Dec 15, 2008 
To enable electronics manufacturers to react to the demands of component diversity and continued miniaturization, while still achieving their goals of efficiency and reliability, the monitoring of the placement force applied to components can play a significant part in achieving these objectives.
CeTaQ developed its innovative measuring device to exactly gauge even the most miniscule press-on force occurring during the automated component placement operation. A quick and straightforward analysis of the actual placement force will enable the early detection of weak points in the process that, in turn, avoids damage and cuts costs.
CeTaQ's technology is able to carry out this finite measurement because the device travels over the conveyor into the placement machine just a though it was a genuine printed circuit board in production. Using an appropriate placement program, a customer is able to place any type of component they want checked. Measurements then take place under normal, real-time process conditions; just as it would to populate boards in actual production. An additional capability offered by CeTaQ is the evaluation of other mechanical measurement categories such as the stress on components during the PCB depaneling process.
The data received then can be analyzed using CeTaQ's patented software package, where a statistical distribution list of the placement forces measured will be established, including the force-time sequences of single placement steps. The CeTaQ data is so specific it can even break down the statistical results to pinpoint an individual placement head or nozzle.
CeTaQ is so committed to the benefits of this type of data that it has taken the process one step further. Companies have the option to either purchase the equipment to use in-house or they can take advantage of CeTaQ's placement force measurement service, carried out by skilled engineers at the customer's site.
CeTaQ's technical specifications include a length and width of 232 x 160 mm, with other dimensions available on request. A headroom over conveyor level of 1.6 mm and a clearance under conveyor level of 11.8 mm are standard. The force measurement range is 0 - 60 N, with a placement area of 108 cm� and measurement frequency of 10 - 9600 Hz.
About CeTaQ
Headquartered in Germany, CeTaQ GmbH provides a unique combination of products and services throughout world for measuring accuracy and repeatability. As a result, CeTaQ has become highly recognized as the leader in machine capability knowledge and as one of the most desired partners within the last several years in Europe, the Americas and overseas. For more information, visit the company's Web site at http://www.cetaq.com.
