Europlacer to Exhibit Dual-Gantry Xpress 25 at APEX 2008

APEX, NC - March 2008 - Europlacer, a designer and manufacturer of comprehensive SMT placement systems for the global electronics industry, announces that it will feature a dual-gantry Xpress 25 flexible high-volume SMT placement system in booth 1624 at the upcoming APEX 2008 exhibition and conference scheduled to take place April 1-3, in Las Vegas.

Xpress 25 brings new vision to modular placement - combining high-speed and fine-pitch capabilities within a remarkably compact footprint. Unlike conventional high-end placers, the twin headed Xpress 25 can place a wide array of devices ranging from 0201 to 2.74" sq QFP/BGA at a tact time of 0.144 sec (25,000 cph equivalent, IPC: 18,900 cph). Equipped with �smart nozzles� and on- the-fly vision, Xpress 25 gives users a genuine single machine solution OR an extraordinarily simple line speed enhancement when placed in-line with existing assemblers.

The flexible placement system features numerous key benefits including a significant protection of investment, intelligent feeder technology, �smart� nozzles, broad component processing range and more.

Offering users a feeder capacity of 92 x 8 mm, the dual-gantry Xpress 25 has an accuracy of �0.0014" (QFP) to �0.004" (chip) at 3 Sigma. Additionally, the system features a minimum pitch down to 0.012" and a tape size range from 8 to 88 mm.

Various options are also available for the system: intelligent tape feeders, intelligent tape trolley, intelligent belt feeders, intelligent beltfeeders, intelligent internal matrix tray, intelligent matrix tray sequencer, tape trolley, offline storage trolley, component test verification, barcode reader, fixed upward vision camera and comprehensive software for factory management and efficiency.

About Europlacer

Europlacer has been developing machines for 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 machines today. Europlacer�s policy has been to ensure wherever possible that technology purchased many years ago, especially feeders, remain compatible with the latest equipment. Europlacer designs and manufactures a comprehensive range of highly flexible SMT placement systems for the global electronics industry. For more information, visit Europlacer�s Web site at http://www.europlacer.com.