770-538-0411 | Welcome, Guest Login | View Cart
Cart (0) | $0

Nozzles On Demand

Posted by Z. Shook on 6/3/2011 to Articles and Awards

In the electronics manufacturing industry, EMS companies and contract manufacturers must adjust to their customers’ demands for lower build costs and faster final product delivery. When you throw in specialized odd-form components, the manufacturer must decide how to place the component: hand assembly or with their automated equipment. Hand assembly is labor-intensive and costly compared to the speed of automated assembly. However, in order to transition the component to the automated pick-and-place equipment, the manufacturer must obtain two critical components ― feeders and nozzles.

Nozzles are the first and last thing to touch all placed components. Not to mention they move tens of thousands of these parts every hour. They are highly critical to the pick-and-place process. When manufacturers try to incorporate odd-form components into the build process, they must ensure that they have the right nozzle design to accurately pick up, transport and place the components. Any flaw in this step could result in issues down the road for the customer or the end-user. Traditionally, the only source for custom nozzles was the OEM but, in the last few decades, many other companies have emerged that specialize in aftermarket consumables for this equipment, including custom engineered nozzles.

Count On Tools Inc. (COT), a precision component manufacturer specializing in all aspects of the machining industry, has been setting new performance standards in the SMT pick-and-place nozzle market for more than 20 years. As the original source for high-quality, low-cost vacuum placement nozzles and associated consumables, we have pioneered with world-class development and process engineers that combine to ensure that innovation and competitiveness is applied to all of our extensive product range, including custom engineered nozzles. Annually, COT produces thousands of custom nozzles designs for all types of odd-form components. Some of the more common ones include 01005 chips, 0201 chips, sockets, LEDs, deep socket connectors, switches, pins, heavy components, preassembled circuit boards, heat sinks, film, labels, solder balls, shields, speakers, oversized components, antennas, RF shields, connectors and more. We don’t just sell nozzles, we offer solutions.

The most important benefit that COT offers customers is a fast turnaround time for custom nozzles. Generally, we can have nozzles ready in as little as 1-2 days after receiving samples of the component. This is the fastest custom nozzle service in the industry. Some OEM’s can take weeks, if not months, to develop custom nozzle designs. Our typical turnaround is 3-5 days or less. COT also provides free quotes and designs, eliminating extra worries and fees for customers. COT even guarantees the functionality of our custom nozzles with your equipment. Our company has a multiplatform expertise that is crucial to the design of custom nozzles. We are not afraid to take technology from one nozzle manufacturer and use it in a completely different machine. Basically, the process is the same for every SMT machine available. Finally, we offer affordable pricing on all of our custom nozzles, generally up to 50 percent less than our competitors. This all combines to create a unique service that is our own.

COT understands that in order for our customers to remain competitive in today’s market, they must be able to cut costs while maximizing the capabilities of their SMT assembly equipment to prevent costly investments in new equipment or increased labor from hand placements of odd-form components. Our custom nozzle design service allows us to help customers achieve better placements with odd-form components in their machines while saving them money. Customer satisfaction is our number one priority, so we stand behind our products 100 percent. If customers are not satisfied with the quality, durability and performance of our products, we will send them a free replacement that meets or exceeds their expectations or we will offer a full refund of the purchase price.

cot_expansion_08-2011_clip_image002