Contax Installs New Essemtec Line at Gemini 2000

Citation

(2008), "Contax Installs New Essemtec Line at Gemini 2000", Soldering & Surface Mount Technology, Vol. 20 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/ssmt.2008.21920cab.007

Contax Installs New Essemtec Line at Gemini 2000

Article Type: Industry news From: Soldering & Surface Mount Technology, Volume 20, Issue 3

Contax Ltd, the production automation system specialists, have installed a new PCB assembly line for OEM, Gemini 2000. The equipment installed includes an Essemtec SP002 stencil printer, CSM7100 pick and place machine and RO300 FC reflow oven.

Gemini 2000 is the leading manufacturer of contactless smart card reader/writers that are used in many city councils, schools, libraries and leisure venues throughout the UK. This new production line will be used to manufacture the PCBs used in their products.

Explained Managing Director, Konstantin Chterev, “We had been outsourcing the production of our PCBs, but decided to take this function in-house.”

He continued, “This has proved an excellent move in many respects. Not only has it resulted in cost savings of around 50 percent, but it has also provided us with greater control over the processes. There are now fewer failures, and we can achieve a much faster turnaround of product.”

“For example, for some PCBs, the lead time for a batch of 1,000 would be one month, whereas, manufacturing in-house, it takes just one week. Production is cheaper, more efficient and flexible, and of a higher quality,” he said.

When it came to selecting the equipment, Gemini 2000 looked at a number of options worldwide. However, they were very pleased to find a supplier nearby that offered the best solution in terms of equipment and support.

Said Konstantin, “Contax offered us everything we needed. They advised us on the Essemtec equipment, and it has proved to be precisely right. The SP002 printer is very solid and fool proof. The CSM7100 is robust and easy to maintain, whilst the RO300FC reflow is a good, sound machine with excellent performance. In addition, Contax offered us the local support we needed.”

Summing up, Konstantin added, “We are very satisfied with our decision to move production in-house, and in our choice of systems for the new line.”

“Contax has proved an excellent partner and we are very happy with them. Their advice has been invaluable, and the service offered is very professional and knowledgeable. We would definitely buy from them again if we had any further requirements,” he finished.