New placement machines, a well-considered software update and improved production technology: EMS service provider MTP from Nuremberg is optimizing its SMT line to further increase performance and quality in production as well as its competitiveness as a manufacturing partner.
MTP has commissioned an additional Siplace SX2 placement machine from ASM, updated the line's software and introduced the Siplace SiCluster software for setup optimization. MTP has also procured a complete package of additional feeders and feeder trolleys as well as a loader from the manufacturer Asys. The aim of the investments, totaling around €400,000, is to further increase performance and quality in SMT production as well as competitiveness as an EMS provider.
EMS for industrial electronics in quantities of 100s and 1000s
The Franconian EMS provider works primarily for sister companies within the GMC Instruments Group based in Nuremberg, Swabia and the UK. These customers include Gossen Metrawatt, Gossen Foto- und Lichtmesstechnik, Kurth Electronic, GMC-I Service and GMC-I PROSys. Through investments, service-oriented processes and EMS-experienced personnel, MTP is increasingly appealing to customers outside the group of companies. "The current SMT line upgrade increases placement performance and production quality," explains Dr. Markus Diehl, who joined MTP a year ago as Managing Director from EMS provider Vierling. "MTP has the potential to play an important role in the EMS market segment for high-quality industrial electronics in quantities of 100 and 1000." Further investments are being planned for 2022 and 2023.
First orders up to 50% faster
MTP has two SMT lines. Previously, the converted line consisted of an Ersa printer, two Siplace SX1 placement machines and a Rehm reflow oven. MTP has expanded the line to include a Siplace SX2 machine with Siplace MultiStar and Siplace TwinStar placement heads, a complete set of additional feeders and feeder carts and a new Asys loader. "We split up the line in front of the oven and pulled it apart, integrated the SX2 as a new end-of-line machine and converted the WPC (Waffle Pack Changer) from the second SX1 to the SX2," explains Diehl. The TwinStar placement head and the SiCluster software are particularly important to MTP. The Twinhead can place components up to 55 mm high, while the SiCluster software enables family setups with fixed placement tables. "Even with the first test batches, we were up to 50% faster straight away," says Diehl.
Smooth line conversion thanks to support from ASM
During the line conversion at the beginning of April, the employees from MTP and the technicians from ASM were able to concentrate fully on integrating the Siplace SX2 and converting the WPC. MTP and ASM had already prepared the update of the line software and the installation of the SiCluster software on separate computers in January. MTP had also already integrated the new Asys loader in January. "We shut down the line on Friday in the early shift and the first assemblies were already running again on Tuesday for the late shift," reports Andreas Vetter, SMT team leader at MTP. "This worked thanks to proper planning and, above all, the excellent support from ASM." The ASM technicians first integrated the SX2 and converted the WPC. They were then available for a few days to resolve teething problems and train the SMT team on the new machine.
