FUJI EUROPE CORPORATION at productronica: First placement platform for automated feeder changeover

Kelsterbach, October 06, 2021 – FUJI EUROPE CORPORATION GmbH (www.fuji-euro.de), specialist for eletronic placement machines, will present at „productronica 2021“ the industry‘s first placement platform that automates the feeder change process. In addition, the company will be showing further solutions for autonomous and flexible manufacturing at the trade fair in Munich (November 16-19) in Hall A3 at Booth 317. Among other things, these solutions support the optimization and automation of maintenance and changeover processes.

FUJI EUROPE CORPORATION GmbH is a leading international machine supplier specialized, among others, in electronic placement machines. The company covers all areas of modern production – from highly flexible placement systems in high-mix to complete placement lines in high-volume.

In this, FUJI focuses on labor-saving and quality-assuring solutions for placement processes in smart factories. The goals include: zero placement errors, zero machine stops, and autonomous and operator-free work. The SMT platform NXTR was designed in accordance with these requirements. NXTR is used for step-by-step automation and digitalization in electronics manufacturing and is now available in various expansion stages, such as the new NXTR-A, which will be presented at „productronica 2021“.

„With the NXTR-A model, we are bringing a revolution to the market. This is because it is the first machine of its kind in the industry to be equipped with an automatic feeder exchange system. This frees the operator from setup changes and re-supply work, leading to higher productivity. It also offers advanced features to maintain high quality,“ explains Stefan Janssen, member of the management board of FUJI EUROPE CORPORATION GmbH.

NXTR-A reduces machine stops during placement

The new developments launched with the NXTR-A model are the cassette feeders, which holds the reels, and the Smart Loader, which distributes the reels. „Machine operators no longer have to replace and resupply parts, which is the most time-consuming work on the line – because more than 50 percent of the short stops during the placement process are due to splicing errors and waiting for parts to be delivered. NXTR automatically detects when parts are running out and the Smart Loader delivers the required parts before they run out, based on calculations in the system,“ explains Stefan Janssen.

Also new in the course of increasing automation is the NXTR-PM printer. It makes it possible to change the cleaning paper and feed the solder without interrupting production. Until now, these were the main causes of production interruptions in the printing process.

Focus on automation and flexibility in the placement process

In addition, FUJI will be demonstrating at productronica the advantages of the Nexim software system in terms of reliable planning and changeover processes, flexible data management and quality. One of the features rounding off the automation processes is autonomous maintenance tools.

FUJI is thus able to offer customers integrated solutions from a single source, including full service for the entire material flow – from incoming parts to storage systems to pick-and-place machines. Another important component is the „Intelligent Storage Systems/sTower-Various Series“. These warehouse logistics systems are used for the automatic supply of SMT production and ensure short distances.

Klaus Gross, Managing Director of FUJI EUROPE CORPORATION GmbH, explains: „Efficiency and quality in the assembly process are global challenges that we as FUJI EUROPE have been facing for 30 years now. On our 30th anniversary, which we are celebrating in time with productronica, the requirements of medium-sized companies as well as corporate groups for automation, digitalization and flexibilization of processes in favor of the smart factory are in the foreground. We will be demonstrating this exemplarily at the exhibition.“