Jan 29, 2001 Addressing the electronics industry's need for a cost-effective odd form placement and final assembly workcell, Universal Instruments Corp. has launched the new Polaris Assembly Cell.
"The Polaris Assembly Cell is a reconfigurable platform that performs multiple tasks with high equipment utilization and long-term investment protection," said John Kukowski, Vice President of Universal's Odd Form and Final Assembly Division. "The Polaris Assembly Cell bridges the gap between standard PCB assembly equipment and robotics," added Mr. Kukowski. "You get the best of both worlds, all in one compact modular solution."
The development process for the Polaris Assembly Cell integrated component placement technology from Universal's field-proven GSM Platform, a human-factors study, and customer-driven features based upon continuous feedback during all phases of design. The end result is a user-friendly and cost-effective platform for odd component placement and final product assembly.
The Polaris Assembly Cell incorporates some of these key advantages from robotics:
- Cost-effective compared to manual assembly
- Open architecture
- Multi-level assembly capability
- Customizable tooling and from PCB assembly equipment:
- Easy-to-use interface
- CAD-driven placements
- Vision inspection and orientation
- Flexibility to handle a wide component range
"When combined with our extensive PCB assembly knowledge base, the Polaris Assembly Cell presents customers with an attractive alternative to manually placing odd form components," Mr. Kukowski continued. "And in today's tight labor market, that results in higher product quality and lower production costs through effective automation."
The Polaris Assembly Cell joins Universal's full line of equipment for the electronics assembly industry, such as the Infinity screen printer, HSP chipshooter, GSM Platform, XPM-Series Oven, and ACE conveyors. This new platform also provides Universal with the flexibility to provide back-end assembly solutions, where the printed circuit board is assembled into the final product, as in many handheld electronic devices.
Universal backs all its high-quality products with extensive full-service product support, including: field engineering services; telephone consultation with technical specialists; applications engineering; integration and systems consulting; training; compatible software; worldwide spare parts; and process expertise from Universal's Advanced Process/Surface Mount Technology Laboratory.
Universal Instruments, a subsidiary of Dover Corp. (NYSE Symbol: DOV) and based in Binghamton, NY, is a global provider of innovative electronic circuit assembly technology and equipment, integrated system solutions, and process expertise to the top manufacturers in every category of the electronics industry. Around the globe, more than 18,000 installed machines carry Universal Instruments' name. Universal has sales, service, product training, and parts distribution locations throughout the world.
