New and Used SMT Assembly Equipment Validated by CeTaQ
Hudson, New Hampshire, USA - Many OEM's and contract manufacturers overlook the critical importance of machine capability analysis (MCA) testing and verification services for both new and used systems, says Michael Sivigny, General Manager of CeTaQ Americas. "The need for performance verification analysis is especially important for used equipment, and equipment that has undergone a complete overhaul or significant maintenance. It is not only an issue of shipping and movement, though past testing has indicated that the mere lifting of a machine will impact mean value shifts in reduced accuracy performance in the order of 20-30 microns" Sivigny adds. The testing also ensures that the servicing that has been done includes proper calibration and adjustment. "It is important for electronics assemblers, and their customers, to know that the equipment is performing to its original or stated specifications" Sivigny says.
New equipment, shipped directly from the OEM, should be tested prior to production, to ensure that it has been optimally installed and has not been affected by the shipping process.
For example, the most common problem found with placement equipment is that of systematic offsets (80%). They can be offsets per head, per angle or simply a general offset. Offsets negatively affect placement accuracy, resulting in PCB defects, lower yields, and costly manual rework. CeTaQ Americas utilizes powerful hardware and software quality tools that analyze machine capability, checking the basic settings and functions of the equipment to identify, control, and correct failures, so that the unit(s) can once again assemble product within the original quality specifications established by its manufacturer. Actual 'live' components used in product assemblies are used in the analyses. Each system verified is then labelled with an informational sticker that documents the fact that the machine's performance has been verified by an independent testing authority, CeTaQ Americas.
CeTaQ Americas provides state-of-the-art measurement technology for equipment and process capability analysis for SMT assembly and other production equipment. The data and measurement results obtained provide the base for stable and controlled processing. Many types of production machines in electronics manufacturing and semiconductor industries are easily validated by CeTaQ, including placement, reflow, printers, chip shooters, and much more. Innovative software operates the measurement equipment and provides statistical specification based results on machine quality performance. Comprehensive certification reports validate accuracy and repeatability performance, which allows users to improve product quality and optimize performance for increased manufacturing profitability.
For more information, visit www.cetaq.com, or contact CeTaQ Americas (formerly EAGLE-EYED ONE) at P.O. Box 7332, Nashua, NH 03060, Office: 603-883-7843; Fax: 603-484-8478; Mobile: 603-566-2141; Email: solutions@cetaq-americas.com .
