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MPM Accuflex

MPM Accuflex

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Does anyone have this machine? Is it as good as the Ultra Pr... - Oct 02, 2003 by

The Accuflex is a machine that MPM has evolved into from a S... - Oct 02, 2003 by Cardinal Circuit

The Accuflex is a similar platform to DEk with one big diffe... - Oct 02, 2003 by

This is probably the most advanced machine that MPM has E... - Oct 03, 2003 by

Folks, I use both UP1500 and AccuFlex. The basis for t... - Oct 03, 2003 by

" few software bugs"....many software bugs. May I remind yo... - Oct 04, 2003 by

Dean- I also have (2) UP-1500's with 6.32 software that I... - Oct 04, 2003 by Fastek

I have 12 of the 500 series machines. For runner to the 1500... - Oct 04, 2003 by Lysik

It's so ironic. The cognex vision system used in the acufle... - Oct 06, 2003 by

To upgrade to version 8(VERY recommended), there are 4 diffe... - Oct 06, 2003 by

I believe NEA still sells new UP500's for around $45K. I th... - Oct 07, 2003 by adlsmt

OK guys thanks for the input! I went to a factory recently t... - Oct 14, 2003 by

That's not a fair comparison. It's like putting a Ferrari ne... - Oct 14, 2003 by Fastek

Fastek is right. There is only one way to compare machine... - Oct 14, 2003 by

Dean and fastek, Thanks for your input. Actually the MPM ... - Oct 17, 2003 by

Sounds like you got yourself a printer! Just glad you did... - Oct 18, 2003 by

AXL- Can you send me your e-mail address? I want to ask y... - Oct 19, 2003 by Fastek

Axl

#25911

MPM Accuflex | 2 October, 2003

Does anyone have this machine? Is it as good as the Ultra Print 3000? The head on this machine looks very similar to DEK's head, does it work the same way?

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Cardinal Circuit

#25912

MPM Accuflex | 2 October, 2003

The Accuflex is a machine that MPM has evolved into from a SM Tech platform. They purchased the product from SM Tech. The man who designed the platform designed Dek printers; essentially the Accuflex is a DEK platform.

If you are looking for a UP 3000 I have one available, vintage 2000.

Brad Jakeway Cardinal Circuit

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Steve

#25923

MPM Accuflex | 2 October, 2003

The Accuflex is a similar platform to DEk with one big difference,,, the 2D inspection works and can be used as a reliable process tool. The UP3000 is a reasonable machine however WAY TOO BIG

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m4040

#25938

MPM Accuflex | 3 October, 2003

This is probably the most advanced machine that MPM has EVER offered. It operates in a Windows 2000 environment, which means plug and play networking. Both setup for new boards and 2D are VERY easy to set up. Most new board programming can be done offline at your desk, and they do NOT charge extra for an offline suite. The software that comes with the machine can be installed on any desktop (or laptop) running NT,2000, or XP. It has an Auto Tooling feature that really works well, and it goes a step beyond their flagship platform (UltraFlex/3000) in that it actually puts its tools away when it's done. When MPM first bought this system, it was a very different machine, and actually sort of sucked. Very buggy. They have been working for 2 years on it, and it is now worthy of their name. I say BRAVO MPM.... great machine!

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SMT Process

#25939

MPM Accuflex | 3 October, 2003

Folks,

I use both UP1500 and AccuFlex.

The basis for this machine was bought from SMTech several years ago as the SMTech 500. They sold off the last few SMTech machines with the MPM name on them (stupid move because they sucked), but then quickly redesigned it as a slightly larger system to accomodate all the toys they wanted to equip it with. They redesignated this as the UltraPrint 1500. This was a nice machine, but had a few software issues. They continued to redesign hardware, software, etc until they had a really nice machine on their hands, but due to the quirkiness of the previous iterations, they decided to market it as AccuFlex (it is an extremely accurate and Flexible little system).

For those of you who bought the UP1500, MPM did not just continue to make improvements to the AccuFlex, they also made some vast improvements to the 1500. I recommend getting the latest software, firmware, and hardware upgrades for UP1500 (I think 8.0 software) which really makes this a friendly and reliable platform to work with. MPM doesn't like to tarnish their name, so they give these away at cost.... well worth doing.

To sum up, a venerable machine worth a lot more than they charge for it.

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Dean

#25948

MPM Accuflex | 4 October, 2003

" few software bugs"....many software bugs. May I remind you of version 6.10, 6.32 and the still-born 6.34!!!

MPM has worked very hard to repair these, though it has taken some time. I have 5 machines from the SM Tech era, mpm500 and mpm1500 era (vesion 6 to 7.03)...soon to be version 8.xx software. MPM has refined the SMTech design and it is unbelievable quick, accurate and reliable for the cost. I would choose these machines over the UP 2k and 3k machines (and I own these as-well). Best fitting printer for my factory!

