Nowadays, manufacturing engineering is of long-term and crucial importance for the optimization of production processes, rapid industrialization of new products, and the company’s competitiveness in the market. Iskraemeco acknowledges the major role of new technologies of digitalization, automation and robotic processes, which is why we strive for continuous production improvements and upgrades. This helps us to increase efficiency and optimize both simple and complex processes and systems.
The main purpose of the Manufacturing Engineering sector is to industrialize new products, optimize the production processes, implement new technologies, ensure additional capacity and respond more efficiently to personalized customer requirements. In so doing, the sector helps increase overall performance, improve energy efficiency, cut costs, eliminate WIP, improve workplace ergonomics, and enhance the coordination among departments and the ability to adapt quickly to different needs. The outcome is a more effective use of resources: people, materials, equipment, tools and information.
Iskraemeco has made several investments to improve its technical and technological production process, automation, robotics, workplace ergonomics and to optimize PCB assembly. With an aim to improve the manufacture, testing and storage of PCBA`s, we have implemented five advanced systems that boost the efficiency of our production processes, improve the quality of our products and, consequently, enhance the satisfaction of our customers.
Robotic cell for circuit board testing
In order to take the productivity and ac- curacy of our production process, as well as the quality of our products, to a higher level, we have set up a robotic cell for automated assembled circuit board testing. The test sequence starts with loading the cell directly from the THT line, which allows for immediate fault detection and eliminates WIP. The robotic cell combines two operations: ICT (In-Circuit Testing) and FT (Functional Testing).
The conveyor belt of the robotic cell is positioned above the existing conveyor belt of the THT line, ensuring a continuous flow of parts and eliminating any part manipulation between operations. The modulari- ty of the first test unit supports in-circuit testing of a variety of PCBA`s, while the quick and easy change of adapters re- duces changeover times. Functional tests are carried out on the existing test devices, which are easily mounted into designated test fixtures and supplied with PCBAs by the robotic cell.
X-ray machine for PCB inspection
The introduction of newer versions of smart meters has increased the complexity of PCBA manufacturing, the number of components that cannot be visually in- spected, and the potential for manufacturing errors. As these are difficult-to-correct defects that are only detected in the final stages of meter manufacturing, they can lead to very high reject or rework costs. Rework and scrap is greatly reduced by the use of an X-ray machine.
The X-ray inspection detects defects in electronic circuits that are hidden from the eye. In the PCB assembly industry, X-ray machines are most commonly used to find defects in solder joints beneath electronic component enclosures, thereby also helping to eliminate faulty parts. The root cause and corrective action (RCCA) analysis carried out in the next step improves the production process further. On the whole, X-ray inspection contributes to higher product quality and greater customer satisfaction and with this new acquisition, Iskraemeco is now able to provide customers with an X-ray inspection service for PCBAs and other products.
PCB depaneling machine
The depaneling machine is used to separate circuit board panels or multi-blocks that contain several boards for easier processing and logistics. Individual circuit boards are connected by bridges. Compared to the traditional depaneling process using separators (routers), the current process is more flexible and reliable in achieving more complex clearances and better quality.
The machine separates the boards using a precision milling head, which results in better repeatability of the cut, less stress in the material, dimensional accuracy and low cutting times. The machine thus helps to optimize the production process for the most demanding PCBA products. By bringing the process in-house, we will reduce manufacturing costs, which is not only beneficial for our company but also for our customers.
Automatic PCBA storage system
Before the automated system was set up, the operator manually sorted the PCBAs according to the technological process. This presented a challenge, as manual handling of the boards could lead to damage that could only be detected later in the testing process. An investment in an automated PCBA storage system removed the challenge of manual handling and mechanical defects and helped to increase product quality. In addition, the new investment, together with the 3D AOI (Automatic Optical Inspection) machine for inspecting the joints between electronic components will automatically store the boards in conveyor and separate the bad from the good pieces.
Automatic laser cell for marking communication module housings
At Iskraemeco, we are aware that continuous improvement of technological equipment is the key to success, and we are gradually replacing and upgrading traditional laser technology systems (CO2 lasers). The purchase of an automatic laser marking machine thus contributes to our vision of more automated production and strengthens the competitiveness of the company.
The new automatic laser module marking cell consists of a conveyor belt, a buffer and a replaceable vibrating drum for correct orientation and feeding of the products to the marking point, collectively delivering two hours of full machine autonomy. And with an advanced diode laser and 100% automatic quality check, the cell ensures that every product is marked as quickly and as accurately as possible.
