C.R. International Inc. Expands Capability with ASM’s E by SIPLACE Platform

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Continuing to lead in the North American mid-speed placement sector, ASM’s E by SIPLACE was again selected over competitive systems for its flexibility and expansive range of high-performance features. C.R. International Inc. (CRI), a long-time SIPLACE customer and trusted Mil/Aero EMS provider, cited the platform’s 01005 component placement capability, changeover simplicity and real-time component teach function as top factors in its E by SIPLACE investment decision.

CRI’s success with complex, high-reliability assemblies has earned the company a reputation as a trusted, knowledgeable partner for customers requiring IPC Class 3 assemblies, which are defined as products where continued high performance or performance on-demand in harsh environments is required. These applications represent close to 95% of the Laurel, MD-based EMS’ business, which includes PCB assemblies for satellites, space flight systems and, more recently, full flight products. As a high-mix, low-volume NPI and prototype specialist, CRI’s equipment set has to be flexible for a variety of product parameters, facilitate off-line set-ups for quick changeover, and be able to accommodate exceptionally challenging, high-technology board builds.

“I’ve been a SIPLACE user for over 30 years,” shares CRI President, Jeff Neisess. “With our recent qualification for full flight systems, it was imperative that we add next-generation placement technology that aligned with our financial and quality objectives. Given our product mix, we knew we needed an extraordinarily flexible system and other suppliers simply could not deliver. E by SIPLACE ticked all the boxes.”

Possessing many of the advanced technologies inherent with ASM’s high-volume SIPLACE systems, E by SIPLACE also comes at a price point that addresses the mid-speed, high-mix market’s operational realities.  Ideal for manufacturers like CRI, where multi-product, high-complexity, frequent-changeover protocols are the norm, E by SIPLACE is a single gantry system that can be configured with a variety of placement heads to align with dynamic environments. The CRI system leverages the SIPLACE CP12/PP combination head, delivering placement accuracy of 30 µm on a broad component spectrum – from 01005s up to parts as large as 45 mm x 87.5 mm. Feeder capacity in a high-mix environment is another key consideration and E by SIPLACE’s 120-slot, intelligent feeder technology and offline component tables allows for multiple job set-ups and simple, fast changeover. These features, in addition to programming software ease-of-use, bring CRI’s productivity and future technology capability to a new level.