FUJI EUROPE CORPORATION launches Manual Mode, the first stage of the NXTR smart factory platform
Hohes Einsparpotenzial durch Optimierung der bereits in der Nutzung befindlichen Feeder und Ermöglichung eines bestmöglichen Durchsatzes
FUJI EUROPE CORPORATION launches Manual Mode, the first stage of the NXTR smart factory platform
11th March 2020 The FUJI EUROPE CORPORATION presents the Manual Mode as the first step in the development of its NXTR. NXTR is a smart factory platform for step-by-step automation and digitization in electronics manufacturing. Solutions for automated, efficient workflows – especially for repeating tasks – are a significant element in Industry 4.0. NXTR aims at the optimization of production preparation and maintenance processes as well as the automation of manual assembly processes for networking and self-optimized production. The “Manual Mode” focuses on the optimization of feeders already in use and is the basis for the best possible throughput.
“The digitalization of processes is on the top of the agenda for many companies in the electronics manufacturing industry. However, Industry 4.0 is not available “off the shelf” but requires gradual implementation. There is no turnkey solution for Industry 4.0. If you start small, you can automate step-by-step, in order to produce self-optimized and autonomously later on. All buttons that no longer need to be pressed on the line are relieved. Those responsible should therefore ask themselves the question which processes can be automated relatively easily in order to achieve a good result quickly,” explains Stefan Janssen, Assistant General Manager of FUJI EUROPE CORPORATION GmbH.
Manual Mode as first level of expansion of the NXTR
The Manual Mode is the first step in the evolution of NXTR. It is based on new Multi Feeder Units, which facilitate and optimize the feeder operation. The Manual Mode uses the feeders that are currently already in use by customers of FUJI EUROPE CORPORATION GmbH. This has the advantage that there is no need to change the feeder generation, which results in a high savings potential.
This is made possible by the new MFU-47 and MFU-52 Multi Feeder Units, which allow the simultaneous pick-up of two components and thus achieve optimum throughput. When using the MFU-52, the use of only one pick-up position reduces the placement capacity only slightly, but the feeders that can be used simultaneously on one module are increased by 11 percent. The MFU makes handling noticeably easier. It is a unit that does not consist of two separate parts – the feeder pallet and the pallet change unit. This makes it fundamentally different from previous generations.
The „3 Zero“-Concept
The Manual Mode is the launch of the Smart Factory platform NXTR. It was designed by FUJI as a further development of the proven NXT series (scalable placement platform) and is designed to free the operator from repetitive tasks – with maximum quality and productivity. The NXTR follows the “3 Zero” strategy: zero placement errors, zero machine operators, zero machine stops.
These advantages are mainly achieved by the following developments: With a newly developed sensor technology, a stable and high quality placement can be guaranteed. The NXTR platform completely automates the feeder exchange process for the first time. Placement heads and other units can be exchanged without tools. Foresighted maintenance is made possible by a self-diagnosis system that prevents sudden machine stops from affecting the production schedule.
“The primary goal in electronics production is to completely avoid placement errors and machine stops and to enable more efficient and independent work. The goals of our NXTR are extensive simplifications in the working environment, more efficient production, and increased work safety. With the Manual Mode we are taking the first step in this direction”, explains Stefan Janssen.
