Juki and Saline Lectronics Again Partner for Success
SALINE LECTRONICS ADDS A JUKI CHIP SHOOTER SYSTEM TO ITS PRODUCTION LINE TO INCREASE SPEED. THE PURCHASE CONTINUES THE RELATIONSHIP THAT BEGAN FIVE YEARS AGO BETWEEN THE COMPANIES.
Founded in 2002, Saline Lectronics, Inc. is a PCB assembly house located in Saline, MI that provides the latest in through-hole technology (THT), SMT, BGA and microBGA capability, in addition to mixed-technology assemblies. The company specializes in manufacturing mid-volume, high-mix electronics printed circuit board assemblies. In addition to its knowledge of PCB assembly manufacturing, Saline’s other strengths include electromechanical design, DFMA, project engineering and outsourcing. From management to customer service and production teams, the company’s goal is to deliver the highest quality circuit board assemblies on time, within budget and with the best customer service possible.
As a contract manufacturer, Saline provides electronics manufacturing services including contract design supporting DFX for manufacturing, assembly and test to manufacturing technologies, circuit board testing and product assembly (box builds).
Headquartered in Southeast Michigan, Saline is based out of a state-of-the-art 60,000 sq. ft. static-controlled facility that offers the technology to deliver prompt assembly of mid- to high-complexity PCBs, including prototype and production quantities. “We are known for our superior service, available inventory and versatility in responding to the most challenging requirements,” said Mario Sciberras, President of Saline Lectronics.
The company specializes in new product introduction for volume production. Its technical capabilities include multiple, linked continuous flow production lines, dedicated aqueous and no-clean solder chemistry, potting and conformal coating, and final product assembly (box builds). Saline Lectronics also is able to meet the most demanding project requirements for circuit card assembly. Whether it assembles a product with BGA, microBGA, surface mount or THT, it works closely with customers to ensure 100 percent satisfaction.
Saline Lectronics currently has four Juki surface mount lines for SMT PCB assembly. With a large stock of feeders, it is able to stay flexible by having jobs queued ahead and adapts to various customers’ ever-changing needs.
In order to remain flexible and able to meet customers’ needs, Saline purchased a Juki FX-3 XL on August 30, 2010. This system, which will be added to one of Saline’s Juki lines, is a high-speed modular chip shooter that delivers high productivity and cost performance. Introduced earlier this year, the XL model of the FX-3 is capable of handling 22 x 24″ boards – the largest size for Juki to date. The FX-3 XL will be functional in the Saline Lectronics facility by mid-September. “We purchased it at the end of August and want to get it up and running as soon as possible,” said Sciberras.
“We have six other Juki systems on the floor,” Sciberras continued. “Juki has consistently provided fantastic, reliable equipment. We wanted to continue with that brand. So when we needed more speed to help us meet our increased demand, we contacted Juki. The FX-3 XL is a good acquisition.”
Dave Trail, President of Horizon Sales, Juki’s representative throughout Michigan, Ohio and Western Pennsylvania, said, “No EMS supplier in Southeast Michigan has the capacity that Saline now has with the addition of this high-speed chip shooter.” Dave facilitated the purchase of the FX-3 XL.
The FX-3 XL provides an upgrade in speed for Saline Lectronics – from 15,000 cph to 60,000 cph.
“Juki is thrilled that Saline Lectronics is expanding. The additional volume of the FX-3 XL will put Saline into a new category of EMS suppliers in PCB assembly,” said Bob Black, president and CEO of Juki Corp.
The FX-3 XL features two placement stations, each with two head beams. In each placement station the two heads are arranged in front of and behind each other, alternately carrying out component picking and placement. The four high-speed assembly heads each support six nozzles, giving the FX-3 XL a total of 24 nozzles. The component placement range on the FX-3 XL is from 01005 (0402 metric) through to 33.5 mm sq. Each head is driven by an overhead X-Y dual gantry positioning system with closed-loop independent linear servomotors and magnetic linear encoders. The Y beam has dual synchronized linear motors for each station, both left and right. Each nozzle is controlled with independent Z and Theta AC servomotors featuring new encoders that have a resolution of 260,000 pulses per revolution and that contribute to extremely high precision, reliability, and accuracy. Precise control of each nozzle is possible without affecting other nozzles. This helps improve machine uptime as well as time between repairs. The design offers highly efficient operation, resulting in a placement rate of 60,000 components per hour (cph) (0.06 sec/chip), according to the IPC9850 standard.
Black added, “The speed and capable board size of the FX-3 XL chip shooter adds a new dimension to our product offerings and gives us the opportunity to introduce Juki into new markets at a very aggressive price point that we feel will be very attractive to EMS companies like Saline Lectronics that are looking to maximize their resources. Our strengths of high quality, reliability and outstanding service are recognized worldwide and are the leading factors of our success. We feel strongly that if people take the time to try our machines, they will find that the systems will sell themselves when put to the test.”
Juki machines are quick and easy to maintain, and the FX-3 XL is no different. It requires only minutes every month to keep the FX-3 XL running in top form. Annual preventive maintenance can be performed in a matter of hours. Additionally, Juki offers a full three-year parts and one-year labor warranty on all machines sold in the Americas and Europe, even if they are in production seven days a weeks/24 hours a day.
Saline Lectronics purchased its first Juki system in 2008 and has acquired five more since that time. “I believed in Juki’s “Low Cost of Ownership” slogan as far as how it purports itself. That, in addition to reliability, high quality and strong customer service, led to the opportunity to first bring in Juki’s equipment – and it worked. The company and its technology were a good fit with Saline and our goals. Since that first purchase, we’ve continued building our relationship with Juki,” concluded Sciberras.
For more information about Saline Lectronics, Inc., contact us.
More About Saline Lectronics
Saline Lectronics quality processes have been recognized with several certifications this year: they have earned ISO Medical Products certification (ISO:13485:2003), International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) registration, and they recently earned the AS9100:2004 Aerospace Standard.
