Electronics production
Fast assembly with high precision
Electronics production in the automotive industry is facing increasing quantities and ever more complex product variants. By modernizing the SMT line and using high-precision placement systems, it is possible to significantly reduce set-up and cycle times - while maintaining the same level of quality and energy efficiency.
Cobo manufactures over 70,000 product variants for industrial and automotive applications. Many of these products, such as dashboards, light switches or headlights, contain at least one assembled circuit board. The company has modernized its SMT line to ensure precision and efficiency as production volumes increase. At its headquarters in Leno, Italy, Cobo now relies on the Aimexr all-rounder platform from Fuji. This results in significantly reduced set-up and cycle times.
"We assume that production volumes will continue to increase in the coming years. At the same time, the number of variants is increasing significantly - which places high demands on our production processes," says Luigi Massarotto, Electronic Process Manager at Cobo. "In SMT assembly, we need systems that enable fast product changes, consistent quality and high throughput - even with small batch sizes." Together with the Fenwick Group's technology partner Algar, Cobo defined the most important requirements for a future-proof SMT environment. Two priorities were at the forefront: drastically reduced set-up times and significantly improved system availability - both of which are essential for agile and competitive electronics production.
Higher throughput, lower energy consumption
Based on this assessment, Cobo has expanded its existing SMT line with two new Fuji systems - including the Aimexr all-rounder platform. This is the first time the Aimexr has been installed in Europe. This state-of-the-art machine combines newly developed placement heads with integrated real-time sensor technology, enabling fast and high-precision placement of components.
The new front-end line, consisting of Aimexr and Aimex III, forms the heart of Cobo's modernized electronics production. The set-up is complemented by proven technology solutions for transport, solder paste printing, solder paste inspection (SPI), reflow soldering and automated optical inspection (3D AOI) as well as additional placement machines that are integrated into the existing line.
"With the Aimexr, we have taken our electronics production to the next level," says Massarotto. "We need systems that guarantee stable cycle times and placement quality, even with changing layouts and small batch sizes. Compared to our previous solutions, the Aimexr delivers consistent cycle times with a remarkable increase in productivity. At the same time, we were able to significantly reduce energy consumption."
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