Essemtec Builds Printer For 180x50cm

24th February 2011

Essemtec AG

Nat Bowers

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Essemtec will build a production line for LED tubular lamps that will replace the common fluorescent lamps. Essemtec's innovation, a 180x50cm printing system will enable the full automatic, inline production of such lamps.

In the near future, fluorescence lamps can be replaced by LED tubular lamps. Until now, the fully automatic manufacturing of such lamps was not possible because of limitations of the available inline printing systems. Essemtec, the Swiss manufacturer of production systems, will now develops an automatic production line for such products.

The line consists of a large-format printing system, multiple pick-and-place machines and a curing or reflow system. The line can produce all lengths of LED tube lamps up to 180cm.

The inline screen/stencil printer ― invented by Essemtec ― has a printable area of 180x50cm that allows a panel for multiple 180cm tubes to be printed in one run. The machine loads and prints PCBs fully automatically and forwards them to the pick-and-place system. The inline conveyor system is designed to transport heavy aluminium-based PCB commonly used for LED products.

One or more pick-and-place machines are installed inline to mount LEDs and other electronic components onto the PCB. The number of machines only depends on the desired line throughput. The MIS software, a development of Essemtec, automatically balances the work load over multiple machines to get maximum line output. MIS (Management Information System) has other functions, too, such as quality assurance, consumption and stock management, and the storage of production data for traceability.

For curing and soldering of the components onto the PCB, a high-performance reflow or curing system is installed inline. The oven is optimized for the unique needs of large and heavy boards and provides constant process conditions at every position.

The entire line can be customized. For example, it can be completed with handling and inspection modules. For ESD or moisture-sensitive components it is recommended to use the Tower automatic preservation system. Therein such components can be stored even without protective packaging. Essemtec delivers a turnkey production line trimmed to the customer's requirements.