Count On Tools Inc., a leading provider of precision components and SMT spare parts, introduces its new series of Custom SMT Pick-and-Place Nozzles for CREE® XLamp® XM-L LED components. The new series is manufacturer-approved, based on CREE Inc.’s strict requirements and specifications.

By working closely with the component manufacturer, Count On Tools guarantees secure picking of all fragile components and accurate placement on the circuit board. The company’s line of custom SMT nozzles was developed especially for CREE XLamp® XM-L LEDs. According to CREE, the XLamp® XM-L is the industry’s brightest, highest performance lighting-class LED. With breakthrough light output and efficacy, XM-L is designed for very high-lumen applications, such as high-bay or roadway lighting.

CREE LEDs are unique because they require special handling operations to prevent damage to the optical lens. Count On Tools’ SMT nozzles for CREE LEDs are designed to avoid placing mechanical stress on the LED lens by not touching the optical surface during component picking or placement processes. This eliminates the possibility of degraded performance from the LED after the circuit board is assembled.

Joshua Markle, Applications Technical Associate for CREE Inc., commented, “I have been working with Count On Tools for the past year, and in this time they have gone above and beyond our expectations with the construction of the pick-and-place tooling that CREE recommends in our documentation. CREE is a leader in the manufacture of LEDs for the solid state lighting industry. We have released multiple products in the past year and Count on Tools has helped to provide a proper pick-and-place tool to be used with CREE products. They have provided outstanding service with an amazing turnaround time during the development of the tooling. I would recommend the work that Count On Tools provides to anyone looking for a quality pick-and-place tool with knowledgeable, friendly and expedient service.”

COT Marketing Director Zachery Shook commented, “Count On Tools 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. This new line of custom LED nozzles allows us to help customers achieve better placements with odd-form components in their machines while saving them money.”

Count On Tools’ custom SMT nozzle designs for CREE LEDs can be applied to any style of pick-and-place nozzle for any OEM or machine type (including, but not limited to: Assembleon, Fuji, Juki, Mirae, MYDATA, Panasonic, Samsung, Quad, Siemens, Universal, etc.). Additionally, Count On Tools can generally provide a finished nozzle within one to two days and save customers up to 50 percent over OEM designs for custom nozzles. Some nozzle designs can even be made the same day with the company’s existing nozzle tip selection straight off of the shelf. There are no design fees, and Count On Tools provides free quotes based on the equipment and type of LED being placed.

All nozzles are guaranteed to function properly with the original equipment. Every nozzle manufactured by Count On Tools comes standard with a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee. If any customer is not 100 percent satisfied with the performance or quality of a product, Count On Tools will replace it or offer a full refund.

Count On Tools Inc., a leading provider of precision components and SMT spare parts, introduces its new Ceramic Nozzle Series for the complete line of Universal Instruments Corporation’s (UIC) pick-and-place machines, including Genesis, Advantis, Flexjet and GSM.

This new series includes designs for the Lightning Head, InLine7 Head (Flexjet) and the InLine4 Head (GSM). This nozzle increases the machine’s capability to place 0402, 0201 and even 01005 components more accurately and reliably. The Count On Tools Ceramic Nozzle Series also costs up to 50 percent less than OEM nozzles designs.

In field tests at an undisclosed EMS location, Count On Tools Ceramic Nozzles outperformed OEM nozzles three to one on component picking performance with only one mis-pick. The test included a comparison of Count On Tools ceramic oval nozzle design and OEM three-hole blade design on the Lightning Head with an estimated 300 type 0201 components placed on a board.

Count On Tools ceramic nozzles are based on a proven design that has been in use in SMT equipment for more than ten years. The 0201 nozzle geometry offers 0.3 mils2 more vacuum than conventional OEM designs (61.7 mils2 COT vs. 61.4 mils UIC2). The COT oval ceramic nozzle design also prevents nozzle clogging, increasing performance while significantly extending the life of the tooling.

All nozzles are guaranteed to function properly with the original equipment. Every nozzle manufactured by Count On Tools comes standard with a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee. If any customer is not 100 percent satisfied with the performance or quality of a product, Count On Tools will replace it or offer a full refund.

Count On Tools Inc., a leading provider of precision components and SMT spare parts, will hold a sweepstakes during the IPC/APEX conference and exhibition, scheduled to take place April 12-14, 2011 at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Convention Center in Las Vegas. Attendees can sign up for the drawing at www.cotinc.com/20years.

