Vicor chooses UIC

I’m going to take this opportunity to do a little bragging. But if you’d care not read the whole post, skip to the last paragraph which is a quote from Vicor.


Vicor, headquartered in Andover, MA has chosen Universal Instruments Genesis Platform over the 3 incumbents, Assembleon, MyData, and Siemens.

The purchase was for six machines. Two 136,000 CPH machines (GC-120Q) for their fluctuating high-volume needs. One GX-7S for NPI, capable of placing components within a 30 micron accuracy. And two GX-7S machines for a custom post SMT placement operation.

“The ability to use a common platform for our NPI and high-volume production SMT requirements is a key to our success in efficient transition through the NPI process here at Vicor. Additionally, the capacity to use that same platform for some unique pick and place requirements, post SMT is a huge plus” states Rudy Mutter, Director, Technical Operations at Vicor. “We viewed the technology behind Universal’s VRM linear motor positioning system and Lightning Head as unique differentiators relative to what else is available in the market.”

Some encouraging news…

The AP wrote an article recently discussing the manufacturing industry and what sort of impact it’s had on US counties and their recovery from the economic slump currently facing this country. It’s a great read so I encourage you to click the link and head on over.

Manufacturing areas lead surprise job comeback

Valor - An Overview

Valor has been around for a while but not everybody is aware of just how much they have to offer. Many of their products go way beyond just SMT. (normally I keep my posts very short as I'm sure all of you are very busy. I felt compelled to give more details in this post as I feel it's important to educate my customers as to what tools are available to you)

Valor has 8 software packages, but for electronics manufacturing, they really focus on 4 capabilities.

• DFM - Design For Manufacturability (DFM) Analysis
• vPlan - Machine Programming and Process Documentation
• vCheck - Quality Management, Data Collection and Reporting, and Analysis Tools
• vManage - Factory Floor Visibility and Control

DFM

With Valor's DFM tools you can analyse your bare board and assembly to ensure that when it comes time to manufacture, there won't be any gotchas' that cause delays in delivery. This can be a value add to your customers because it encourages optimal board design that can result in a higher quality product, without significant engineering time.

Anybody familiar with DFM knows that Valor is the name in DFM analysis.

vPlan

Machine programming can be a very time consuming processes. Valor offers CAD, BOM, and Gerber integration for machine programming so no matter what your customer gives you, you can write a program for your machine, even if you have multi-vendor SMT lines. Changeover can be improved as Valor can help you identify possible common feeder setups as well as check the program before it's built with their 'Virtual Sticky Tape' simulation.

vCheck

vCheck gathers data from all PCBA manufacturing processes and then provides standard or customized data reporting and analytics. The data output can even be implemented into in-house MRP, MES or PLM systems. vCheck also provides real time WIP tracking from 'Stock to Dock'. This can provide visibility to help with getting orders out in a timely fashion as well as monitor just how long it takes things to get done.

vManage

vManage is designed to help companies implement lean manufacturing. It provides real-time visibility to scrap levels as well as material consumption. This can help you identify when you will need to order parts so you can pay for UPS ground instead of FedEx Overnight rush!

Traceability is one of the best aspects of vManage. Ever had a bad reel of components. How many boards did you need to check. Wouldn't it have been nice to know which boards had the bad components?

Thank you for reading this. I'm not naive to how well ingrained my competitors are. But I know Valor has a better product offering that people actually like to use and don't just use it because they spent too much money on it. If you would like to meet with an old friend, Mike Dreyer is their current National Sales Manager. We'd be happy to show you everything else Valor has to offer.

Bliss Industries - Representation

Matrix Sales Inc. is now representing Bliss Industries in New England. We're excited to take on this product line and introduce our customers to their many capabilities. Their products are focused at helping companies get lean and include a wide assortment of material handling solutions.

Magazine carts, component storage, solder pallet carts, stencil carts, tray carts, vertical PC board carts, chip tube handling, dross and fume carts, feeder handling, and a whole lot more.

The following is a video explaining their newst product offering, the FLEXconveyor.

Techspray - Introducing Techspray Renew

Techspray has recently released a new line of cleaning products called Techspray Renew. This includes 6 general product lines:

• Eco-Shine Glass and Surface Cleaner
• Eco-Shower Cleaner and Degreaser
• Eco-Stencil Cleaner
• Eco-Oven Cleaner
• Recycled Delicate Task Wipers
• Cotton Cleanroom Wipers

All of the products have low VOC's, low toxicity, biodegradable, made from sustainable materials, uses recycled/recyclable packaging, and comply's to nearly all modern regulations (ie CARB, REACH, WEEE, and RoHS)

These products are priced very aggresively and are aimed to replace IPA based cleaners so you get the best of all worlds; effective cleaners, price competitive, and Earth friendly.

