Japanese manufacturers of mounting equipment endeavor to expand market demand by introducing new models. Mainly, they set their sights on realizing a fully automated production through the implementation of an intelligent mounting line. To this end, they also improve the features of machines that constitute the mounting line.

Variable-Mix, Variable Volume Production

FUJI Corporation is set to launch AIMEXR, a new product in the AIMEX Series scalable all-in-one placement machine, by the end of FY2023. Specifically, it meets the needs for variable-mix, variable-volume production. 

AIMEXR incorporates the same cutting-edge heads installed on the NXTR next-generation mounter. Specifically, the company positions NXTR as a new platform. Each head can mount an expanded range of component sizes compared to its predecessor. Additionally, they easily support the production of various printed circuit boards. Adopting advanced XY robots, AIMEXR achieves the fastest placement speed in the history of the series. Also, it detects warpage of substrates and conditions of components using advanced functions. Furthermore, it places components by minimizing stress on electronic components and substrates.  

Supports Dual Lane

Meanwhile, Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. released in August the YRP10 new premium printer, which supports dual production. The company proposes 1 STOP SMART SOLUTION for dual lane production. Specifically, it connects dual-lane-compatible YRP10, YRM20DL premium high-efficiency modular mounter, and YRi-V automated optical inspection (AOI) system in one line.

YRP10 has achieved high-speed, high-quality printing and full automation of setup changeovers. The YRM20DL and YRi-V models were introduced on the market earlier. 

Meanwhile, Yamaha’s original Swing Single Squeegee head controls the attack angle, speed, and printing application force with one squeegee. The company adopted its original printing head, stencil vacuum mechanism into the new printer, and optimized printing conditions. Thus, the new premium printer attained the highest level of printing accuracy in the industry. In addition, automation of setup changeovers, such as automatic push-up pins and stencil replacement, greatly reduces labor and human error when changing out products.

Autonomous Factory Platform    

The Process Automation Business Division (PABD), Panasonic Connect Co., Ltd., aims to realize an autonomous factory comprising mounters. To this end, PABD has been bringing to market the NPM G Series edge devices, the platform of the autonomous factory, in stages. 

Mainly, the NPM G Series consists of the NPM-GH modular mounter, NPM-GP/L screen printer, Auto Setting Feeder automatic component supply system, and APC-5M system for mounting line that stabilizes production.  

The NPM-GH modular mounter features a compact and lightweight mounting head. Thus, the mounter has achieved high productivity (max. 41000cph) in a high-accuracy range of ±15μm, and the industry’s first ultrahigh precision specification of ±10μm. Meanwhile, the NPM-GP/L screen printer features top-class solder printing performance with a printing accuracy of ±3.8μm and a cycle time of 12sec.  

Original Takumi Head

Meanwhile, JUKI Corporation released in August the LX-8 general-purpose mounter. LX-8 incorporates two units of the company’s original Takumi Head. Also, it delivers twice the component mounting speed on printed circuit boards compared with the company’s existing mounter. 

Specifically, the Takumi Head automatically changes the recognition sensor height according to the height of components to pick and place components. It supports a wide variety of components ranging from 0.3×0.15mm to 65×65mm, as well as 10×90mm, and 50×75mm, to components with a height of up to 25mm.