Thanks for asking.  We design and build our own products and I would 
consider us a "medium volume" manufacturer.  Our production runs are 
typically low volume with less than 250 assemblies in each run and each 
assembly typically having 15-50 parts each.  Changeover and setup is our 
biggest problem.  Smallest components to date are 0603 and no BGAs or fine 
pitch parts.
Lenny ERG  www.ergpower.com


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Gervascio, Thomas" <[log in to unmask]>
To: "TechNet E-Mail Forum" <[log in to unmask]>; <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, April 01, 2008 3:13 PM
Subject: RE: [TN] Pcik-n-place equipment



Important to consider your business- are you a high volume, low mix shop
or a high mix, low volume shop. I have experience with Siemens SiPlace,
Fuji CP-643 and IP-2 , Universal GSM and HSP and MyData MY9 and MY19.
All of them are solid machines- never had any Panasonic data. We're in a
high mix enviroment and we spend more time kitting and setting up jobs
than actually running them. So raw placement time is not the driver for
us. I like the MyData MY series for several reasons- easy to reprogram
trays and tape, AutoTeach makes setting up a new component very easy- no
messing around with data sheets,  if you have insufficient feeder slots
for a given board you can run the board with the available feeders and
the machine will place what parts it has available (the machine will
then stop) and then reload the rest of the feeders and continue the same
board. Also we have to use component traceability for date code and
batch numbers and their MyLabel system fits the bill nicely for us. Like
the Agilis feeders also.

Main things to look at are easy of programming, repeatability and
accuracy (01005 components, microBGA- chipscale, long SMT connectors
(longer than 50mm in length), control over accelerations (table and
gantry accelerations- comes in handy with high profile SMT devices with
small leads like inductors), installed base of machines and availability
of tech support and parts, etc.

Tom

-----Original Message-----
From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Lenny Carter
Sent: Tuesday, April 01, 2008 2:48 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [TN] Pcik-n-place equipment

Howdy again.  We currently own 2 Essemtec pick-n-place machines and are
growing and may need to add another line or replace one of the 2 we
have.  My only experience is with these 2 Essemtec machines ( CLM9000 &
FLX2020).  A couple of our users are familiar with Universal, Hitachi,
Fuji, and Panasonic machines and have made recommendations to go with
them instead.  knowing little about any other equipment- I am asking for
input here.
What is the general consensus with pick and place machine manufacturers?
who builds "the standard", and who builds junk?  who would you recommend
we consider? and who would you recommend we avoid?
Has anyone else had experience with Essemtec pick and place equipment?
how do they compare?
Thanks in advance.
Lenny Carter
Design Engineer
ERG, Inc.
ph (607) 754-9187 x3063
www.ergpower.com

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