Aug 28, 2009 
Essemtec, a leading manufacturer of surface mount technology production equipment, announces that it will premier the PANFLEX2, a highly flexible high-speed pick-and-place machine in booth 704 at the upcoming IPC Midwest Conference & Exhibition, scheduled to take place September 23-24, 2009 at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel & Convention Center in Schaumburg, IL.
Numerous products, ranging from one to several tens of thousands, and increasing cost pressures are some of the challenges facing today’s electronics production. Essemtec has developed the new PANFLEX2 to specifically meet these production demands and challenges. The system places chips from 0201 to 50 x 50 mm fine-pitch QFPs.
The positioning of the electronic components is accomplished with quick laser optic and vision systems. Also, as a new feature and significant benefit, PANFLEX2 now comes with a standard vision system, which was developed by Essemtec to provide cost savings in addition to more component flexibility.
PANFLEX2 consists of two parallel operating placing modules that are connected via a multistage conveyor. Each module is responsible for part of placing, and together they achieve a capacity of 12,000 components per hour. The common transportation system is equipped with a SMEMA interface, providing easy connection to other machines at both the input and output.
Up to 190 various components can be prepared simultaneously. This significant receiving capacity enables the fabrication of very complex orders and reduces the time for adaption. For example, electronic components used at several orders can remain on the machine constantly.
Despite its great capacity, the PANFLEX2 is very compact because Essemtec is focused on machines with small foot prints and small, highly flexible feeders. These motorized, intelligent component-cassettes are quick and interchangeable during operation. They can be programmed offline by barcode reader and will be identified by the pick-and-place machine automatically.
Using the graphic user interface, operation is both quick and easy to learn. The same software is used in all Essemtec pick-and-place machines so that programs and libraries can be exchanged easily. With the universal CAD-interface coordinate lists, software can be changed into finished placement programs within seconds. With the integrated virtual-view function, these programs can be checked before placement with the actual printing board and can be corrected, if necessary.
PANFLEX2 is based on the technology of the successful FLX pick-and-place machine series. Feeders, programs and libraries are completely compatible. PANFLEX2 is developed and manufactured in Switzerland and offers high quality at both the product and service levels.
Together with system delivery, customers receive full access to the company’s remote maintenance system and to the customer portal MyEssemtec.com. Essemtec also offers attractive solutions for capital investment financing and service contracts.
All Essemtec equipment is optimized for maximum flexibility, providing users quick changeover from one product to another on the shop floor while simultaneously using the manufacturing capacity to its maximum. Essemtec – be more flexible.
Essemtec is a worldwide leader in the manufacturer of Surface Mount Technology (SMT) production equipment. Essemtec specializes in high mix production equipment for Printed Circuit Boards (PCB) using Surface Mount Technology. Essemtec is the only manufacturer to cover the entire production process, from Printers and/or Dispensers, to Pick-and-Place and Soldering equipment. Therefore, customers benefit from unparallel knowledge and the ability to select, from a single source, a complete process solution to meet their requirements.