This year marks Count On Tools, Inc.’s 20-year anniversary. To celebrate this occasion, the company will award special gift packages to 20 attendees during the show. Attendees can sign up early or stop by Count On Tools’ booth during the show to drop off business cards for additional chances to win.

"We would like to thank our customers for 20 years of loyal business," said Count On Tools' President, Curt Couch. "By being in touch with our customers, Count On Tools has been able to anticipate their needs and grow with their businesses. Our success is rooted in those valuable customer relationships and we want to reward a few of those customers at this year’s event!"

Join Count On Tools in celebrating 20 years of excellent business with new products and services on display at the 2011 IPC/APEX exhibition. Company representatives will be on hand to explain how Count On Tools products and services can help optimize SMT equipment for faster production and lower build costs.

Count On Tools supplies a full range of SMT tooling, odd-form component tooling and design services, and other SMT consumables for the electronics manufacturing industry. The company’s product range can be found in leading EMS companies worldwide.

Winners will be announced every hour during the show via text message or e-mail and attendees can pick up their prizes at Booth #1965.

There is no purchase necessary to win. All entrants must be registered attendees to qualify. Offer void where prohibited or restricted by law. Once received, all entries become property of Count On Tools, Inc. Sweepstakes winners will be chosen at random from entrants who signed up on-line during the term of the Sweepstakes or stop by the Count On Tools booth during the IPC/APEX exhibition. Prizes awarded to winners who do not respond within five (5) business days of notification will be considered “undeliverable” and will be awarded to an alternate entrant selected by another random drawing. Prizes returned as “undeliverable” will be forfeited. All Count On Tools 20th Anniversary Sweepstakes results are final.

If, for any reason, (including fraud, technical difficulties, tampering or any other events deemed beyond the sponsor’s control), the Sweepstakes cannot be carried out as intended, the sponsor reserves the right to suspend or modify the Sweepstakes as it sees fit. The sponsor and its affiliates will not be held liable for entries that are lost, late, stolen, damaged, illegible, incomplete, misdirected or lacking proper postage. Additionally, the sponsor and its affiliates are not responsible for incomplete, interrupted, or scrambled transmissions, unavailable web sites, networks, servers or systems, or other connection or transmission problems, technical malfunctions of the computer, software, web site, or any combination thereof, problems associated with any virus or other damage caused to any participant’s system or other problems of any kind, whether mechanical, electronic or human.

Count On Tools Inc., a leading provider of precision components and SMT spare parts, will introduce its latest developments in SMT nozzles and consumables in Booth #1965 at the upcoming at the upcoming IPC/APEX conference and exhibition, scheduled to take place April 12-14, 2011 at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Convention Center in Las Vegas.

Company representatives will be on hand to explain how Count On Tools products and services can help optimize SMT equipment for faster production and lower build costs. Count On Tools supplies a full range of SMT tooling, odd-form component tooling and design services, and other SMT consumables for the electronics manufacturing industry. The company’s product range can be found in leading EMS companies worldwide.

New product lines to be showcased at the event include: LED Nozzle Series, Micro Placement Nozzles, RPS Selective Soldering Nozzles and Risers, Manncorp Selective Solder Nozzles, Ace Custom Wave Solder Nozzles, an expanded selection of Mydata Spare Parts (feeder springs, filters and board lock arms), Pace Pre-Filters, Quad Peel Feeder Rollers, Universal Ceramic nozzles and a broad assortment of custom nozzle designs for odd-form components.

“The IPC/APEX expo is the leading event for the electronics manufacturing industry,” said Zachery Shook, Marketing Director of Count On Tools, Inc.  “The event offers us an ideal venue to meet with key customers and strategic partners to discuss our new services and product offerings.”

This year also marks for Count On Tools, Inc.’s 20-year anniversary. To celebrate this occasion, the company will award special gift packages to 20 attendees at the show. To sign up early for the drawing, please visit www.cotinc.com/20years. Attendees also may stop by during the show to drop off business cards for additional chances to win. Winners will be announced every hour during the show via text message or email and attendees can pick up their gifts at Booth #1965.

“We want to thank our loyal customers for 20 years of business,” commented Count On Tools’ President, Curt Couch. “By being in touch with our customers, Count On Tools has been able to anticipate their needs and grow with their business. That's one of the major reasons why we have been so successful. We very much look forward to the next twenty years!”

Count On Tools is pleased to offer complimentary IPC/APEX exhibit passes. To register, visit http://www.ipcapexexpo.org/vip-pass.aspx?id=1037735.

For more information about Count On Tools’ SMT nozzles or consumables, stop by Booth #1965 at the show or visit www.cotinc.com.