American electronics manufacturing services (EMS) provider Pro-Active Engineering, Inc. has integrated a high-speed line from ASM Assembly Systems (ASM). This includes a DEK NeoHorizon screen printer and three SIPLACE TX placement platforms.

Recently, the company, which has 45,000sq.ft. facility in Wisconsin, has experienced major growth trajectory. Particularly, Pro-Active Engineering cites personalized service and unmatched quality as keys to its success.

Furthermore, it notes investing in a fast, scalable, technology forward SMT line is imperative in upholding these commitments. Especially, the company is now taking higher-volume and more complex PCB assembly projects.

Accelerates Growth

Paul Schwanbeck, Pro-Active Engineering Vice-President shared the company’s staff has nearly doubled in recent year. Consequently, the growth led the business to explore a new placement equipment partner to support higher production volumes.

“We have a long and successful history with DEK printers, so (we) decided to evaluate ASM, alongside other vendors, for a placement solution. The decision to switch to a new supplier was a big leap – different programming, feeders, training, and a completely different mindset. Most importantly, ASM just felt like the right move and that has proven to be the case,” Schwanbeck said.

Founded over 25 years ago, Pro-Active Engineering, helps its customers manage the entire PCB assembly lifecycle. In other words, from challenging design engineering and DFM rules through to mass production.

An operation that began as a small-volume and quick-turn business is now capable of servicing customers building as many as 50,000 boards per month. Moreover, applications range from industrial controls to aerospace to LED lighting and incorporate a broad spectrum of PCB architectures.

The ASM line has accelerated Pro-Active Engineering’s growth beyond initial expectations. Besides, it enabled the company to attract new high-end business and build increasingly more complex boards in greater volume.

Increases Productivity

Schwanbeck says the three in-line SIPLACE TX machines are able to deliver its promise. In addition, he noted the impressive speed and precision, running reliably day-in and day-out.

“That quality, throughput and dependability go right to our customers’ product assurance and the bottom line,” said Schwanbeck.

ASM’s DEK NeoHorizon printer and SIPLACE TX machines incorporate a combination of SpeedStar, MultiStar, and TwinStar placement heads. Similarly, Pro-Active Engineering tapped into online training via ASM Academy. This allows the manufacturing team up and running on the new line in five days. Following installation, Pro-Active Engineering estimates the ASM equipment has enabled its business to increase by 20 percent (FY 2021). This is because it is almost twice as fast as its lower-volume, prototype lines. Even with this added production boost, the factory is not at capacity due to the line’s speed and efficiency.

“Pretty much everything has exceeded our expectations,” said Schwanbeck. “ASM service is excellent, the equipment is helping us win – and keep — new customers and we would make the same decision if we had to do it all over again.”