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Interview with Yoshito Kanayama, Product Manager for Sayaka PCB Routers and Hirox 3D Digital Microscopes, at Seika Machinery, Inc.
Product Manager for Sayaka PCB Routers and Hirox 3D Digital Microscopes, at Seika Machinery, Inc.
Seika Machinery, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of Seika Corporation in Tokyo, Japan, and a member of the Mitsubishi global corporate group. The company specializes in the distribution of machinery, equipment and materials for the electronics assembly market with engineering services provided worldwide.
Q. Yoshito, we understand that you are the Product Manager for Sayaka PCB Routers and Hirox 3D Digital Microscopes. Can you tell us a bit about each of these products?
A. Sayaka PCB routers are a low-stress solution for precision depaneling of densely populated PCBs with sophisticated user-friendly software. The stress level of Sayaka routers is approximately 100 microstrain, and they are available in simple table-top, standalone, and in-line models. Additionally, the routers feature panel sizes up to 500 x 600 mm (19.7 x 23.6") and thicknesses up to 6 mm (0.236"). All Sayaka routers use a highly efficient fixture-based dust collection system and high-speed servo mechanism.
Hirox Digital Microscopes provide a combination of high quality optics and advanced digital functionality. Hirox utilizes lens modules, so by application or by sample, an operator is able to choose the best matching lens and adapter. Superior optics allow magnification up to 7000X, high optical resolution lenses, and unique lens adapters, including the BGA prism chip and rotary head adapter. The metal-halide light source has a color temperature of 5460 Kelvin, very close to the natural daylight color temperature of 5500 Kelvin, giving the system excellent color reproduction.
Q. Sayaka offers two fully automated PCB in-line routers, the SAM-CT23BP and the SAM-CT23BPW. What is the difference between the two routers?
A. The SAM-CT23BP has a turn-table that carries two fixtures. Two processes of loading/unloading and depaneling are accomplished simultaneously, significantly reducing tact time. The CT23BPW has a straight through mechanism, and is capable of handling large panels up to 300 x 400 mm (11.8 x15.7") PCBs.
Q. Sayaka Routers are said to be the ideal solution for stress-free depanelization. How is this accomplished?
A. Router depaneling provides the lowest stress levels among conventional depaneling techniques. With router depaneling, the router does not break the boards, which causes stress; instead, a router bit grinds off a tab of a board. However, even with the low-stress benefit of depaneling with traditional router machines, they are known to be a slow and dusty process, and also are complex to program/debug. Sayaka routers use unique fixture-based dust collecting and a fast servo system with a user-friendly program, thereby conquering the issues of traditional routers.
Q. How do Sayaka Routers manage to provide clean and precise depanelization for densely populated PCBs?
A. Sayaka Routers provide clean depanalization for densely populated PCBs by using a unique fixture-based dust collection system and down-draft designed router bit. Precision is accomplished using an accurate XYZ-axis servo system, self-alignment by fiducial mark reading, and firm PCB support on the fixture by air suction.
Q. Objects may be inspected dynamically in 360° with the patented HIROX design. What magnification are the microscopes capable of achieving?
A. With a rotary head adapter, the magnification range is between 6 and 800X. This provides users with the freedom to inspect 360° angles with seamless magnification.
Q. HIROX microscopes are highly configurable and feature a flexible lineup of lenses and peripheral devices, and are said to provide low maintenance costs. How is this achieved?
A. The entire Hirox Digital Microscope, including the lenses and adapters, was designed so that all end-users across many different industries and applications can use the system with little to no microscope experience. To achieve this, the system was made with very few consumable parts, and very durable lenses and adapters. For most end-users, the only maintenance required, is replacement of the light source after 4000 hours.
Q. We understand that two models of HIROX microscopes are available, KH-1330 and KH-7700. Can you please describe the features of each model?
The KH-1300 digital microscope is revolutionary in that it achieves both the highest transfer speeds in its class and high-quality images at the same time. The KH-1300 connects to the computer via firewire 800, and has three levels of software: visual inspection and recording, 2D measurement and analysis, and 3D measurement and analysis.
The KH-7700 Digital Microscope System Version 2.0 is Hirox's newest, most advanced development. The digital camera, light source, LCD monitor, computer and software are all integrated into one unit. The KH-7700 provides the user with the ultimate in high-performance observation, measurement, analysis, recording, management and output.