Conversation with Merlin [email protected] · Thu Dec 21 2023

make a Technical Comparison of offerings from NMT Inertec and competitor Pillarhouse.About nmt CUBE 460 Machine Specifications

Dimensions with shuttle L 2000 mm; W 1550 mm; H 1250 mm (79“ x 61“ x50“) Dimensions without shuttle L 1430 mm; W 1550 mm; H 1250 mm (57“ x 61“ x 50“) Weight Ca 800 kg Colour base frame RAL7035; door panel RAL7021 Exhaust opening Ø150 mm (6“) Extraction rate 400m³/h Power requirements 3x32 A; 3x400V; 50 Hz;6KW System control Control concept PC; Beckhoff PLC Interface Ethernet, USB USV Optional PC PC; Flat screen monitor; keyboard; mouse Offline software Offline software for easy programming Axis type XY-Portal; Z-axis lift Camera Camera with cross hair for online programming Axis movement Combination of toothed belts and ball screw Drive concept DC Servo motors with encoders; CAN-BUS Repeatability ±0,15 mm (±0,006“) Board size Dimensions min/max 20x20 mm / 460x460 mm (0,8“x0,8“ / 18“x18) Soldering angle 0° Soldering angle 0° oder 7° Bottom side clearance 30 mm (1,2“) Top side clearance 150 mm (6“) Carrier Special fixtures available, downholder, etc. Flux System Fluxer type Micro Drop Flux Alcohol based with 5% solids recommended Flux container 3 litre pressurised pot with level indicator Second flux pot for different flux type available Preheat Type Quartz Rods Power approx. 4 KW Top side preheat Built into the gripper Solder Pot Solder pot (big size) enables to add a second mini wave module Solder volume lead-free (45 Kg) / leaded (50 Kg) Using two small solder pots enables to operate with different alloys Solder volume lead-free (21 Kg) / leaded (24 Kg) Solder pot with a wave module = 200mm Solder volume lead-free (58 Kg) / leaded (66 Kg) Additional mini wave module For parallel soldering or in combination with the module lifting different nozzles can be used in one programm Additional nozzle heating High performance additional nozzle heating including temperature controller Additional solder nozzles Different sizes are available Ø4 mm - Ø20 mm (0,02“ – 0,08“) Wetted (multi directional) nozzle Different sizes are available Ø4 mm - Ø20 mm (0,02“ – 0,08“) Warm up time Circa 45 minutes Solder temperature Maximum 330°C Solder temperature control solder aggregate Solder wave height control Programm controlled Solder wire feeder Motor driven up to 1,5 - 2mm (other sizes on request), solder wire max 5 kg Nitrogen inerted Nitrogen quality, 5.0 is recommended, max pressure 5,5 bar Nitrogen consumption Depending on User soldering nozzle 1-3 m3/ hr Process Camera Camera „real time“ to view the soldering process Trolley and Exchangeable solder pot Exchanging of the soldering aggregate for the use of different alloys Electro-dynamic solder pump Alternative to a standard rotarydrive pump.About pillarhouse, Specifications Height: 1403mm / 55” – excluding light stack Width: 1000mm / 40“ Depth: 1351mm / 53” Board size: 457mm x 508mm / 18”x 20” (larger PCB size available upon request) Edge clearance: Above / below 3mm Height clearance: Above / below 40mm nominal Above 190mm – special application Solder: Most commonly used solder types – including lead-free Solder pot capacity: 8kg Applicators: AP style – 2.5mm to 16mm dia. Extended AP style – 2.5mm to 20mm dia. Micro nozzle – 1.5mm to 2.5mm Jet-Tip style – 6mm to 20mm dia. Jet-Wave nozzle – up to 25mm width Special dedicated nozzles available upon request Flux: Low maintenance Drop-Jet system. Low solids (below 8%), no clean flux, pressurised and inerted system, optional water soluble system available X, Y & Z Axis resolution: 0.1mm Repeatability: +/- 0.05mm Nitrogen usage: 35 litres gas/min. 5 bar pressure Nitrogen purity: 99.995% or better Air supply pressure: 5 bar / 72 psi Power supplies: Single phase + PE Voltage: 208V – 250V Frequency: 50/60Hz Power : 4kVA Power with IR preheat: 6.5kVA – Top-side 8kVA – Top with bottom-side ring heater Transport: Hand load Tooling: Integral adjustable board guides, includes finger extensions and board clamps Programming: PillarCOMM Windows® based ‘Point & Click’ interface

