Molex ensures positioning accuracy of miniature parts with FUJI NXT series pick-and-place machines

Efficiency and quality in production due to precision in placement as well as simplified maintenance processes of placement heads and nozzles

Kelsterbach, July 21, 2021 – Molex CVS Dabendorf GmbH has decided to use the NXT III placement machine from FUJI EUROPE CORPORATION GmbH (www.fuji-euro.de). With the modular and scalable placement platform, the company, which is specialized in the development and production of electronic components and solutions, achieves high positioning accuracy and efficiency as well as simplified maintenance processes.

Molex’s electronic products are used, for example, in smartphones, household appliances and connected cars. The Molex CVS Dabendorf GmbH branch manufactures components for the automotive industry, among others. The NXT III from FUJI is used at this site for the placement of very small parts as part of the placement process.

“The automotive sector in particular is highly sensitive. The smallest parts used in mass production must have extreme positioning accuracy and high consistent quality. To meet these challenges, we use the NXT III placement machine, the Smart Nozzle Cleaner and the Auto Head Cleaner from FUJI EUROPE CORPORATION,” explains Joost Voskamp, Dabendorf Maintenance Technician at Molex CVS Dabendorf GmbH.

Speed in placement as well as positioning accuracy

The modular and scalable NXT III placement platform is particularly suitable for the placement of multifunctional and highperformance electronics with, for example, high placement density of tiny components and much more. NXT III is designed for high productivity, placement quality, ease of use and speed – and this with very high flexibility due to its modular design. All this makes it very easy to adapt the machine size and configuration to the current requirements. Accordingly, fast XY robots and feeders are used.

Automated head maintenance

FUJI’s original compact, lightweight placement heads can be replaced on the NXT III without tools. On-site operators can perform offline maintenance and troubleshoot problems.

Molex CVS Dabendorf GmbH also uses the Auto Head Cleaner from FUJI. This tool automates and intensifies head maintenance work, where manual execution, especially for the placement heads used for the smallest chip components, cannot keep up with the extended possibilities offered by the Auto Head Cleaner. The use of the Auto Head Cleaner provides a significant quality improvement in head maintenance. It thoroughly removes any dirt that has been gathered in the airways of the heads and also performs a subsequent inspection. The maintenance history and inspection results are automatically stored in the system.

Joost Voskamp explains: “The new maintenance processes for the highperformance placement heads and nozzles enable us to maintain and operate our machines in parallel, so we can keep production running at all times. The machines enable the placement heads and nozzles to be replaced without great effort. We are also impressed by the modularity of the NXT. We can keep the placement output per square meter very high despite the limited space in our production hall. In addition, the system is designed for the future and can be flexibly expanded.”

Simplest nozzle cleaning and inspection

“Regular cleaning of the nozzles is also essential for a smooth process and corresponding placement quality. This is why Molex uses the Smart Nozzle Cleaner from FUJI,” explains Steffen Enderlein, Area Sales Manager at FUJI EUROPE CORPORATION GmbH.

The Smart Nozzle Cleaner not only cleans the nozzles, but also performs an inspection of the nozzle suction surface and a test of the smooth running of the nozzles with springs. Defective nozzles are sorted out separately according to the result. All this is done fully automatically. The operator simply places the nozzle station with the nozzles to be cleaned in the Smart Nozzle Cleaner – complete as removed from the pick-and-place machine without tools – and starts the cleaning program. By using additional nozzle stations, this process takes place offline while the pick-and-place machine is producing.

The maintenance history and inspection results are automatically stored in the system. In addition, the Smart Nozzle Cleaner offers the possibility to store and manage cleaned nozzles inside the unit and also to use them for new setups.