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Fastek

#25952

MPM Accuflex | 4 October, 2003

Dean-

I also have (2) UP-1500's with 6.32 software that I was considering upgrading. If you have some insight as to what it takes to get them to 8.xx can we discuss it off-line? Thanks.....

Rick fastek@attbi.com

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Lysik

#25953

MPM Accuflex | 4 October, 2003

I have 12 of the 500 series machines. For runner to the 1500. I had some software bugs but upgraded to the latest software. In 12 months of 3 shift a day production (with 1 day for maint) I have only spent about $500 USD in repair parts. I do also run several UP-2000 and 3000 The oldest is a 1996 most are 1997 and I must say they have been very very reliable. I did look at the new Accuflex in the past recent months it seems they have gone to Cognex vision and it seems to look more and more MPM Like. I would feel safe with it.

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Dean

#25956

MPM Accuflex | 6 October, 2003

It's so ironic. The cognex vision system used in the acuflex is called an 8000 system. Turns out my factory produces these same pci based electronic assembly. Small world isn't it!

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SMT Process

#25970

MPM Accuflex | 6 October, 2003

To upgrade to version 8(VERY recommended), there are 4 different upgrades that can get you there depending on what rev of camera and firmware you have, and whether you want to add 2D functionality. If you don't already have 2D, I would recommend doing it in conjunction with the upgrade, as the bundled 2D and software upgrade costs less than 2D alone. After upgrade to 8, the 1500 is like a whole new machine.

Call their tech dept for the nitty gritty.

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adlsmt

#25992

MPM Accuflex | 7 October, 2003

I believe NEA still sells new UP500's for around $45K. I think MPM dumped them all there and pays them as they sell. Is it worth looking at if the software is upgraded? I had the general opinion that the hardware was not so hot.

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Axl

#26043

MPM Accuflex | 14 October, 2003

OK guys thanks for the input! I went to a factory recently to get upclose and personal, it seems like a good machine. Now here is the ultimate question: If you stand this next to the DEK Infinity assuming you could get the Infinity for around the same price, which machine would you choose? I personaly would go with the DEK, anyone disagree? Why?

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Fastek

#26049

MPM Accuflex | 14 October, 2003

That's not a fair comparison. It's like putting a Ferrari next to a Volkswagon and asking which one you would choose if they both cost the same. The Infinity is a top of the line offering from DEK. The Accuflex is MPM's entry level machine for fully automated printing. The equivalent in DEK is probably the ELA. A new Infinity is likely 2-3 times more than an new Accuflex. I suppose you might be able to find a heavely used, ran into the ground, four or five year old Infinity on the used market at cheap money from a starving broker. If that's the case there wouldn't be a world of difference in price compared with a new Accuflex.

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Dean

#26050

MPM Accuflex | 14 October, 2003

Fastek is right.

There is only one way to compare machines. You need a feature matrix, performance matrix, cost matrix. If you don't sort machines by class you could compare two completely dissimilar machines and not fufill your goal of equipment comparison.

Example: I need to buy an Airplane. I like the piper cub and the Boeing 777. IF I could get the 777 for the price of a cub I'd be set! Except you forot to factor maintenance costs, pilot training, fuel costs per passenger, FAA licensing, inspections and all you wanted to do was fly to Atlanta. Seems simple but does it fit your needs...first define your needs.

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AXL

#26095

MPM Accuflex | 17 October, 2003

Dean and fastek,

Thanks for your input. Actually the MPM Accuflex is more accurate than the UP3000 and MPM will tell you that. The machine wasn't intentionally built that way but that is the way it turned out. Oh and Dean, what if the Piper Cub was as fast as the 777 and in a smaller plane? Who cares if it holds less passengers I don't have to carry that many! I have done a apples to apples comparison of both these machines (DEK&ACCUFLEX) and believe it or not they are pretty close. I don't care about 3 or 4 seconds off of a cycle time; I care about the robustness of the machine. DEK (until this generation of machine) has not been known for their friendly machine interface. Only recently can they compare to MPM software with their new NT platform. My boards are max 14X14 so I don't need a machine that has super board size capacity. I will need a flexible printer that can handle prototype and eventually large production runs. Now considering I am being offered a DEK Infinity at a close to Accuflex price I am definitely leaning to DEK anyway, but I can't ignore the offering that MPM has put on the table. I have worked on both machines and like them both, why can't they just merge together? LOL Now that you have some more information I am guessing you guys would recommend the DEK because of the bargain price? Lastly, Dean it sounds like you are a pilot? I have grown up around aviation and fly myself (150's,172's, etc;). No offense but I would use a Cherokee 180 vs. a Cherokee 140 as an analogy vs. the one you presented, I think yours was a little extreme!

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Dean

#26108

MPM Accuflex | 18 October, 2003

Sounds like you got yourself a printer!

Just glad you did your homework...capital equipment is always a big descision. Especially, now that budgets are reduced (pronounced "non existant").

Enjoy the new toy.

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Fastek

#26113

MPM Accuflex | 19 October, 2003

AXL-