Mutech Ltd are pleased to announce the purchase and first use of their SpeedPrint SP710avi Advanced Vision Intelligence screen printing system.
An extensive search by the Production team lead to the SpeedPrint SP710avi being deemed at the head of the list for Mutech’s requirements.
Mutech Ltd, compliant with IECEx standards and being an industry pioneer in Functional Safety electronics design, are confident the introduction of the SP710avi into their production process will lead to increased efficiency and accuracy in their PCB assembly production cycle.
Following the setup, commissioning and initial training provided by Speedprint Technology of Poole, Dorset, the SP710avi has been found to be a very flexible addition to the production setup.
The SpeedPrint SP710avi is capable of PCB panels to a maximum panel size 640x515mm and part size as small as 00102. The advanced 2D and 2D+ lighting inspection systems can be changed to the required inspection criteria for each individual PCB run. The inspection system can be taught rectangular and round solder pads, searching for solder paste bridging between pads, misalignments and insufficient paste to pads.
Having the option of fitting a USB Bar Code reader, the SP710avi can provide full traceability of PCB production runs, on-board statistical analysis gives the operator selectable feedback to optimize the running of the SP710avi within the production line.
Our new SpeedPrint SP710avi is a very welcome addition to the Mutech production department.

Major investment in manufacturing facilities at Mutech.

Significant investment in one of the most advanced SMT systems available demonstrates Mutech’s commitment to quality, flexibility and rapid response.

Following extensive research, Mutech took delivery last month of a Hanwah SM482 Plus multifunctional placer, further extending their manufacturing capacity and enhancing the company’s production capabilities. The latest-generation version of Hanwah’s full vision pick and place machines, the SM482 Plus offers the highest speed and accuracy of component placers within its class.

Mutech’s choice was based on several key elements of the machine’s specification, particularly those relating to speed, accuracy and extended sizing options. Patented on-the-fly image recognition technology allows component recognition without stopping, moving after component pickup. Placement speed is maximised by minimising the moving time between the pickup and placement positions, and recognition time is reduced to zero. A powerful vision algorithm increases recognition accuracy using component image noise removal and an auto-teaching function, and the flying camera helps recognise and calibrate components including Chip, TR, BA and QFP, while moving them to the placement position after pickup. A panorama view function, combining split component images, gives accurate images for component whose size exceeds the FOV of a camera. This provides a better image, particularly relevant when picking and placing irregular SMD components. The SM482 Plus has a headline placement capacity of 30,000 components per hour, has a large PCB size (460 x 400mm as standard), and includes a component monitoring feature that avoids over-dumping of a large quantity of components in advance.

Mutech’s investment in this system brings a range of customer benefits, in addition to increased manufacturing capacity. The speed of the SM482 Plus will help to further reduce lead times, meaning an even faster turnaround and enhancing Mutech’s already-excellent reputation for prototype production and assembly. The flexibility inherent in the system, capable of handling smaller components and larger boards than previously, means that Mutech can now offer their customers more options from the design and consultancy stages through to production, helping customers from start-ups with new products and processes through to the OEMs with whom Mutech have worked for over 25 years. In line with Mutech’s philosophy of ‘right first time’ delivery, the accuracy of the new system reflects Mutech’s overriding commitment to quality. After considering a range of electronics manufacturing equipment specialists, Mutech contracted Bradford-based Elite Seven Installations for the supply and installation of their SM482 Plus and, in doing so, are very happy to be furthering investment in the regional economy, benefitting more companies in the electronics and manufacturing sectors in the North of England.

Commenting on this recent investment, Colin Cameron, Mutech’s managing director, said, “We investigated a range of options when considering new equipment and this purchase demonstrates our clear commitment to growth in the manufacturing part of Mutech’s business. We are confident that our customers will reap the benefit of our investment and we look forward to helping them develop further, through the greater flexibility we can now offer. The delivery and installation of the new equipment was a major logistical project, in itself, and our manufacturing experts are delighted to be able to offer an extended service to our customers.”

The search for new placement equipment is on! The team will now start work on getting the right solution in place for early 2018.

The list of requirements is not long, however it is demanding.

“Increased accuracy, reliability, flexibility and speed are essentials” says company secretary, Julia Cameron. “Mutech is committed to having the best equipment in order to maintain the enviable reputation for the high-quality performance that our customers expect. The new machine will be the focus of the efforts to increase production at our Irlam facility. The current, now ageing, machines are the present bottle neck at times which we hope will be only one of the improvements made by acquiring the latest equipment on the market. Once in place we will see an end to the present bottle necks which are sure to move on to the next area ripe for investment. My gut feeling is that it will be personnel that becomes our next investment.”