
The Jade Pillarhouse system also has a small 15kg solder pot - a fraction of the size of the standard 200kg containers.
The solder pot saves time and material costs, and ensures a quick and easy changeover from leaded to lead-free solder.
"The Jade was obviously designed and built by engineers," said Newstead.
"Whereas some other systems are quite complex, the Jade is very minimalistic.
The software is simple, intuitive, and easy to use.
The entire system is just totally practical," he said.
After installation, the Jade was producing within 24h.
"The Jade is superb," enthused Newstead.
"The day after Contax installed it, we were running product on it, and it has been functioning perfectly ever since".
About Contax, Newstead commented: "Contax' support has been excellent.
We couldn't fault it.
We have been so satisfied with the system that we are already planning to add another Jade to our production line".
* 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 after sales operation and an extensive second user department to fully support their installed base.
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