Second generation C5 from Contax cost-effective high throughput placement system

Citation

(2009), "Second generation C5 from Contax cost-effective high throughput placement system", Soldering & Surface Mount Technology, Vol. 21 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/ssmt.2009.21921aad.005

Second generation C5 from Contax cost-effective high throughput placement system

Article Type: New products From: Soldering & Surface Mount Technology, Volume 21, Issue 1

Production automation system specialist, Contax Ltd, has announced the second generation of Contact Systems’ C5 pick and place machines (Figure 3). Building on the success of the first C5, the new series is available in ten different models, so ensuring the precise configuration to meet the user’s requirements.

Figure 3 The next generation pick and place machines in the Contax C5 range

The C5 is a robust platform offering intelligence, flexibility and ease of use. It offers fast changeover speeds with very low maintenance costs. This results in a high production throughput, so making it ideally suited to small and medium sized CEMs.

Specific features include:

Linear drive

Offering the latest features and capabilities, the C5 is the most cost effective linear drive placement solution available. By selecting linear drive technology over traditional belt or lead screw drive, users remove the need for costly maintenance, and ensure the highest levels of reliability.

Feeders

In addition to offering options of 128, 192 and 256 feeders, all the C5 feeders are electronic. They also have a “feeders anywhere” capability, so that they can be changed whilst the machine is running, and placed in any position. The machine then optimises itself automatically.

The C5 uses air track stick feeders, so there is no vibration and greater accuracy with component pick and placement. This ensures that the machine is extremely reliable and efficient.

Finally, feeders over 12 mm are adjustable for different tape widths up to 56 mm, so ensuring maximum flexibility of use.

Matrix/waffle trays

These are internally mounted so there is no loss of feeder capacity.

Upward looking camera

The upward looking camera has a large field of view which enables a single snap shot of all components held on each of the head spindles.

Software

The C5 features a comprehensive software system that ensures that the machine is easy to use and requires minimal training.

The C5 comes in 10 different models, including single or dual beam. The single beam version, the C5, is available with either 4 or 8 spindles per head, and with either 128 or 192 × 8 mm feeders. There is also the option of manual loading or a pass-through machine with an internal conveyor.

The dual beam version, C5d, is a pass-through machine, with 8 spindles per head and offering either 128 or 256 × 8 mm feeders.

“The C5 is exceptionally well designed,” commented Bob Thornton, Director of PCB Division at Contax Ltd “The tape feeder banks are located each side of the system. This enables one feeder bank to be ‘live’ producing product whilst the other side of the machine is being set up with the next set of feeders and components ready for the following production run. The system also features multiple, simultaneous, component pick-up for greater flexibility and speed,” he added.

“The C5’s flexibility and intelligence, and its feeder system, provide exceptionally high up-time and overall production throughput. When all factors are taken into account, the cost per placement is often one of the lowest, making this a very attractive proposition for CEMs,” he finished.