Expanding its lineup of taping machines, Tokyo Weld Co., Ltd. has commercialized the MMVH-003 fifth-generation (5G)-compatible radio frequency (RF) measurement multi module vision handler. The company showcased the new model at NEPCON Japan 2022. 

Tokyo Weld deploys its business globally, mainly in China and Southeast Asia as well as Japan. The company manufactures terminal coating machines, testing and sorting machines, and taping machines for discrete semiconductors. It also develops passive electronic components, such as inductors, capacitors and resistors.

Taping Machines

Taping machines inspect electrical characteristics and other properties of electronic components. They insert these components into reel tapes, from which they are supplied to mounters in the surface mounting process. They embed electronic components into tapes and wind them on reels, enabling electronic components to be stably supplied to mounters.

Tokyo Weld calls taping machines as measuring and taping machines as they tape electronic components after judging their quality. This is done by inspecting electrical characteristics and through visual inspection. The company’s lineup includes TWA-6606F and TWA-6604D with processing capacity of 5,000pcs/min, and TWA-6615 suitable for inductors.

Automated Optical Inspection

Tokyo Weld also offers the TWA-4101 and TWA-4102 automated optical inspection (AOI) systems. They detect cracks, chipping and dirt of electronic components using image processing technology, and sort between quality and defective components. The AOI machines inspect six sides—front and rear, top and bottom, and right and left—of capacitors, inductors and resistor chips to detect and sort out defective components. They achieve high-speed and stable transfer using coulomb force. These models are equipped with an originally developed image inspection engine, and feature industry-leading processing capacity of 12,000pcs/min.

Tokyo Weld has also commercialized an AOI model with artificial intelligence (AI) function. This machine has simplified the creation of inspection algorithm, which requires special knowledge and a long learning period. It has also reduced excessive detection of quality products as defectives, called overkill ratio in the industry. The feature on reduction of overkill ratio has received high evaluation from customers.

Exhibits at NEPCON Japan

At NEPCON Japan, Tokyo Weld showcased the TWA-6604D taping machine, which supports a wide range of chip components.  The company has a track record of shipping many units of this model.

The taping machine was exhibited as a set with the TWA-6310A auto reel changer, which is connected to the taping machine to automatically wind tapes and exchange reels. The company pitched this set up as solution to labor-saving issue. The optional machine automatically winds tapes and exchanges reels and is combined with the taping machine with processing capacity of 5,000pcs/min. 

Tokyo Weld has also developed and begun offering the MMTH multi-module test handler (modular type) and the MMVH multi-module vision handler (suction conveyance type). These machines evaluate the performance of semiconductor devices, like whether their electrical and optical functions are normal or not. They also determine the devices’ conformance to specifications. The company has developed these machines leveraging the transfer technology it has nurtured over the years.

At NEPCON Japan, the company showcased the MMVH-003 5G-compatible RF measurement taping machine. It supports high-frequency measurement and is capable of visual inspection of components using millimeter waves (27.5 to 29.5GHz).

Tokyo Weld accelerates the development of products that meet the needs of the electronic components market. These include electronic components that are becoming increasingly finer and components for automotive application that require high quality and reliability.