INDUSTRY INTERVIEW
OEM, and that means having thousands of reels on hand. Having an endless supply or reels that are used across multiple shifts for actual production needs gives us a huge advantage for our R&D. From this, we built the most robust set of algorithms in the industry specifically for this application. No other company can say that. If you think about it, any component such as a resistor 01005 can come in various packages, different quantities as well as cut strips, ESD bags, boxes, etc. You may not think those differences can affect an X-ray image and the counting process, but they can and who is going to purchase millions of dollars in reels for testing? We didn’t have to because we have this inventory in our own factory. Having these robust sets of algorithms results in never requiring a
library of models and requiring NO programming. It’s truly a “Plug and Play” solution that can be used within a few hours of arriving at a factory.
5. Being part of Nordson gives the added benefit of a larger team and more support, which is comforting to our customers.
Why does component counting seem to be such a hot topic right now? I’d say it’s been very hot for a while as people are realising it is a critical part of the process, and it demands the same attention as the entire production. They are searching for all ways to keep lines running. When a line stops because you ran out of a component that is worth about ½ a penny, it’s a bit frustrating. With the current component shortage situation, it’s even more critical to manage your inventory. Keep what you have safe and know what you have. When using an x-ray counter such as the Assure, it allows you to count 100% of your inventory, typically with one person. That is not possible with manual counters unless you have several people doing this all day long across multiple shifts. Also, with manual counters you have a lot more human error, and now more than ever it is critical to manage inventory properly.
What are the benefits of Assure FLEX Automation ? We designed a machine that can be built around the customers’ requirements. The FLEX machine can be purchased by itself and used by itself, or the customer can attach it to various conveyors, loaders, robots, etc. They can also get a complete solution from us including loaders and unloaders, automatic label placement, and conveyors. In addition to handling devices, it can be physically connected to storage towers and for the most part, controlled by the tower. The idea of the FLEX is not necessarily about cycle time. In fact, it
could be slower than a stand-alone machine depending on the configuration, but not always. That is not a bad thing because the idea for this machine is more about a hands-off approach. However, no matter what, it will always be faster, more accurate, and safer compared to manual counting. In today’s world, it’s more about hands-off automation and inventory control vs. speed. Set it and walk away. This results in fewer human errors, and less potential
damage to components. It’s not a pick and place machine where speed is always measured. An example of one of our FLEX configurations is quite interesting. We
supplied our FLEX machine without any attachments. The customer did the entire integration by themselves with our support. At incoming, they use an incoming material station to match the part numbers to a BOM and apply a new unique identifier for that reel. The reel is placed on a conveyor and transferred to the first Assure FLEX to verify the count matches the PO. From that point the reel travels throughout the factory on a conveyor directly to a storage tower with humidity control, and it stays there until it is needed for a job. Once the reel is called on, it is automatically delivered via AGV directly to the line. When production is completed, the reel is moved via AGV to a second Assure FLEX directly connected to the storage tower, counted again and returned to inventory. In this case, other than at receiving, and putting the reel on the feeder directly in front of the pick and place machine, there is no handling of the reel.
How does automated counting and storage complement each other? I think the example just mentioned is a very good example of how they complement each other. But not all customers are ready for this type of automation and that does not matter to us. Even our stand- alone Assures can communicate with any storage system. They do not have to be automated. We have several “s/w only” connections to storage towers and rooms. We also connect to storage rack systems, which are different than towers but have many benefits as well. In fact, many customers have both storage towers and storage racks. Each have their own benefits. The reel is counted on the Assure, and it immediately updates any
type of storage system. Whether they walk the reel over, push it on a cart, or a conveyor, the communication is the same as a fully automated system. The way they complement each other is simple. We count the reel, and then it is kept safe in a storage system. By them knowing the count, they can be confident when they put the reel on a feeder, and we can be confident after we count it, it is kept safe, and our count remains accurate and reliable. Working together like this is how we keep SMT lines running.
Nordson DAGE
www.nordson.com
NOVEMBER 2021 | ELECTRONICS TODAY 33
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