German electronics automation builder revived

ACI-ecotec and Co KG of St Georgen, Germany (formerly 'ecotec ') has recently been re-launched with a new strength of German investment. This new investment is providing a boost of re-development to an existing well understood product range to a substantial customer base including, Siemens, Papst, Sennheiser, Alcatel and many others. In realising the strengths of the company, the existing skill base has been preserved by keeping 95% of its engineers and technicians, skilled and experienced in automated soldering technologies and automated cells and production lines for the electronics industry.

ACI-ecotec also specialise in bespoke 'micro-assembly' machines (for 1-2mm parts or less) and general assembly machines, offering a custom solution to a standard but modular and flexible cell for use as an isolated cell, or as a production line unit that can be configured to the application, or added to existing production lines.

ACI-ecotec have named this system, the 'Multiflex' offering modularity and flexibility.

The advantages include shorter delivery times from a standard cell whilst maintaining the bespoke flexibility to configure the cell to the application and the modularity required to add to existing lines.

An evaluation of the application then provides a concept.

Evaluation Process - How does it work?

Define the application - provide samples and data.

Evaluate the application - from samples and data.

Offer solution to the customer using a standard Multiflex cell configured to the suit the application.

IF 3 = OK - GOTO 4.

ELSE GOTO 3 with revision.

Agree contract.

Configure the 'Multiflex' to the application.

ACI offer a standard cell which if required will adhere to the SMEMA 1.2 standards (SMEMA - Surface Mount Equipment Manufacturers Association (SMEMA 1.2 - Mechanical Equipment Interface Standards).

The base plate inside the cell is machined to suit either a semi-automatic or fully-automatic loading system and employs an OEM SCARA robot arm providing accurate positioning and repeatability of 0.020mm.

The 4-6 axis robotic arm is able to deal with all automated applications that the 'Multiflex' is offering to provide the following.

* Selective soldering.

* Selective cleaning (using a revolutionary two part carbon dioxide snow jet cleaning system, see CO2 Cleaning below).

* Dispensing of adhesives or other fluids that require a repeatable dosage.

* Mini-wave soldering.

* Bending.

* Assembly.

* Micro-assembly.

* Optical inspection.

You can configure an entire automated production line using Multiflex cells configured to each production step therefore ensuring integration and line support from a single provider, whilst maintaining the option of support direct from a number of agents and OEM suppliers.

Or the unit can be configured as a semi-automatic tool, with two manual I/O ports for maximum throughput.

The Multiflex can be the first building block in a new production line that can be added to later, or added to an existing production line.

* The essence of continued support - ACI-ecotec do not claim to be the lowest cost option that you will find, but they do aim to remain competitive and claim highly dependable continued support from experienced designers, engineers and technicians.

The existing customer base believes this to be the most important cost of all.

* Entrance into the UK - recently Gateway Design, a robotics and automation consultancy and design company based in Devon have signed up to an exclusive UK agency for ACI-ecotec.

Michael Gadd CEng of Gateway Design said: 'We are always looking for new projects, this keeps engineering alive.

I am really looking forward to the future bringing ACI-ecotec and Co KG to the UK.

I have spent much time working with German engineers which in my opinion have some of the best in the world.

Just look around the next time you are driving.

I am looking forward with ACI-ecotec to new challenges, so if you have something that has not been done before, or perhaps you just need to chat about an idea, then I would like to talk to you.'