Essemtec machines are quite good for small batch production. However you do need to bear in mind the FLX is quite small and depending how you use it and the options fitted might be limited on feeder count.
You don't mention if this FLX is laser or camera based alignment, or if it is is a large board version.
I have had a site visit in the past where they had an FLX (an FLX2010 possibly) and they weren't exactly convinced it was as capable of 0402 as it would like to claim (it did it, but there was an expectation of some tweaking). They were quite happy with how their newer Essemtec Paraquda was handling 0402 and that was using basically the same feeders.
1000 board runs seems like quite a large number to put through a little machine. However this depends a lot on how complex these boards are, if the machine is fitted with a conveyor etc. (I would expect Essemtec to typically be standalone).
Essemtec CLM feeders do suffer from some wear on certain parts such as the cover tape spools that are easily replaced. They are also mechanically fairly complex inside so if one does go wrong they really need to go back to someone who has the knowledge and equipment to fix them. This might be your local distributor or depending where you are that may be a local Essemtec office. The FLX doesn't have great support for newer taller parts like electrolytics, as standard CLM feeders support 6mm and the deep pocket feeders are frankly, rubbish.
I would be reasonably comfortable buying an FLX2011 in the UK. I know there are quite a few out there and you can get them serviced by their former distributor and possibly even their new one. That of course changes by region. However Essemtec did radically change their machines after FLX, the Paraquda, FOX, Cobra & Puma all use their new ePlace software. ePlace is actually very nice to use and the workflow (at least for me) works very well with prototype and small batches. AdoptSMT currently has a Paraquda listed on its site. I wouldn't buy any of their older machines and it might even be worth calling Essemtec about a 2011 and asking them when they intend to end support, there are almost certainly several custom bits of electronics in there they can't support, forever although I would think its a few years off yet. Essemtec Ovens are very well regarded and quite affordable, they have also put their name to some printers. People really like the SP150 which you can also buy as the PBT FA23 (they make it). If you want an automatic printer you can get lots of old DEK ones for about £10k, proper refurbs get quite expensive (personally I'm not too keen on expensive equipment relying on a PC running WindowsNT and some specialist PCI/ISA card but that's how it is)
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