Matrix Sales has been given many samples of these materials and we would like to demonstrate them for you in person. Please contact any one of us to setup an appointment at your facility.

Vitronics Soltec - Demo MySelective 6748

Vitronics Soltec has two MySelective 6748 machines ready to customize and ship in their New Hampshire facility. These are priced very aggressively to move. If you have any need for a unit please let us know as soon as possible as these will go very quickly.

ECD - Solder Paste Softener

ECD is now offering the Malcom SPS Solder Paste Mixer/Softener. It is a non contaminating mixer which utilizes pseudo planetary motion to stir the solder paste. The paste temperature rises due to friction, enabling control over the solder paste viscosity. This allows the solder paste to be pulled from the refrigerator and ready on the stencil, in less than 15 minutes!

For more information, please feel free to contact any of us at Matrix Sales.

Hover-Davis Representation

As of June 22nd, 2009 Matrix Sales will be representing Hover-Davis in New England.

Hover-Davis is a high quality manufacturer of feeder technologies for Fuji, Panasonic, Siemens and Universal Instruments. They also manufacture pre-printed label feeders (pictured) for Assembleon, Fuji, Juki, MyData, Panasonic, Samsung, Siemens, Universal, and Yamaha.

Hover-Davis also has a feeder repair program. This can be a nice costs savings over purchasing brand new feeders. Please feel free to contact us if you have any further interest or questions.

FocalSpot - MiniV

Yesterday I wrote a post about Yestech's X3 3D x-ray. Today I'm writing about the complete opposite end of the spectrum of x-ray inspection. FocalSpot Inc. has released a very basic x-ray inspection system. It is 2D only but is perfect for a very quick check for bridging, voids, and counterfeit devices.

It's dimensions are 32"W x 37"L x 32"H so it can sit on any benchtop. It has an easy to use control panel and a Windows XP computer to analyze images. The best part is, it costs less than $30k.

As always, let us know if you'd like more information.

Yestech - X-Series 3D X-Ray

Recently, Yestech introduced a new machine that uses a 3D x-ray system that permits users to discriminate between the top and bottom sides of boards where there is a high-density of solder joints. The system actually separates the top and bottom images of double sided boards for unimpeded automated inspection of solder joints.

The image below is a sample of what can be done with the system. The first image is a 2D image while the second image is of the top side and the third image is of the bottom side. All of these images were taken on the same spot of the board.

The system can even be integrated with a Yestech AOI inspection system to increase fault coverage for nearly all process defects. The X3 is just as easy to program as Yestech's AOI inspection systems.

As always, let us know if you would like more information.

DEK - Zero Defect Printing Seminar

DEK is looking to hold a Technology Day in the early fall. They will be choosing one territory with the theme being Zero Defect Printing. The preliminary agenda is

Customer Testimonial: Gentex; New Stencil Study; Productivity Tools; OTS; V9 Software; Tracking & Verification; Hawkeye and Bridge Detection; Back to Basics Review; Alternative Applications; Solar Cell; SemiCon; Underfill; and Ball Placement

This one day seminar is going to take place in only one territory. It is open to all existing DEK customers as well as anybody interested in a DEK product. Please let us know if you are interested as we can only bring the seminar to our area if there is enough interest.

Techspray - Precision-V Video

Techspray has been making flux solvents and general degreasers for sometime now. But recently we were given videos to demonstrate to customers the strength of their solvents. The following video shows you how the competitive flux remover could not finish removing the flux. The remainder was cleaned in less than 2 seconds with Precision-V. Techspray is not more expensive. Just better.

If you'd like to try a sample of any of Techspray's products, including their cleaners, conformal coatings, swabs, or wipes, please let us know.

Vitronics Soltec - AUTOset

AUTOset is a software subsystem installed on all new Vitronics Soltec XPM3 Series reflow soldering machines. It eliminates the need for the operator to "guess" an initial oven recipe, by using an algorithm to calculate the ideal oven recipe based on input data.

AUTOset not only saves process development time, but also energy and operating costs by generating more efficient profiles from Vitronics Soltec's vast informational database and more than 15 years of developing optimized thermal profiles for reflow ovens.

AUTOset will work with any third-party thermal profiler, including ECD products.

