Measurement Option Verifies Components Directly in the Placement Machine

Essemtec AG, a leading manufacturer of surface mount technology production equipment, announces that it has closed the last gap in the placement stage of surface mount devices. The new option, FLX-CVU, verifies the electrical characteristics of components directly in the placement machine, ensuring placement reliability and product quality.

Through immediate component measurement, both set up flaws and wrong placement actions due to labeling and packing errors are avoided. Additionally, too high a divergence in a component reel can be reliably localized and the placement of out-of-spec parts eliminated. All measurement values are stored in a database and allow for traceability down to single parts.

The measurement unit is directly integrated into the placement machine, and the contacts are designed so that components with different outlines and form factors can be tested. As a result, complex adjustments, set up and calibration of test contacts or hooks are unnecessary. The contacting unit is directly linked to a universal instrument that measures resistance, capacitance and inductance with high accuracy and also verifies the electrical component polarity quickly.

The measurement of the electrical component characteristics takes place immediately after picking from the feeder — prior to the placement operation. Components that do not meet the requirements or are out of tolerance will not be used.

Users can select which and how many parts are to be measured, and have the option of checking every single item, a certain selection or just the first one of a new feeder reel. The company’s test plan defines the desired level of assurance.

The measurement unit FLX-CVU is an option to the FXL2011, a highly flexible placement system from Essemtec. It verifies resistors, capacitance, bobbins, coils, diodes and more right from the form factor 0402. The dynamic measurement range extends over a couple of decimal powers, e.g., the resistor range from 0.01 milliohm to up to 90 Megohm.

In industries relevant to safety, for example airspace, aircraft, automotive or medical technology, it is indispensable to know exactly which components with which characteristics are mounted on a PCB used in the equipment. However, even in applications that are not so strictly prone to safety concerns, traceability has also become more important and individual components on a board must match the specs. According to Essemtec, FLX-CVU serves as a tool to eliminate any uncertainties in quality assurance.

www.essemtec.com