Mycronic SMT Solutions – Z-AXIS, a growing provider of electronic design and manufacturing services, is increasing capacity, reducing downtime, and improving high-mix throughput with equipment from Mycronic, a leading provider of electronic manufacturing solutions. A recent article from Mycronic describes how Z-AXIS is using its new equipment to improve printed circuit board (PCB) assembly with surface mount technology (SMT) components.
Z-AXIS has been a Mycronic customer for over 25 years. Under the leadership of Michael Allen, president and co-owner, the company has grown rapidly and welcomed complex, high mix jobs in batch sizes ranging from 25 to 4,000 boards. When Z-AXIS’s production needs began to exceed the capabilities of its equipment set, Allen decided to invest in solutions that could reduce production bottlenecks while increasing speed, accuracy, and operational control without adding extra shifts.
There are other suppliers of electronics manufacturing equipment, but Allen selected Mycronic and its new generation of pick-and-place machines, stencil printers, and storage systems. The MYPro A40DX pick-and-place machines that Z-AXIS installed as part of its new high-speed third SMT line combine speed, precision and flexibility – and without hiring workers or adding shifts.
“When we ran the first big job on the A40s and saw that instead of taking three days it took two, that was an impressive thing,” Allen said.
Z-AXIS also invested in MYPro S30 stencil printers, allowing the company to standardize all its production lines using Mycronic printing technology. To ensure consistent setups and operations across all SMT lines, Z-AXIS uses two connected software applications: MYCenter for production data preparation and MYPlan for planning and scheduling. The investments didn’t stop there.
Installing four Mycronic automated storage towers has enabled Z-AXIS to improve inventory accuracy and support quick, clean workflows. Instead of spending hours hunting for parts and risking line stoppages, Z-AXIS enjoys the benefits of automated kitting, replenishment, and reel retrieval. It’s all part of the electronics manufacturer’s commitment to continuous improvement.
“Z-AXIS moves fast and sets a high bar for efficiency, so our job is to be there the moment they need us,” said Liz Morrill, Regional Sales Manager at Mycronic.
