JOT Automation launches a Solution to Odd Shape Components

 As the number of connections in electronic products like computers and televisions are on the rise, the problem with many components being used in traditional SMT machines has become a growing issue. Leading supplier of production and test solutions for the electronics, telecom, automotive, aerospace and advanced life science industries, JOT Automation has however found a solution that will increase productivity and quality during manufacture.

The new JOT Automation Odd Shape Placement Cell, which will be launched to the market at the USA APEX Expo, has been designed to ensure that components that are out of placement range of the standard SMT machines are placed by using a diversified, fast, compact and cost effective machine.

The main advantage of the Automation Odd Shape Cell is its reliability with proven mechanics and robotics. Combined with JOT’s experience of software development and process know-how, the machine has found a place in both developed and developing worlds.

Kyösti Soini, Director of JOT Automation Electronics Business line said: “We believe our new robotic cell is the most cost-effective solution for placing odd-shaped components available. Markets that are currently most active in finding these solutions are China and Mexico. As salaries grow in developing countries, electronic manufacturers are looking for automated solutions for odd-shape assembly. These countries in particular have shown great interest in automating odd shape component placement in order to increase productivity and quality.

“It has been proven through return on investment calculations that in most of the cases there has been a high return.  It highlights that a client’s production process will be easier to control, especially in developing countries where automation is something new, the process of placing odd components has to be a simple and reliable process and the JOT Odd Shape Component Placement Cell does just this.”

The JOT Odd Shape Component Placement Cell includes feeding, pre-forming and gripping systems to achieve a reliable odd shape component, feed and pick and place-process. Many automotive, consumer and telecommunications companies already use this method for their products manufacturing processes. This means large component placing with pins, capacitors, connectors and resistors. These mostly passive components are out of the placement range of the standard SMT machines and need to be placed with a diversified machine. Depending on the manufacturing process, either a surface mount Pin in Paste (PiP) or a regular PTH component could be used. Today, there are many active components e.g. mini-cameras to be placed with an odd shape machine after the SMT/reflow process where normally most of the components are assembled.

In the future, more and more of these complex production requests will demand a suitable and flexible odd component placer which makes the production line more efficient and re-usable. There is no limit to developing a dedicated solution for any odd formed component. 

Press Release

November 29, 2012

JOT Automation Introduces New Production Test Solution for Smart Devices

The production volumes of smart devices like smart phones and tablet PCs are booming and manufacturers are looking for solutions to speed up the development cycles and to overcome the capacity challenges in manufacturing. The JOT M10 Functional Test Solution has been developed to answer this need. JOT M10 is the successor to the very popular JOT Multi Level Tester, the world’s most-used automated production test solution for mobile devices until now.

The JOT M10 Functional Test Solution will be the world’s most effective, scalable and modular solution for board / PCB-level functional testing, flashing and RF-tuning of smart devices like mobile phones, smart phones, tablet computers, PCs and computers, motherboards, automotive electronics, or basically any electronics product with high production quality requirements.

One of the key benefits of the solution is that the very same test solution can be taken from R&D to production to secure efficient and swift production ramp up. The other key benefit of the solution is the modular system architecture, which enables the M10 to easily adapt to production volume variations during a product’s life cycle, and also between the production lines and factories. The

JOT M10 Functional Test Solution consists of M10 Test Boxes, M10 Test Rack, and M10 Test Handler.

The M10 Test Boxes come with integrated test electronics and are available both as RF and non-RF variants, supporting both module and panel-level testing.

In a production environment, M10 Test Boxes can be accommodated to M10 Test Rack together with third-party test instruments. The M10 Test Rack with Test Boxes can be served manually or automatically with the M10 Test Handler. To create a real test monster, you can have several M10s in a row. For maximum capacity, test phases can be split flexibly, both inside the rack and between the racks.

The M10 is suitable for a variety of test strategies, processes, end products and applications, making it a future-proof investment for manufacturers of smart devices.

