Despite the sluggish growth of the Chinese mounter market, the three-day holding of NEPCON Asia 2023 was a resounding success. The event was crowded with industry professionals from the manufacturing field, indicating renewed optimism in the market. Additionally, this raised the expectations of participating Japanese surface mount technology (SMT) equipment manufacturers on the recovery of demand in the coming months. 

Along with NEPCON China held in Shanghai, NEPCON Asia is also a large-scale mounting equipment technology show for electronics manufacturing and related industries. Held at the Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center, NEPCON Asia drew 1,200 companies from about 40 countries and regions. The event ran from October 11 to 13 in Shenzhen, China.

Major Japanese SMT companies, including FUJI Corporation, Panasonic Connect Co., Ltd., Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd., JUKI Corporation, and Japan Unix Co., Ltd., took part in the event through their local sales companies and agencies. They exhibited high-speed mounters and other leading-edge SMT equipment that promote digital manufacturing. 

Next-Generation Smart Factory Solution

FUJI touted the evolving FUJI Smart Factory (FSF) solution. In relation, it showcased the NXTR next-generation mounter, NXTR PM solder paste printer, and AIMEXR scalable all-in-one placement machine. Mainly, NXTR comes in two models. Specifically, the NXTR S model has real-time sensing placement and other functions, while the NXTR A model comes equipped with an automatic feeder exchange system.

Meanwhile, the new product AIMEXR highlights flexibility and scalability features to meet the needs for variable-mix, variable-volume production. Thus, it realizes flexible and stable production from high-mix, low-volume production to large-scale production. 

Ever-Evolving Factory

Panasonic Connect highlighted the NPM G Series, a new mounting system platform that achieves autonomous factory.  The concept of an autonomous factory continues to evolve in response to the needs of the market and changes in supply.

Specifically, NPM-GH, the new modular mounter of the NPM G Series, features high productivity and high-precision placement at the same time. These features have been achieved through the use of lighter placement heads, smaller recognition cameras, and faster shafts. Additionally, the company introduced the NPM-GP/L screen printers under the NPM G Series.  

Meet Dual Production

Yamaha Motor promoted 1 STOP SMART SOLUTION to the Chinese market. The 1 STOP SMART SOLUTION was achieved by taking advantage of the company’s strength as a full-scale manufacturer of mounting equipment lines. Specifically, this lineup of equipment includes surface mounters, printers, dispensers, and inspection equipment.

Furthermore, the company launched the new YRP10 premium printer compatible with dual production. As a result, it was able to propose 1 STOP SMART SOLUTION Dual Lane as a connected line. Specifically, it combines YRP10, YRM20DL modular mounter, and YRi-V automated optical inspection (AOI) system in the YR Series compatible with dual lanes. 

Moreover, JUKI showcased RX-8 and RS-1R high-speed mounters, RS-1S for variable-mix, variable-volume production, and RP-2 solder paste printer. Also, the company exhibited the RV-2-3DH solder paste inspection system, ISM Series automated warehouses (intelligent storage management systems), and JM Series multi-task platform for the post process.

JUKI highlighted the latest SMT line with the LX-8 next-generation general-purpose mounter as SMT Process Optimization Solution. LX-8 features high speed and general versatility at the core.  

Japan Unix showcased the UNIX-DF laser soldering robot equipped with network functions, realizing Internet of Things in manufacturing. The company also introduced a Soldering Manager and other software solutions.