ACW Technology selects phoenix / X-ray from Contax

Citation

(2008), "ACW Technology selects phoenix / X-ray from Contax", Microelectronics International, Vol. 25 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/mi.2008.21825cab.011

ACW Technology selects phoenix / X-ray from Contax

Article Type: Industry news From: Microelectronics International, Volume 25, Issue 3

Production automation system specialist, Contax Ltd, has recently supplied a phoenix / X-ray microme / x system and new x / act software to major contract electronics manufacturer, ACW Technology Ltd This new system enhances their existing X-ray inspection capability, and will provide ACW with greater inspection accuracy so improving process control and fault diagnosis.

ACW reviewed the market and shortlisted three market leading X-ray systems, including the phoenix microme / x.

“We had a very clear idea of our criteria,” Dave Norris, Process Engineer commented. “We were looking for excellent image quality, high-equipment specification, easy to use operator interface, intuitive software features, good build quality and guaranteed support,” he explained.

“The right choice was critical, so as well as evaluating the microme / x, we went to Germany to visit the phoenix factory. Everything about phoenix impressed us,” he said. “The build quality is superb, and the Company is very impressive – very professional,” he added.

Support was another criterion on Dave Norris’s list. He continued, “As part of our review, we also looked at the suppliers, and the number of engineers available in our area. Contax passed this test with flying colours. They have a good, sound, reputation and excellent support infrastructure, with helpful and knowledgeable staff,” he said.

Commenting on the current status of the installation, Dave concluded, “We are still in the process of learning the software – but it does everything we want and more. Because of the image quality and high magnification, we are now able to detect even very subtle faults that may not have previously been flagged. This visual feedback will enable us to set up, control and monitor our processes more accurately, and provide an invaluable tool for our diagnostics engineers,” he finished.

x / act software

Launched at Productronica, November 2007, the new x / act software allows fast, CAD based fully automated inspection of solder joints at the highest magnifications. It comes with a specially designed, intuitive inspection program, which requires only a simple, one-time configuration. Using a scanner, the component’s CAD-data are read into the X-ray system and laid over the image (live CAD-overlay). This allows the user to have the complete sample data available at all times, even with rotating and tilting the sample and during ovhm.

The software platform features a CAD view, which is constantly displayed in small view on the screen, to facilitate navigation of the sample.

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.