• SMS Associates Private Limited

Virtual Panel Carriers

SMS Associates offers Virtual Panel Carrier, VPC. It is a groundbreaking substrate centring and carrier technology that enables multiple component support and alignment during screen printing and all subsequent assembly processes. Traditional carrier technology used for processing small components generally requires individual component alignment and processing or the use of specialised and costly custom tooling to bring components into common alignment for printing. With all of the current systems, separate alignment processes for each component must be carried out at every process stage, thus resulting in less than ideal throughput and expense. Once this alignment occurs, no further adjustment is required for any of the subsequent assembly processes. Through a unique design that consists of a base carrier with a low-maintenance consumable foil, the VPC provides the stability, centring and alignment capabilities required to process multiple substrates or components in a single panel, dramatically improving throughput. Parts are placed in the carrier either manually or loaded with a placement system. Substrates are held in the carrier via a patented 4-sided tensioning mechanism and then aligned within the carrier using an innovative centring system. Parts are referenced using two global fiducials - as opposed to individual component fiducials - thus enabling the easy transfer of VPC throughout all assembly processes. The system is also scalable, allowing manufacturers to adjust component quantity for individual processing requirements.