A small SMT machine can place different components, switch between products, and fit into factories with limited space.
Fuji Corporation has developed the CLT-FG, an SMT pick-and-place machine designed for high-mix, low-volume production and manufacturing lines where floor space is limited. The machine combines a compact footprint with a placement head designed to handle a broad range of component sizes.
The CLT-FG has a machine body approximately one metre wide, allowing it to be installed in production areas where space is restricted. Despite its compact size, the machine is designed to place small chip components at high speed while also providing stable placement of larger components. This allows manufacturers to use the same machine across different product types and production runs with varying component configurations.
The machine is particularly intended for production environments where frequent product changeovers and fluctuations in demand require manufacturing equipment to be flexible. Its versatile placement head supports different component sizes, helping manufacturers handle changing production requirements without relying on equipment dedicated to a narrower component range.
Fuji has also used a streamlined machine and unit configuration in the CLT-FG to reduce the effort involved in installation and operation. Along with its approximately one-metre-wide body, this configuration gives manufacturers more flexibility when planning production-line layouts or adding equipment to existing facilities.
The CLT-FG is based on placement technologies and platform assets developed through Fuji’s experience in SMT equipment. The company says this technology base supports stable operation and reliable component placement across different production requirements. The machine has also been designed with compatibility with existing equipment and production assets in mind, which can help manufacturers integrate it into established manufacturing environments.
The need for this type of flexibility is linked to changes in electronics manufacturing. Shorter product lifecycles, greater product variety and fluctuations in demand are making it more common for manufacturers to produce smaller volumes and switch between different products and component configurations. At the same time, manufacturers need to consider machine performance, available floor space, and the installation and operational workload when expanding or modifying production lines.
Click here for the original announcement.
