The first UK CEM to invest in MYDATA's new range of high volume solder jet printers.

The first UK CEM to invest in MYCRONIC's new range of high volume solder jet printers.

---

A second solder jet printer has now been ordered for our surface mount facility in Aldershot Hampshire, with installation in August 14.

MY600 High Speed Jet Printer arriving August 14

....way back in 2008 Gemini Tec were the first UK based CEM to invest into solder jet printing technology, and now we are the first UK CEM to introduce the latest edition of printers, the MY600. 

MYCRONIC's MY600 is the next generation of solder jet printers and has been designed to suit higher volume surface mount assembly applications.
This next-generation Jet Printer now enables Gemini to achieve optimal solder joints with a 50% increase in throughput, against our current jet printer.  The introduction of this high-performance platform will allow new production capacity for customers who are struggling to mount difficult components using classic screen printers.

With the increasing demand for higher volume applications from its customer base, the MY600 overcomes many of the speed limitations, and still provides optimal assembly for flexible substrates, board cavities, package-on-package, QFNs and new components with small process windows.

The use of  solder jet printing has transformed the experiences for all our customers and allowed us to achieve new levels of rapid PCB assembly.  The new MY600 will be used to support higher volume orders and contracts on the same basis.

The new MY600 solder jet printer will operate with its own MYCRONIC 'Synergy' SMT line, comprising of two high speed SMT placement machines, a BTU convection reflow oven and Nutek fully automatic board handling systems.

Company Director Adam Harsant, comments on the latest solder jet printing news.

"This latest investment is an exciting new chapter in the development of our business, we are expanding our entire SMT operation on the back of the demand for high quality and UK manufactured hardware"

"Our customers appreciate the value this technology has provided and we are investing to ensure that we have sufficient capacity for the increase in demand. And with a continued shift from sourcing in 'perceived' low cost centres back towards the UK, we recognise the opportunity to now support higher volume orders with all the advantages that solder jet printing technology provides"

If you would like to know more about how this technology has helped our customers, or discuss a technical demonstration at our facility, please get in touch..

http://www.geminitec.co.uk

Gemini Tec Ltd

1 The Brook Trading Estate

Deadbrook Lane

Aldershot

Hampshire

GU12 4XU

Tel: +44 (0) 1252 333 444

Thanks to DSL, for providing the right industrial PC...

Blog Foreword:

Gemini work closely with DSL, who provide industrial PC's and design and support custom embedded PC's and solutions for a variety of markets. When we needed a technical solution it made complete sense to talk to the experts in this field. We knew we could trust DSL to deliver the right solution and product to enhance our IT requirements for our new MRP system. 

 

Manufacturing Management with Panel PCs

 

DSL were approached by Gemini Tec, a high complexity and fast turnaround CEMS who DSL regularly utilise – so the remit was mutually beneficial.

 

Client Objectives

Our client wished to computerise their production management, achieving the benefits most relevant to them detailed in our recent analysis of what can be achieved.

1. Simplify process and improve accuracy of task clocking in/out times and accessing ERP manufacturing software.
2. Supporting barcode scanners to automatically log production tasks via route cards
3. Locally view work instructions and drawings for manufacturing tasks and deliver messages to operators.
4. Restrict employees undertaking work they are not trained or assigned to complete
5. Using this data, analysing where efficiency improvements can be made.
6. Subsequently, analyse the effect of said efficiency improvements to derive their relative worth.
7. Understand overall efficiency of the migration itself (thus it’s own ROI) and those further improvements it has helped to monitor.
8. A solution that matched the mechanical constraints on site.

The key driver of this concept is of course to improve efficiency for client’s benefit, in terms of cost, yield and speed of manufacture – to increase competitive advantage.

 

Solution 

Based on Gemini Tec’s hardware requirements definition and budgets, DSL identified and supplied a proven industrial Panel PC platform that met their needs in its entirety – the PMX-090T

DSL identified the most appropriate Operating System (WES 2009) and created a pre-installed image which contained the components necessary to achieve GeminiTec’s requirement.
GeminiTec developed the integration software that drove the objectives listed above and finalised the platform such that it was fit for purpose.
Both DSL and Gemini Tec adhere rigidly to the standards set out by ISO 9001:2008 and the continual drive for improvements the standard dictates were driven forwards by this implementation.

