Aug 22, 2011 
Virtual Industries Inc., a leading supplier of manual vacuum handling solutions, announces that it will display several advanced systems in Booth #753 at the upcoming Assembly & Automation Technology Expo, scheduled to take place September 20-22, 2011 at McCormick Place North in Chicago, IL.
The VIR-STAT™ Air Ionizers (VS-100) eliminate static charges in ESD-sensitive assembly areas. The VIR-STAT air-ionizers are available in various configurations, with prices starting at $495.78. There are two bench top units that direct ionized air to the workspace directly in front of an assembler. One unit has an RS485 port for data collection, while the other does not. Overhead ionizing units are available for controlling larger areas.
In addition to protecting ESD-sensitive components, air ionization reduces "stiction" when handling extremely small insulative components. Stiction occurs when two surfaces with areas below the micrometer range come into close contact, such as a small part probe and the part being handled. The part sticks to the probe and will not release. Ionizing the air neutralizes the static charge and associated stiction.
The Small Part Handling Kit (TV1000-SP8-BD-MAG1), the company’s show special, is for parts as small as 01005. This general-purpose vacuum handling tool plugs directly into 110 V 50/60 Hz. The compact unit will handle a variety of optics, ball lenses and SMT parts used in the industry today. The kit includes a set of rubber tipped vacuum tips as well as a set of eight small parts tips. As a special at the show, all Small Part Handling Kit purchases will come with a free 2.5X lighted magnifier that runs on three AAA batteries (included).
With the Small Part Handling Kit, parts as small as 0.05" (0.10 mm) are handled without damage. A vacuum tweezer eliminates lost parts associated with mechanical tweezer handling. The long-life diaphragm vacuum pump generates up to 10" of mercury with an open air flow of 2.3 lpm. The unit connects to ground automatically with a three-wire power cord.
For more information about any of Virtual Industries’ advanced equipment, meet company representatives in Booth #753 at the show or visit www.virtual-ii.com.
Founded in 1987, Virtual Industries Inc. is headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colo. For more than 20 years, Virtual Industries has been a leading supplier of manual vacuum handling solutions to the world’s high-technology firms. The company’s patented ESD-safe products are used by CLASS I clean room personnel, electronics assemblers, semiconductor manufacturers, Universities and scientists globally. Virtual Industries’ success has come from developing innovative manual vacuum handling tools and pick-up tips based on customer requests and customer feed back. These tools provide customer specific solutions that make assembly and processing operations more productive and ergonomic.