The JOT M10 Functional Test Solution has raised a lot of interest from handset manufacturers, chipset manufacturers and test instrument manufacturers already prior to the official launch. The solution is now available in beta for select customers and will be showcased for the first time at the APEX Exhibition in San Diego in February 2013.

Further information about our products and solutions can be obtained at www.jotautomation.com, contacting your closest JOT Automation sales representative, and by sending a message to info@jotautomation.com.

Desktop Micro Assembly Solutions

Our offering ranges from desktop cells used in LEAN environment to fully automated production lines. Our record line length is roughly 100 meters but usually we manage with much less.

In recent years, miniaturization and the need for desktop solutions, catalyzed by LEAN-philosophy, has been one of the most important drivers for our R&D.  Today, we supply desktop solutions with significant savings for energy, materials and space for both assembly and testing. As manufacturing strategies become ever more agile, prompt re-configurability is important.

We are using our mass production know-how, originated from telecom industry with 1,7 billion handsets manufactured in 2012, as an example to serve the needs of the leading manufacturers of healthcare devices and disposables.

We build our solutions on standard platforms utilizing machine vision as well as other robotics and sensor technologies. By continuously reaching the high quality standards we are able to offer leading efficiency and economics of scale. Utilizing machine vision and innovative feeder and gripper solutions, we minimize the need for product-specific hardware – and life cycle costs.

Typical application for our desktop solutions are poka-yoke screw insertion in LEAN production environment. Our latest innovation is machine vision assisted high accuracy assembly of smart phone displays.

Running production with JOT solutions is convenient and easy to learn. A lot of effort has been focused on ensuring smooth and flawless operations. This is clearly shown in features such as advanced user interfaces and incentive use of poka yoke methodology. With line management software solution we are able to provide statistics, reporting, traceability and integration to factory systems.

Mobile Test Solutions

We are leading mobile phone manufacturing test solutions supplier with over million phones tested every day with JOT equipment. To date, we have delivered in excess of 4000 test products and 40000 test adapters and fixtures to the mobile phone manufacturers. With our end-to-end approach, we minimize human effect and provide our customers close to 100% production quality with very reasonable investments. As one stop shop our offering includes test components, adapters, test boxes, test handlers and 3rd party test instruments. In other words complete integrated and customized test solutions.

Our job starts already in phone’s R&D phase when also “Design for Quality” is being done. In co-operation with test instrument and chipset manufacturers, we support our customers in creating test strategies and doing the right technology selections. Our solutions are characterized by scalability for different production volumes, evolving from manual to automated handling. For example, in the R&D phase, our scope of supply includes the design and supply of the first proto adapters for the first phone production batch.

At the factory floor, after training the operators, and during the phone’s production ramp-up, it gets busy. Our job starts from functional testing and testing the phones as PCBs and PCB-panels. In addition to electrical testing, our solutions take care of software flashing and RF-tuning. To meet the specific needs of our customers, we offer wide range of in-line and off-line solutions. At this point, our solutions are often complemented with our depaneling and board handling products.

In the final testing phase, we simulate the use of smart phone using variety of advanced sensor and robot-technologies in a repeatable and reliable environment. In practice our solutions test the proper functionality of microphone, loudspeakers, cameras, radios, dimensions, push buttons, signal lights and displays, touchscreen, not to forget the testing of all the physical connectors and interfaces like USB and audio plug.

JOT works with long-term partnerships with customers, constantly seeking ways to improve quality and minimize costs. Major operational improvements are achieved when faults are detected as early as possible and need for re-work is minimized. However, the most important thing is to make sure that faulty devices never get into the hands of any of the 6 billion mobile phone users worldwide. Considering all the quality costs, payback time for test investments can be only few days. The reports you get out from our Line Management Software supports this.

As manufacturing strategies become more and more agile, our solutions are characterized by easy re-configurability and smooth product changes. If you need help in optimizing you factory footprint according LEAN-principles, we can provide top experts to advise you. If needed, we even play Angry Birds for you. Our solutions are your extra eyes, fingers, ears, mouth and brains 24/7/365. JOT - leading mobile phone manufacturing test solutions supplier.