PRODUCT INNOVATIONS
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IPTE - Pin Insertion Machine
New innovative standards in press-fit technology
The press-fit technique applied in modern electronics assemblies
originates from space technology. Extreme thermal conditions within
satellites and space shuttles such as the very high temperature
differences, as well as vibrations, etc. adversely affected solder
joint quality and made it necessary to switch to other connecting
solutions in order to fulfill the highest reliability and availability
requirements placed on the circuitry. The problem has been resolved by
press-in procedures for inserting component pins into the PCB.
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The application of the press-fit technique has, in the meantime, also
become more popular in the field of sophisticated automotive
electronics. It resolves not only the issue of the severe thermal
conditions for electronics assemblies in vehicles but also of the very
high stress from vibrations and shocks. Furthermore, even the costly
soldering process can be omitted depending on the component type
processed, for example, in the case of components with flexible pins.
But there are, of course, even more advantages.
Due to the growing demand for the press-fit technique of electrical
contacts, IPTE has developed a new machine generation. The PIM (Pin
Insertion Machine) 1000 is designed for different press-fit procedures
at high throughput and is based on a proven concept, already in use in
multiple applications. The press-fit contacts are supplied to the
machine cutting unit in the form of a metal ribbon from reels, and
after the cutting step the insertion head picks the single pieces up.
The PCB, located on an XY-cross table, is positioned precisely under
the insertion head for the following procedure in a parallel action
which then provides the press-fit step.
The modular PIM 1000 machine features high process performance through
its curvilinear controlled insertion head, which can deal with up to
eight contacts/second depending on the contact type. Other significant
user benefits are:
- The compact machine has just a small footprint
- Not only “plain” pins can be inserted but also box-shaped contacts
- Each machine can operate with two different insertion heads (so for normal press-fit or box-shaped contacts)
- The insertion heads can be easily removed for trouble-free maintenance
- The
contact feeding mechanism can be supplied as a “Zero Exchange
System”: if one reel is empty then the other full one will be
used automatically without delay. The empty reel can then be exchanged
later during normal machine operation. The results are a higher degree
of autonomy (unattended operation), and there is no break in the
production flow since an immediate exchange of the reel is not
necessary.
- Automated feeding of contact strips - loaded
contact strips need not be laboriously brought in by hand but feed
automatically into the insertion head
- The insertion procedure can be provided being exactly controlled in the insertion force for an efficient process monitoring
- Programmable insertion angles for each single contact allow for non-orthogonal insertion positions
- The
PCB support can be supplied in the form of an anvil-type tool or as
plate covering the entire surface according to customers’
requirements
- In addition to the working conveyor track a feedback conveyor trail can be integrated too
- Contact strips can be processed with and without ribbon waste
- The continuously variable insertion speed maintains a flexible adjustment to multiple insertion tasks
- The quick-exchange gripper system is especially important for fast and efficient service and maintenance tasks
- The cutting tool is designed in the form of a modular cartridge and is externally pre-adjustable
- The
high-dynamic XY-cross table for positioning the PCB under the machine
head allows the flexible completion of insertion tasks with high
performance
- The central lubrication of the insertion head minimizes maintenance efforts
A major manufacturer of electronic products containing press-fit type
PCBs has decided to invest in a considerable IPTE production line
equipped with PIM 1000 machines. One especially important consideration
for the capex was the high modularity and flexibility of the PIM 1000
which would enable the customer to also manufacture future products in
this growing market.
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