Europlacer iineo II SMT Pick-and-Place Machine Helps EMS Company Triple PCB Production Capacity to Meet Growing Customer Demand

For almost a decade, Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) company Schippers & Crew  has used Europlacer SMT technology in producing circuit boards for a variety of fields such as test and measurement, medical instruments, industrial controls, communications and aerospace.

In 2003, the Washington-based company added two high-speed Europlacer Vitesse pick and place machines to its SMT production line. While the machines served them well over the years, orders and volume grew, prompting Schippers & Crew to update existing technology in 2010 with a new SMT platform that would provide them with increased capacity to maintain top-quality production.

After carefully researching and conducting comparative studies on the capabilities and cost of other pick-and-place equipment on the market, Schippers & Crew decided to trade in one of its Europlacer machines for a new Europlacer iineo II SMT pick-and-place machine. While the company liked the idea of reusing existing feeders from another in-house Europlacer machine, the decision to buy the iineo II was based on its superior technology in providing greater production capacity, operational flexibility and control in meeting increased demand and future customer requirements. The company also valued the superior customer service provided by Europlacer over the years. Since installed in October 2010, the EMS company tripled production capacity and increased quality control for greater yield per lot.

“The iineo II is a better built machine that enables us to produce different types of PCBs at great speed,” remarks Bert Schippers, Schippers & Crew CEO. “Previously, production would be completed on the edge of deadlines. Now, with the iineo II, we are never rushed to get jobs completed on time.”

Schippers & Crew combines the iineo II with other SMT lines to assemble high volume kits consisting of the smallest pitch components in the industry. The ultra-high placement rate of the iineo II ensures on-time deliveries for its small to medium volume, high mix customer base.

“As some of our customers prefer to place blanket orders with multiple deliveries, we are now better able to produce in large runs, and deliver per customer schedules,” notes Amer Hadzikadunic, Schippers & Crew Chief Operations Officer.  “Using the iineo II, we can produce in just 1 to ½ days what previously took us 4 to 5 days.”

Featuring the largest industry board size, intelligent feeders and digital inspection cameras, the highly flexible, dual gantry iineo II handles a variety of PCBs – wide, long and even oversized - up to 24”W x 63”L with a placement rate up to 30,000 cph. Feeders are fully programmable with component and inventory data for fast machine recognition that quickens set up and changeover. Operating software with features such as electrical verification and low feeder warning lights ensure that new components are loaded correctly and immediately ready for processing. The iineo II also can perform electrical and dimensional verification in process, rejecting improper components while the board continues to be built.

“In addition to speed, placement accuracy has improved, resulting in greater yield,” notes Amer. “We also like having the capability to handle boards of different sizes and new technologies like chip on chip as new customers approach us with these requirements.”

Since installed over a year ago, operations have run smoothly, with any slight issues quickly resolved with Europlacer through a remote hookup to their network. Schippers & Crew “loves” the capacity created by the iineo II so much, the company is even considering adding another one in the near future.

“In addition to meeting our current production requirements, the iineo II serves as a great marketing tool to show customers that we have a high-volume capability,” explains Amer. “Europlacer machines also hold their value for many years if we ever decide to upgrade technology. But at this point, we may just add a new iineo II as we still like our older Vitesse machines.”

Bert Schippers also attributes the increased profitability of the company to the iineo II. “The quality of equipment certainly helped with our profitability and strategically positions us to market high volume capabilities to new customers.”

http://www.schippers.com/