Jul 31, 2013 
Europlacer, a manufacturer of market-leading flexible SMT placement machines, announces that Microtech, a specialist contract manufacturer based in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, UK, recently purchased an iineo system.
This purchase marks Microtech’s third generation of machine evolution from Europlacer. The company’s first purchase was an EP600 in 1996, followed by a Finesse in 2000 when it needed to increase capacity. Microtech was one of the first to invest in the Finesse and now, 13 years later, it has purchased its first iineo system.
Key factors in Microtech’s decision to purchase the iineo included its long relationship with Europlacer, the iineo’s compatibility with feeders and the fact the Finesse could be updated with a compatible software platform. Additional benefits include increased speed as well as improved quality and technology. According to Microtech’s Production Director Graham Mills, 0201 repeatability is much better with the newer lines, allowing the company the flexibility it needs. Mills added, “While it is still early days with the iineo, already we can tell that our placement is much improved. This is a significant step up from the Finesse and an even greater step up from the EP600.” Microtech also credited Europlacer’s strong support, both in the field and over the telephone, as a deciding factor in its purchase of the iineo.
“Repeatability and accuracy of our offerings are important,” Mills said. “While customers may not notice this and/or the full benefits that come as a result, we notice that with each board there is a visible improvement as well as less operator interference and downtime.”
Microtech provides its partners with a “one-stop” solution from product development, prototypes, batch manufacture right through to volume production. This enables its partners to focus technical, managerial and financial resources on their commercially important strategic goals. Microtech has a proven track record of long-term stable and mutually profitable relationships with its partner companies. For more information, contact Graham Mills, Production Director, at Microtech, +441494 684719; E-mail: graham.m@mtick.co.uk; Web site: www.mtick.co.uk/.
Europlacer became a division of Parable Trust Ltd. in 2013. Europlacer has been developing machines for SMT electronics assembly since the 1970s and invented the intelligent feeder concept in the 1980s. After acquisition by Blakell Europlacer in 1991, the company moved away from split-axis to the inherently more capable X-Y architecture that underpins the company’s pick-and-place machines today. Europlacer’s policy has been to ensure wherever possible that technology purchased many years ago, especially feeders, remain compatible with the latest pick-and-place equipment. Europlacer designs and manufactures a comprehensive range of highly flexible SMT pick-and-place systems for the global electronics industry. For more information, visit Europlacer’s Web site at www.europlacer.com.
