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SME News writes….
Mutech provides a cutting-edge electronics design and manufacturing turn-key service.
We profile the firm to offer our readers a unique insight into this innovative award-winner
and the services it provides. Read the article here.
Mutech design engineer Tim Cameron is chosen by BSI for the IEC Young Professionals’ Program 2019
What is the IEC Young Professionals Program?
“The IEC is an international organisation responsible for industrial and technical standards. They run the Young Professionals Program (YPP) each year, to encourage younger talent to get involved in writing the standards of tomorrow. There are about 150 young professionals on this program from across the world, 3 of whom are from the UK. We will be witnessing first-hand the next IEC meetings in China.”
How did you find out about it and why did you apply for the program?
“Our company director, Colin, has been introduced to some of the young professionals through the IEC committees he is involved with and so has been aware of the program for some time.”
“As a company we want to broaden our understanding of general standards writing and conformity assessment, as we currently have a knowledge of specific standards, relating to explosive atmospheres.”
What do you expect to achieve?
“Well, that’s the tricky part, because I don’t have specific goals for this. I’m primarily seeing it as an information gathering opportunity, to gain exposure to the standards industry and to further Mutech’s visibility to that world, I will definitely purchase myself an orange tie! But mostly my plan is to go out there, to see what’s going on, to see the program the IEC puts on and the opportunities that come out of it. I’m keen to understand what’s worth getting involved in, because there might be standards that align well with our practices or new areas of industry that are advantageous to us.”
You were at BSI for a preparation day recently, how was it?
“The visit the other week to Richmond was a chance for me and the two other candidates, Samantha and Rob, to get to know each other. It was an opportunity to be introduced to the British Standards Institute (BSI) and to find out about what they do and are involved with. It was also a chance for them to explain to us more about the YPP and what we should expect from the other meetings we will have, including the visit to Shanghai. The overall impression I got was that we are going to be very busy in China!”
What’s next?
“Before we head out to Shanghai, we have some interviews booked with BSI about the YPP to help raise the profile of the program. We will then head out to Shanghai for the main event, I will be out there for 6 days. Whilst there, we’ll get a choice of which lectures and activities we would like to be involved in, from lectures on artificial intelligence to power station visits, as well as the opportunity to observe committee meetings and take part in workshops and possibly have input into some standards writing.”
“I’m hoping to have time for fun too. Ganbei!”
Mutech’s annual summer event allows the staff to have fun, let their hair down and engage in outdoor pursuits. Mutech has a history of visiting outdoor activity centres in and around the Manchester area, this year the company opted for the Trafford Treetop Adventure Centre, based at the Trafford Centre, Manchester.
The Treetop Adventure Centre is an aerial obstacle course, where participants a tackle climbing, rope bridge walks, balance beams and zip-wire descents.
On arrival at the centre, Mutech employees were required to complete a consent form to take part in the activities. Then given safety instructions by the Treetop Adventure staff. On course etiquette explained and fitted out with a harness to attached themselves to the safety line that spanned the whole course Mutech employees, now chomping at the bit to get going, were eventually allowed to head out on to the course.
Those employees with a competitive streak chose the sprint option around the course, whereas others took a more leisurely approach. It was a team effort to get everyone round the course, the more sure-footed ones helping and encouraging those less confident. Those that were not so confident taking part initially having fears about being so high up off the ground, were able to overcome their fears and complete the course and thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the aerial pursuits.
Once all had completed the aerial pursuit course, those that wanted to prove themselves were able to take part in a timed race around the first section of the course. Congratulations goes to Jonathan who smashed the course record in a time of 1 minute 25 seconds. Many thanks to the Treetop Adventure staff, who were very friendly, helpful and encouraging during Mutech’s visit.
After all the physical activity, Mutech then headed off to Frankie & Bennys restaurant located near the Trafford Centre, where a hearty, well deserved meal was enjoyed by all.
Where one person chose a desert to rival all deserts…
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 working with PCB panels up to a maximum panel size of 640x515mm and a 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.
SME News writes….
Mutech provides a cutting-edge electronics design and manufacturing turn-key service.
We profile the firm to offer our readers a unique insight into this innovative award-winner
and the services it provides. Read the article here.
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.”
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