The NMT Inertec CUBE and the Pillarhouse machine are both advanced selective soldering systems used in electronics manufacturing. To conduct a technical comparison, let's examine the key specifications of both machines:

NMT Inertec CUBE 460 Machine Specifications:

  1. Dimensions:
    • With Shuttle: L 2000 mm; W 1550 mm; H 1250 mm (79“ x 61“ x50“)
    • Without Shuttle: L 1430 mm; W 1550 mm; H 1250 mm (57“ x 61“ x 50“)
  2. Weight: Approximately 800 kg
  3. Power Requirements: 3x32 A; 3x400V; 50 Hz; 6KW
  4. System Control: PC; Beckhoff PLC with Ethernet and USB interfaces
  5. PCB Dimensions: 20x20 mm to 460x460 mm (0.8“x0.8“ to 18“x18“)
  6. Flux System: Micro Drop type with alcohol-based flux and 3-liter pressurized flux container
  7. Preheat: Quartz Rods with built-in gripper preheating
  8. Solder Pot: Different configurations available, including mini wave modules and additional nozzle heating
  9. Nitrogen Usage: Nitrogen inerted with recommended quality of 5.0, maximum pressure 5.5 bar, and 1-3 m3/hr consumption
  10. Process Camera: Real-time viewing of the soldering process
  11. Other Features: Offline software for easy programming, camera with crosshair for online programming, and various solder pot configurations with programmable control

Pillarhouse Machine Specifications:

  1. Dimensions: H 1403mm / 55”, W 1000mm / 40“, D 1351mm / 53”
  2. Board Size: 457mm x 508mm / 18”x 20” (larger PCB size available upon request)
  3. Solder Pot Capacity: 8kg
  4. Applicators: Various styles and diameters available, with extended and micro nozzle options
  5. Flux System: Low maintenance Drop-Jet system with optional water-soluble flux, inerted system, and low solids
  6. Axis Resolution: 0.1mm with repeatability of +/- 0.05mm
  7. Nitrogen Usage: 35 litres gas/min, 5 bar pressure, with purity of 99.995% or better
  8. Power Supplies: Single phase + PE, voltage 208V – 250V, frequency 50/60Hz, power 4kVA
  9. Preheat: Options for IR preheat with varying power requirements
  10. Transport: Hand load with integral adjustable board guides and board clamps
  11. Programming: PillarCOMM Windows® based ‘Point & Click’ interface for easy programming

In summary, both machines offer advanced technical features for selective soldering applications. While both have their own set of benefits and capabilities, the choice between the two would depend on specific manufacturing requirements, production volumes, and the specific needs of the electronic products being manufactured.

make a summary showing the upper hand of nmt intertec

The NMT Inertec CUBE 460 holds a competitive edge in several areas:

  1. Larger PCB Handling: The NMT Inertec CUBE 460 supports a wider range of PCB dimensions (20x20 mm to 460x460 mm) compared to thearhouse machine, offering greater flexibility for various product designs. . Flux System and Preheat Capabilities: The CUBE 460 features a comprehensive flux system with alcohol-based flux, a preheat system using quartz rods, and-side preheat built into the gripper, providing robust soldering preparation options.
  2. Nitrogen Inerting and Process Monitoring:MT Inertec CUBE 460 offers precise nitrogen inerting with recommended quality, lower consumption rates, and a real-time process camera for enhanced process monitoring.
  3. Offline Software and Additional Solder Pot Configurations: The machine provides offline software for easy programming and various pot configurations, including mini wave modules and different nozzle options, enabling versatile and customizable soldering solutions.

These position the NMT Inertec CUBE 460 as a contender for selective soldering applications, especially in scenarios requiring diverse PCB sizes, comprehensive flux preheat capabilities, precise process monitoring, and flexible solder pot configurations.