If you would like more information about any of Vitronics Soltec's products, please let us know.

ECD - MegaMole and MegaRider

ECD announced today two new products that work with their MegaMole thermal profiler. The MegaRider V10 and the MegaRider S14. These devices are used to verify an oven profile instead of using a golden PCB that might not hold up to numerous runs.

The MegaRider V10 is data rich with equal mass PCB simulation and ambient sensors in 4 places across the leading edge of the pallet. Teamed with the MegaMole 20 thermal profiler, you can capture all 10 channels of data analysis, decision making, and future reference.

The MegaRider S14 has similar features to the MegaRider V10 but provides 14 channels of thermal sensors.

If you have any questions or any interest in ECD products, please let us know.

DEK - Horizon Platform Refresh

DEK's Horizon platform has been refreshed. There are now only two productivity choices that need to be made up front. Do you need the High Throughput Conveyor and/or the Adjustable Stencil Mount? After that, every option is field retrofitable.

We have DEK's Instinctiv V9 software installed on our laptops to demonstrate. Let us know if you would like to have a demonstration.

You can click the title of this post and you will be redirected to a Horizon Platform Configurator to configure your DEK screen printer any way you'd like. If you have any more questions about DEK products, please let us know.

IAC - Workmaster Storage Cabinets

IAC now offers storage cabinets in their workmaster series of workbenches. The storage cabinets are 27 inches tall offering 12 cubic feet of storage space. With the addition of the storage cabinets IAC can now provide sixteen different cabinet configurations.

If you would like to know more about any of IAC's products, please feel free to contact any one of us at Matrix Sales, using the contact information on the right of this web page.

DEK - Stinger Adhesive Dispense

DEK has recently introduced a technology they call Stringer for their screen printing machines that have V9 software installed. Stinger is a Print Platform Adaptable Dispensing Technology. It is a low volume dispense module attached to the camera carriage of a standard DEK printer. It is not designed to replace a regular dispenser but to provide dual functionality to the print platform for customers who require a number of glue dots to be dispensed on a mixed technology board for example.

If you'd like to know more about Stinger or any of DEK's products, you'll find our contact information to the right of this website. Please feel free to call any one of us.

Universal Instruments Corporation

As of today, May 20th 2009, Matrix Sales is now the exclusive representative of Universal Instruments here in New England. We are very happy to represent UIC and excited to offer their SMT , Thru-Hole, and Odd Form Production machines and services to our customers.

Matrix Sales has made this decision in order to provide a more flexible product offering to our customers whose primary business is a low-volume, high-mix product. However, Universal still has a product offering for high-volume customers with their GC-120 machine that can place 120,000 components per hour. All of this, without sacraficing flexability, as the GC-120 (pictured) has a component range of 01005 chip components to 30mmx30mm QFP's and BGA's and even 6mm tall capacitors.

Universal Instruments drives the advancement of the global electronics assembly industry by supplying first-class equipment and process expertise. Universal's binding quality policy and culture of high integrity and ambition provides a strong foundation for long-lasting productivity and profitability.

Here at Matrix Sales we're making a special effort to visit each and every one of our customers in person to introduce them to Universal and their sales team. If you have an immediate need for new SMT or Thru-Hole equipment please let us know and you'll be first on our list.

Mantis Elite with Built-In Camera

Since the launch of the Original Mantis & New Mantis, there have been many requests for a camera system go with the Mantis Heads.

Vision Engineering now offers a USB camera which is permanently integrated with the Elite Head and gives high resolution images of the subject being studied.

Such a system offers customers many advantages, including the ability to project the image as a teaching aid.

The camera does not move the optical paths, in other words, the image in the Mantis Head will be the same as through the camera.

The USB Camera produces a high resolution image with full field illumincation at 2x, 4x, 6x, 8x, 10x, and 15x.

Please contact any of us here at Matrix Sales and we'll be happy to offer you a free domonstration.

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Vision Engineering offers 25% discount

For a limited period, Vision Engineering Inc. is offering a substantial trade-in program for existing 'original' Mantis customers. Customers can trade-in their existing 'original' Mantis unit(s) for a 25% discount on new Mantis Compact or Mantis Elite systems (volume discounts available). For more information you can visit Vision Engineering's web page that discusses this specific topic. Click Here

The Matrix Sales team have been given units of the Mantis Elite and Mantis Compact to demonstrate to our customers the advantages of the new units. Click any of our e-mail addresses below to contact us for a free demo.

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