 

A word from the happy client…

“DSL’s industrially suited and reliable hardware, combined with our own in house ERP manufacturing software have provided us a solid solution that has not only enabled us to monitor our manufacturing efficiency, but has made contributions itself” – Adam Harsant of Gemini Tec

Embedding the World Cup with goal-line technology

For years, international football association FIFA have heavily resisted technology's influence in soccer, almost comically arguing that bad refereeing decisions are all part of the excitement of the game. FIFA president Sepp Blatter has described goal-line technology as "only 95 percent accurate", though even that level of accuracy – when compared to a human eye, often tens of metres away – is surely a vast improvement?

For technologists, even if this disputable 95 percent figure was to be believed, bridging that 5 percent gap was never a sizeable task. Though in 2008 following that statement, the FIFA president put the implementation of such technology on ice – permanently.

Predictably, subsequently further controversial decisions ensued, though in relatively low-key matches not on the international stage, and in March 2010 an election was held between eight of the founding bodies of soccer – voting 6-2 in favor of permanently ditching the technology, the two dissenters being England and Scotland.

In June that year at the 2010 FIFA World Cup the tide was about to turn, when hundreds of millions of fans across 241 separate countries saw England's Frank Lampard score a goal – the ball clearly over a metre across the line – against Germany, which was disallowed due to human error by the referee. Scoring or missing was a turning point in the 2-1 game, which ended as a 4-1 loss for England. The entire country, quickly followed by immense global support (perhaps bar Germany!), put huge pressure on FIFA, and shortly after Blatter announced that the goal-line technology consideration would be re-opened.

The tech contenders

In 2011 FIFA began internal trials with 10 companies' goal-line technology systems, and by 2012 they whittled this down to two potential candidates: Goal Ref, utilizing a passive "chip-in-ball" and a magnetic field to detect its whereabouts; and Hawk-Eye, utilizing a series of high-resolution cameras and triangulation algorithms.

Both have a very high, though interestingly unpublished, accuracy percentage, but neither could claim 100 percent accuracy as both are fallible to some degree.

A technology based on electromagnetic fields, which is being used at the 2014 World Cup, would be susceptible to interference, though unlikely in the environment; an unscrupulous party could theoretically interfere with its accuracy.

The high-speed-camera-based system, you could argue, is less vulnerable to outside interference, though is reliant on installation accuracy and calibration, having rigorously proven the calculations used to derive the decision.

Additionally, in the 2014 World Cup referees are wearing smartwatches as part of a GoalControl-4D system to alert them to goal-line technology cameras detecting goals. So far in the competition goal-line technology has already caused a share of confusion and controversy in the match between France and Honduras. This wasn't a case of the technology malfunctioning, but the public weren't prepared that the GoalControl system would also show instances where a goal was not scored before the instance where a goal was scored if the ball almost crossed the line multiple times.

Both systems also can't consider the change in shape of a ball when it bounces, for example. The Hawk-Eye system, prior to soccer, has long been employed in snooker (similar to billiards), cricket, and tennis. Bounce distortion in soccer, given we're concerned with it passing a line, not falling short of it, isn't relevant – in tennis however this can be contentious; during the 2008 Wimbledon final, a ball that appeared out was cited as "in" by Hawk-Eye by a single millimeter.

Interestingly, despite no percentage claims of accuracy of the technology, a 3.6 mm error margin is advertised by Hawk-Eye. Whilst this seems minute, it's easy to see why the technology claiming it's "in" by 1 mm becomes disputable. Cricket saw a similar point of contention in 2012, where a Leg Before Wicket (LBW) foul was called despite it visually appearing the ball would have sailed over the stumps, which would negate the call.

Soccer has attempted to address the shortfalls of the technology – well, more the opportunity for it to be disputed – by moving away from the "video replay" style of the other implementations completely with the use of a 3D reproduction of the controversial incident.

Whilst this has the advantage of giving an "undisputable" decision, people are naturally wary of any visual that disagrees with what they "saw" with their own eyes – though optical illusions and magic tricks should easily counter how fallible the human eye is to misinterpretation.

