KATEK chooses Smart Factory platform NXTR-S from FUJI EUROPE CORPORATION

Electronics service provider aims for best possible throughput and high quality through optimized processes

Kelsterbach, March 9, 2021 – The EMS service provider KATEK GmbH has chosen to implement the NXTR-S smart factory platform from FUJI EUROPE CORPORATION GmbH (www.fuji-euro.de) at its Grassau site. FUJI is an internationally active specialist for electronics placement machines and offers with NXTR a platform that serves the step-by-step automation and digitalization in electronics manufacturing. NXTR-S aims to optimize the feeders already in use and is the basis for the best possible throughput. By using the smart factory solution, KATEK is focusing on high productivity and quality through optimized and digitized processes.

KATEK GmbH is one of the largest electronics service providers (EMS) in Germany. At the production sites in Grassau and Györ (Hungary), highly automated large-scale production orders, among other things, can be carried out on the basis of all common certifications. The company relies on process automation in various areas for the benefit of efficiency and high quality. For this reason, KATEK GmbH has decided to install the NXTR-S smart factory platform from FUJI EUROPE CORPORATION at its Grassau site.

Designed by FUJI as an evolution of the proven NXT series (scalable placement platform), the NXTR is designed to free operators from repetitive tasks – while maximizing quality and productivity. The NXTR follows the “3 Zero” strategy: zero placement errors, zero machine operators, zero machine stops.

High savings potential through optimization of existing feeders

The NXTR-S is the first expansion stage of the Smart Factory platform. It relies on new Multi Feeder Units that facilitate and optimize feeder operation. The Manual Mode uses the feeders that are currently already in use at customers of FUJI EUROPE CORPORATION GmbH. This has the advantage that no generation change of feeders is required, resulting in a high savings potential.

In addition to the unique features that mark the FUJI products NXTR-S and also NXTIII – such as the one-side operation, exchangeable heads and much more – the following features in particular tipped the scales in favor of the NXTR-S:

  • Increase in productivity due to better exchangeable MFU 52
  • Number of feeder slots on NXTR-S is higher than on NXTIII
  • Larger PCB size
  • Compatibility of existing NXTIII feeder
  • Part presence control and touchdown sensor
  • Expectation of higher quality and more productivity on NXTR-S compared to NXTIII
  • LCU features (remote control, self-diagnostic function, response to network problems, and more)

The solution will be installed at KATEK in spring 2021.

“Our Smart Factory platform NXTR-S is in constant development and our goal is to modify it to NXTR-A – meaning an automated solution with Smart Loader – within the next two years. In this way, we are taking further important steps towards the optimization of production preparation and maintenance processes as well as the automation of manual assembly processes in terms of comprehensive networking and self-optimized production,” explains Sascha Frieling, Manager Technology at FUJI EUROPE CORPORATION GmbH.

FUJI EUROPE CORPORATION sees acceleration in innovation for autonomous robotics

FUJI pushes robot development worldwide and participates in fund – German subsidiary promotes automation with “NXTR” placement platform

Kelsterbach, 5th March 2021 – Digitalization in industry has made a strong leap – partly due to the pandemic. In 2021, companies trust artificial intelligence and robotics more and more. FUJI CORPORATION also sees great potential in accelerating innovation for autonomous robotics and is therefore participating in the Smart Innovation Fund (SWIF) through its US subsidiary. The German subsidiary FUJI EUROPE CORPORATION (www.fuji-euro.de ) supports the increasing automation of assembly processes through the NXTR smart factory platform.

FUJI CORPORATION develops technologies that involve advanced sensing, communication, electricity and other infrastructures. The global company’s robot development goes beyond industrial robotics. For example, FUJI CORPORATION is also pushing ahead with the development of autonomous transport robots for the logistics sector.

Innovation leader for autonomous robotics
For example, the US subsidiary FUJI AMERICA CORPORATION recently joined the Smart World Innovation Fund (SWIF), a partnership of leading global technology companies. Motus Ventures’ initiative sees its mission in accelerating innovation for autonomous robotics. The goal is a future where robots are part of everyday life.

Motus Ventures is a early-stage venture capital fund and business accelerator focused on AI, robotics and IoT. The company operates at the intersection of industries and technologies that are strategic to the future of modern civilization, such as industrial manufacturing, transportation, agriculture and telecommunications. In addition to investing in early-stage companies, Motus Ventures also supports spin-outs of established, technology-driven companies that are at the forefront of disruptive innovation. Motus Ventures works together with academic institutes and research facilities for this purpose.

Self-optimized production through intelligent automation
FUJI EUROPE CORPORATION GmbH, an internationally active specialist for electronics assembly machines, is also pushing autonomous processes. With the NXTR smart factory platform, the German branch of FUJI CORPORATION offers a solution for fast automation and digitalization in electronics manufacturing.

Sascha Frieling, Manager Technology at FUJI EUROPE CORPORATION GmbH, explains: “Our goal is to increase the efficiency of the work performed by machines and systems and to relieve the workers. The NXTR scalable placement platform is therefore designed to free operators from repetitive tasks – while maximizing quality and productivity.”

The NXTR follows the “3 Zero” strategy: zero placement errors, zero machine operators, zero machine stops. The Smart Factory platform is being successively expanded with new expansion stages that, for example, further optimize feeders in use to enable the best possible throughput.

Sascha Frieling says: “Our Smart Factory platform NXTR-S is in constant development and our goal is to modify it into the NXTR-A – which means an automated solution with Smart Loader. With this, we are taking further important steps towards optimizing production preparation and maintenance processes as well as automating manual placement assembly processes in terms of full networking and self-optimized production.”