Flex Connections: Material Selection in Nickel vs. Copper Tabs
Flex Connections: Four Lessons in Engineering Judgment for PCB Designers
Flexible Thinking: ‘Let There Be Light’–Emitting Diodes!
After almost four decades designing and manufacturing automation equipment for the PCB industry, Techno System is proud to introduce the new ECO and ECO BOX platform, a revolutionary loading, unloading and buffering solution that brings together the experience, feedback and operational requirements gathered from PCB manufacturers across Europe and North America.
The new ECO platform has been specifically designed to address the realities of small and medium-sized PCB manufacturers, where high-mix production environments demand exceptional flexibility, reliability and efficient use of factory space.
Today's PCB manufacturers process an increasingly diverse range of materials. Production lines must handle everything from thick multilayer panels to ultra-thin cores, as well as the delicate polyimide substrates used in rigid-flex and flex PCB manufacturing. These materials present significant handling challenges and require automation systems capable of adapting quickly without compromising yield or product integrity.
At the same time, most PCB factories face a common challenge: lack of available floor space. In many facilities, the installation of traditional automation systems is simply impossible due to space constraints.
The ECO platform was conceived to solve both challenges.
Designed with an installation footprint of only one meter, ECO incorporates a highly versatile architecture that allows manufacturers to operate with maximum flexibility while consuming minimal production space. L-Racks and ECO BOX containers are accessed from the side of the machine, significantly reducing the space required compared to conventional systems.
One of the platform's most innovative features is its ability to operate with two L-Rack stations. The system can automatically switch between racks without stopping production, enabling true Hot Swap operation. This allows continuous loading and unloading without interrupting the process.
Manufacturers can also configure the system in multiple ways according to production requirements:
• Dual L-Rack operation for continuous loading and unloading.
• One L-Rack for panel handling and the second rack for separator sheets.
• Combination of L-Racks and Horizontal Boxes containers.
• Dedicated ECO BOX operation for ultra-thin materials and flexible polyimide substrates included Polyamide inner layers taped to rigid leaders ( very common in the Industry)
• Buffering and transfer functions between process lines.
The transition between operating modes is performed directly from the touchscreen interface, allowing operators to adapt the machine configuration within seconds.
The ECO &ECO BOX can also be installed between two wet process lines, providing the capability to automatically remove panels from a production line or insert them when required. This flexibility allows manufacturers to optimize line balancing and increase overall plant efficiency.
At the heart of the ECO & ECO BOX platform is a 6-axis FANUC robot combined with an intelligent automatic gripper system capable of adapting to panel formats ranging from 305 mm to 530 mm completely automatically. Every panel is measured as it enters the conveyor, enabling the system to adjust gripping parameters without operator intervention.
Ease of installation was another key design objective.
The ECO platform has been developed as a true Plug & Play solution. Customer maintenance teams can install and commission the equipment without the need for specialized technicians, significantly reducing deployment costs and installation times.
Furthermore, all machine functions can be remotely monitored, diagnosed and supported through Techno System's advanced simulation and remote service infrastructure. This capability enables rapid troubleshooting, software updates and technical assistance from anywhere in the world.
The ECO and ECO BOX platform represents a major step forward for PCB factory automation. It is the result of 40 years of accumulated knowledge, customer collaboration and continuous innovation.
More than a new machine, ECO & ECO BOX is a complete automation concept designed to provide flexibility, space optimization and future-proof manufacturing capabilities for the next generation of PCB factories.
Techno System continues its commitment to delivering practical innovation, advanced automation and engineering excellence to the global PCB industry.
