Feb 23, 2012 
Using iineo II, Schippers & Crew Produces Different Types of PCBs at Great Speed
Since adding the Europlacer iineo II to its SMT production line last year, electronics manufacturing services (EMS) company Schippers & Crew tripled production capacity and increased quality control for greater yield per lot. Schippers & Crew uses the iineo II to assemble high volume kits consisting of the smallest pitch components in the industry. The ultra-high placement rate of the SMT pick-and-place machine ensures on-time deliveries for its small to medium volume, high mix customer base.
“The iineo II is a better built machine that enables us to produce different types of PCBs at great speed,” remarks Bert Schippers, Schippers & Crew CEO. “Previously, production would be completed just on deadline. Now, with the iineo II, we are never rushed to get jobs completed on time.”
When evaluating different pick-and-place equipment on the market, Schippers & Crew chose the Europlacer iineo II based on its superior technology, operational flexibility and control to meet current demand and future customer requirements. The company also valued the customer service provided over the years by Europlacer, a designer and manufacturer of comprehensive SMT pick-and-place equipment for the global electronics industry. For almost a decade, Schippers & Crew has used Europlacer SMT technology in producing circuit boards for a variety of fields such as test and measurement, medical instruments, industrial controls, communications and aerospace.
“As some of our customers prefer to place blanket orders with multiple deliveries, we are now better able to produce in large runs, and deliver per customer schedules,” notes Amer Hadzikadunic, Schippers & Crew Chief Operations Officer. “Using the iineo II, we can produce in just 1 to 1½ days what previously took us 4 to 5 days.”
Featuring the largest industry board size, intelligent feeders and digital inspection cameras, the highly flexible, dual gantry iineo II handles a variety of PCBs - wide, long and even oversized - up to 24”W x 63”L with a placement rate up to 30,000 cph. Feeders are fully programmable with component and inventory data for fast machine recognition that quickens set up and changeover. Operating software with features such as electrical verification and low feeder warning lights ensure that new components are loaded correctly and immediately ready for processing.
“In addition to speed, placement accuracy has improved, resulting in greater yield,” notes Amer. “We also like having the capability to handle boards of different sizes and new technologies like chip on chip as new customers approach us with these requirements.”
Bert Schippers also values the iineo II as a marketing tool for future business. “In addition to supporting our current profitability, the SMT pick-and-place equipment strategically positions us to market high volume capabilities to new customers.”
To read the complete Schippers & Crew application story, visit www.europlacer.com.
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.