Future uses

The sporting world is truly opening up to the embedded computing industry and is more accepting of new technologies than ever before. Last month I discussed the increasing sports medicine usage of embedded; now I'm sure I've got you thinking about how embedded technology could improve your own favorite sport. Perhaps lasers displaying shot distances and speeds on the pitch, intelligent sporting equipment visually flagging illegal usage – the possibilities are endless!

For more information, contact Rory at rdear@opensystemsmedia.com.

As seen in New Electronics

We are a UK based manufacture with the capability to help customers seeking time critical PCB layout and rapid PCB assembly services.

We are a respected supplier of technology manufacturing for PCB related hardware and have positioned our service help customers design PCBs with Altium layout tools and obtain entry to our rapid delivery PCB assembly facility.

We have been helping customers for over 37 years and conduct a wide range of PCB designs in Altium, including DDR3. applications. We have highly experienced layout engineers and understand the requirements of both the PCB manufacture and PCB assembly. Our experience allows customers to de-risk from both technical and time delays for challenging projects.

Our knowledge base ensures we implement the optimum PCB layout techniques and best practices. We work closely with our customers through the various stages of placement and routing to ensure all the requirements of the design are fully understood and implemented. Including full consideration for signal integrity (SI) and mechanical constraints with the generation of 3D models.

We offer the UK's fastest possible delivery for complex PCB hardware. With over 45 full time staff we have the resources to manufacture over 600 new products a year. Gemini currently manufactures over 90,000 PCB assemblies a year, ranging from rapid delivery prototypes to batch production orders of 10K.

We have made our reputation by providing complex SMT boards, on time critical orders. Our MYDATA surface mount lines can be set up quickly to build small orders from 1 to 50 units, with full capability for BGA and PoP (Package-on-Package) device technology. Even our skilled IPC technicians can hand solder devices at 0201 package sizes!

What makes us different ?
Our rapid SMT service offers unparalleled lead times due to the use of  'Solder Jet Printing' in our surface mount assembly department. The production of orders can commence immediately without the need to wait for stencils. As we no longer use stencils, we can remove the risk and delays, remove the cost of tooling and removes a number of known technical constraints associated with the use of traditional stencils.

What is 'Solder Jet Printing'?   
The application of the solder paste directly onto the PCB, during the surface mount assembly process.

This is completed entirely without the need to use any paste stencils, instead direct from a jet printing head.

See more here, including a video: http://www.geminitec.co.uk/advanced-smt-technology/solder-jet-printing

How does it work?
The printer shoots millions of small solder paste dots on the fly, at split-second speeds while moving above the blank PCB board. Just like an ink jet printer, it is completely non-contact technology. We can easily apply solder paste onto complex and challenging boards with high precision and repeatability. Thi smakes it suited to high technology boards using devices packages such as, BGA & PoP (package-on-package) devices.

Placing paste with such precision means we never have to compromise on the quality of the solder volume or position, unlike traditional stencils. Its even checked with on board AOI, in seconds. By removing the variables and constraints of stencils, we can ensure PCB assemblies are built to exacting standards. We no longer need to engineer, order, wait, set up and perfect the stencil process, giving rise to numerous advantages. The obvious cost savings mean we no longer need to charge customers for stencils.

Can we help your company?
In addition to our Altium PCB layout service and rapid PCB assembly service, Gemini Tec supports its customers with a full contract manufacturing service, inclusive of material procurement, product test and validation, through to a complete box build service.

Gemini Tec's facility has a wide range of manufacturing tools to build complex PCB products. In addition to our leading edge MYDATA printing and SMT placement technology, we use the very latest in multi camera AOI inspection tools, Ersascope cameras, real time X-Ray and even X- J-tag tools for product conformance.

Book a visit to our superbly equipped and ultra clean ESD facility. A visit to Gemini Tec will allow the full appreciation of the technology and resources in place to build your products and confirm our ability to support your outsourcing needs.

Call our friendly team on +44 (0) 1252 333 444, or mail us with any questions at sales@geminitec.co.uk

Advanced PCB assembly with automated handling for fast production orders

State of the art SMT production facility

Experts in fast delivery of surface mount PCB products - Gemini Tec show how quickly PCBs are moved across its SMT lines...from pasted board to oven reflow..


Surface mount PCB assembly process with PCB handling and changeover. Check it out - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vLUyORa2Jc