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Automation is everywhere, and nowhere is that more evident than the machines from Schmoll used in the new captive facility for Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories. Schmoll Maschinen GmbH Executive Director Stephan Kunz, and Evan Howard, service manager for Schmoll products, Burkle North America, discuss how their machines are perfectly suited for SEL’s production lines.
Nolan Johnson: Evan and Stephan, what Schmoll equipment did Schweitzer install in its new facility?
Stephan Kunz: Schweitzer decided on fully automated direct imaging for inner layer. We have the inner layer punch, and an X-ray target driller, including traceability functions by wave. After that, we have drilling machines, routing machines, and outer layer imaging. We also installed professional measuring equipment.
Evan Howard: The two MDI machines are our TTG model. This is a tandem table machine with automation arms. With the design of the open tables, automation arms are easily installed, whether they're provided by us or another company. The machine uses tandem tables to allow registration on one table, while exposing on the other. This creates a very streamlined process in an automated environment like Schweitzer. We achieve cycle times of less than 10 seconds, which is quite impressive.
Johnson: What are the advantages that Schmoll brings to a new production line project?
Kunz: Schmoll has a lot of experience in automated processes which are common in Europe, and more of those will be seen in America. When you look at all the processes, including X-ray, it's fully automated. Obviously, you need a certain quality, which we have.
With direct imaging, routing, and drilling, automation is adapted perfectly to these machines. The same applies to punch and X-ray, as well as drilling machines to routing machines, and outer layer imaging. On each individual piece, we do everything to deliver a high productivity machine. We have more than 500 machines with automation that have been installed in Europe.
To read the rest of this interview, which appeared in the September 2023 issue of PCB007 Magazine, click here.
