Dual lane SMT lines

So you'd say it's better for squeezing out every last bit of capacity rather than offering more flexibility?

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There is at least one printer I've seen that takes two stencils at a time and runs them in parallel. Another has a two conveyors and will use one to pass through with the idea that you'd put two printers next to each other, feeding different sides of the line. The solution I've seen on Fuji dual lane setups have two printers back to back.

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> Hello, As per me if your products have a large
> number of common components, a dual lane setup
> allows you to run different products
> simultaneously, maximizing efficiency and
> throughput. This setup can also provide
> flexibility in managing varying production
> demands and reducing bottlenecks.

I'm not sure this is always accurate. Providing you have exactly the right workload, a dual line setup might let you squeeze a little more efficiency from your SMT line. But depending on the machine you choose to do it, you will effectively be treating the 'front line' as a completely different line to the rear one, so component commonality does not come into it. Having a head come from the back to pick from the front is inefficient, you want it to stay as close to its own feeders and lane as possible. You also have one sides throughput being affected by the other if they are unbalanced.

Dual lane is certainly more efficient in floor space than two dedicated lines, but two lines can be tweaked independently of each other for maximum efficiency - more placers, extra inspection for a complex product, different head types etc.

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