Fully Automatic PCB Stencil and Screen Printer – Ekra SERIO 6000

About the Fully Automatic PCB Stencil and Screen Printer – Ekra SERIO 6000

Autonomous operation means reducing the use of operators to an absolute minimum. In analyses, it was found that most customers lose efficiency during job changes. This is because the operator must be at the right place on the line at the right time to perform the changeover. Otherwise, the line is more than unnecessarily interrupted. With this problem in mind, the SERIO 6000 autonomous printer was developed.

The SERIO 6000 is the first fully automatic PCB stencil printer. The system offers automation in stages - adaptable to your level of automation in your production. For example, you can use the smart autonomous printer to set up squeegees and stencils asynchronously. The tools for the next product cycle can be stored directly on the printer and then automatically installed at the right time.

The SERIO 6000 follows the mission Scalable to Infinity: the system can be individually expanded with with options and features, already in the initial configuration or subsequently, if changed production processes require it.

For autonomous process design sophisticated new modules have been installed in the SERIO 6000:

AUTOMATED PASTE EXCHANGE SYSTEM

The newly developed cartridge magazine can hold up to nine solder paste cartridges, which corresponds to approximately 12 kilograms of solder paste. Different types of paste can be stored without any problems. Thanks to communication with higher-level systems, the appropriate paste is assigned to each production order. The new system allows uninterrupted operation of the machine for up to 36 hours.

• The system offers storage facilities for up to nine cartridges directly in the printer
• Independent paste supply for more than one shift is possible
• Withdrawal is based on the FIFO principle for sustainable consumption
• Thanks to RFID technology, the individual cartridges are tracked
• Cartridges can be replaced quickly and easily thanks to access from the front

NEW PRINT HEAD

• With the print head an autonomous squeegee exchange is possible
• The stencil feed can be done automatically
• Squeegee and stencil are tracked via RFID technology

INTELLIGENT PASTE DISPENSE SYSTEM

A new fully electric paste dispenser can change cartridges independently. It also regulates the dispensing volume. This is important in order to meet the requirements of the different products. In combination with the paste height control the correct amount is always dispensed. The dispenser is intelligent, it calculates the movement depending on product, volume and cycle time.

• Electrically driven dispensing unit
• Effective volume control thanks to even paste delivery by electric spindle (no pressure/time)
• Repeatability
• Measures cartridge fill levels for a validated process
• Automatic cartridge change enables an uninterrupted process

AUTOMATIC STENCIL LOADER

The machine enables an automated job change. In combination with the stencil feeding and positioning system and the automatic squeegee exchange the SERIO 6000 becomes the first fully autonomous printer on the market. The vertical storage directly on the printer is a space-saving, accessible and user-friendly solution for the automatic loading of squeegees and stencils. The materials are stored directly at the printer and automatically set up. To do this, the storage system moves to a horizontal position to change the stencil and squeegee automatically. The used tools are fed into the warehouse. These can then be flexibly removed and exchanged. After the job has been successfully changed the stencil loader returns to its original position.

• Asynchronous setup – job preparation during operation
• Just-in-time job changes without operator intervention
• Suitable for 23 or 29 inch stencil types
• Minimized floor space due to horizontal storage directly at the system

SMART FEATURES

• SIMPLEX - The user interface sets new standards in machine operation. Complex input tasks can be performed intuitively on touch displays.
• Multiclamp - A flexible, multiple transport and clamping system that combines roller transport and retractable clamping system. It is suitable for the majority of substrates available today.
• Fill level measurement of cleaning fluid - The fill level monitoring system ensures even and consumption-optimized moistening of the cloth surface.
• Paste Height Detection - The paste height detection monitors the paste quantity. If the paste falls below the set level, an automatic dispensing process is initiated.

MANUAL OR FULLY AUTOMATIC

The equipment can be set up manually or fully automatic by means of an AIV/robot combination. The so-called APA (autonomous process assist) serves the printer and other systems in the production. The APA automatically supplies used stencils and squeegees to a cleaning station. In addition, it can feed these cleaned tools to the stencil storage cabinet. The material flow is controlled via the new PULSE PRO software suite: the “Material” module organizes the goods on the shopfloor.