Essemtec launch new semi-automatic printer

Citation

(2009), "Essemtec launch new semi-automatic printer", Assembly Automation, Vol. 29 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/aa.2009.03329cad.002

Essemtec launch new semi-automatic printer

Article Type: New products From: Assembly Automation, Volume 29, Issue 3

Production automation system specialist, Contax Limited, introduces the newest printer from Essemtec. The highly adaptable SP150 screen/stencil printer offers the advantages of a larger machine, including controlled printing process, digital vision and integrated stencil cleaning whilst saving production floor space. Being ergonomically designed with a front loading printed circuit board (PCB) drawer, the SP150 provides high quality reproducible accurate print of up to ±20 μm for small- to medium-sized enterprises.

With three versions of the SP150, Essemtec has developed an adaptable printer, which offers the user a choice of features. The system is available with: manual loading, manual loading with vision alignment and semi-automatic with vision alignment. The semi-automatic version uses two digital cameras that recognise when the substrate is misaligned and will stop the print cycle, so ensuring no misprint. Once the alignment is corrected the print cycle can be released.

The SP150 also guarantees that the stencil remains clean and so maintains consistent results. An integrated underside cleaning system has been incorporated into the printer and fits directly on the front drawer, so that each time the drawer is pulled out for PCB loading, the stencil is automatically cleaned.

Figure 2

“The vision alignment system in the SP150 provides a high level of accuracy that is unique for a machine of this size;” commented Bob Thornton, Director for the PCB Division at Contax Limited. “The vision alignment and efficient stencil cleaning system ensures consistent results every time and offers excellent value for money,” he added (Figure 2).