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Universal Instruments Lightning Head

Universal Instruments Lightning Head

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Thinking about converting to GC60's and GI14 machines. Do an... - Jun 27, 2011 by esoderberg

The company on a whole makes me nervous. If I were a betting... - Jun 27, 2011 by KaHrpr

We have 2 Lightning machines (30 spindle). They have been g... - Jun 27, 2011 by SWAG

I have multiple machines consisting of a mix of the followin... - Jun 28, 2011 by JAX

I would agree up until 2005 - 2006. Universal did not have a... - Jun 28, 2011 by esoderberg

Same time period went though numerous software up grades. ho... - Jun 28, 2011 by KaHrpr

I started with Dual Beam, 7 spindle, Genesis machines. (fir... - Jun 28, 2011 by JAX

Hello All We are currently running 3 universal smt machines... - Jun 29, 2011 by WRONGWAY

esoderberg

#64553

Universal Instruments Lightning Head | 27 June, 2011

Thinking about converting to GC60's and GI14 machines. Do any of you have opinions as to how good the machines really are?

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KaHrpr

#64554

Universal Instruments Lightning Head | 27 June, 2011

The company on a whole makes me nervous. If I were a betting man my guess is they have the biggest potential to be sold or worse. I am not sure I would bet my companies future on them. The last experience I had with them on new equipment was the start up did not go that smooth took about 4 weeks once it was running it seemed to do ok. Feeders seemed to break a lot. I to would like to hear other opinions on universal. I could be wrong that was awhile ago.

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SWAG

#64555

Universal Instruments Lightning Head | 27 June, 2011

We have 2 Lightning machines (30 spindle). They have been great. Only a couple minor issues in the 3 years we've had them. No troubles with feeders, either. The "Golds" work great and we have had a 3 or 4 with troubles but that is out of 200+ feeders. Low maintenance and good reliability and good service from UIC has been my exerience for the past 10 yrs.

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JAX

#64560

Universal Instruments Lightning Head | 28 June, 2011

I have multiple machines consisting of a mix of the following: Single beam Lightning head machines (Advantis, Lead Screw) Dual Beam Seven Spindle machines (Genesis, Linear Drive) Single Beam Seven Spindle Machines Advantis, Lead Screw) The vintage ranges from 8 years old to 3 years old. I have had no major issues to speak of... The newer machines are much easier to work on and have less items, with the removal of the OTHC, to give you a headache.

I have worked with Fuji, Assembleon, Mydata, Quad, Mirae and Siemens... I would put Universal above them all from a service and reliability standpoint.

You need to make the right choice for the right application... might be UIC, might not.

I wouldn't worry about support and reliability from UIC though.

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esoderberg

#64561

Universal Instruments Lightning Head | 28 June, 2011

I would agree up until 2005 - 2006. Universal did not have a good SMT solution. Their GSM's were limited and combined with the sanyo chip shooter - software was a nightmare. What years did you have universal?

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KaHrpr

#64562

Universal Instruments Lightning Head | 28 June, 2011

Same time period went though numerous software up grades. however it look as if they improved things a lot.Next show I think in Chicago. I will have to pay them a visit. I do not want to give them any negative press that's not justified. All the manufactures have had the ups and downs.

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JAX

#64563

Universal Instruments Lightning Head | 28 June, 2011

I started with Dual Beam, 7 spindle, Genesis machines. (first in 2003) - Still runs good Speed was not my main concern... Odd Form, Tall components were. I added High Speed with the Lightning Head machines. (first in 2005) - Still runs Good

I am not sure if I will continue to purchase UIC for all of our SMT needs but they Top the list, without knowing what the specific application needs are.

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WRONGWAY

#64574

Universal Instruments Lightning Head | 29 June, 2011

Hello All We are currently running 3 universal smt machines one is an advantis lighting head all 3 machines are 2007 we run 2 shifts 5 days a week I have had very little trouble with them or the feeders. we have 2 universal through hole machines one axial one i.c. inserter had these since 1999 have had to replace some parts but both machines are still running great my expirence with the support is better then any i have worked with one time when our machine went down the universal guy showed up at 10:00 p.m worked till 2:00 a.m got our machine running again and this was a friday night. i have never called universal and couldnt talk to someone that seemed to know what they were talking about and made in the U.S.A

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