Altus Group Ltd

Our new 3D AOI Koh Young Technology, Inc. machines with Altus Group Ltd KSMART software inspect PCBs in real time as they leave the SMT line, spotting any minor errors so that everything runs smoothly. #SMTline #PCBs #PCBTesting #AOI

'AI' is a buzzword used by many in electronics manufacturing, but most think it will either steal there job, is a pipe dream for the future, or has no value for them yet as there are no tangible applications. The truth is that some forms of AI have been integrated into many manufacturing solutions for many years already, however the types of AI and the applications to deploy AI have become more and more exciting, as the computing power has advanced and the quality and quantity of data collected have grown. In this article, we have tried to explain how AI is the key to unlocking new levels of automation, and what the very top tier manufacturers are aiming for, as well as highlighting some of the types of AI that are already in production today and what they are used for. If you want to find out more about AI and the applications around inspection get in touch wtih me or Anthony Oh today. Thanks Koh Young Europe GmbH & Michael Zahn for helping shape the ideas too! Altus Group Ltd

Product traceability is a critical topic for many in manufacturing, but a vast number of UK & Irish CEMs are still spending large manual labour costs to manually stick labels on every customer board before they hit their SMT line?! But the tides are turning and the wave of interest growing! This year we have had a very large number of customers researching the Laser Marking process given the relatively low CAPEX cost, and incredibly high ROI on the investment that can completely automate marketing both panel and unique PCB code on top and bottom side. In YJ Link we have one of the very best Laser Marking machines on the market, a 2nd generation unit that comes with many of the must have options as standard rather than expensive additions. ·       Keyence Laser head which is one of the best in the business ·       Fiducial recognition as standard ·       Fume extraction unit as standard ·       Key mark function as standard- preventing wrong PCBs from coming in. ·       Internal flip as standard within the unit- we can mark top and bottom and panel codes without the board leaving the cell!! ·       Brand new GUI on Win 10 ·       Optional Marking Grading- using an internal barcode reader in the system to ensure the mark reading quality which is programable. If you are interested about researching the process and having some samples marked, we would be pleased to hear from you! YJ Link headquarters, YJ LINK https://lnkd.in/ehCnYQRK

Last week, we were fortunate to have Nick Hurrell, an Altus Group Ltd engineer on site all week, conducting Koh Young Technology, Inc. AOI training. He also installed our new Quins machine, and delivered training to Active-PCB staff who will be using the system.   The Quins system is a first article and UV bench-top inspection system, which will aid our conventional and final inspection processes, streamlining the PCB production process further.   A big thank you to Nick for delivering the training! For more information, check out our new blog article about the Quins system: https://lnkd.in/e3VhSXP8

Our customers always ask us what is available to be seen here in the UK or what is available for quick delivery, so take a look at our processes available immediately here. Maybe you are exploring a new process, or just looking for an immediately available upgrade? We have an opportunity for you to grab some incredible deals on demo stock available immediately from our Head Office in Redditch. Whether you're aiming to have a demonstration, run application validation, or upgrade your existing setup get in touch with the Altus Team today! Here's a glimpse of what's on offer: ·       Koh Young 3D AOI & 3D SPI: Elevate your quality control with advanced inspection technology from Koh Young. ·       Essemtec SMT Assembly (Multifunction Unit – Dispense and P &P): Experience versatility with multifunction units capable of dispensing, pick-and-place, and NPI reflow. ·       Asscon VP1000 & VP510 Vapour Phase: Achieve precise soldering results with state of the art vapour phase equipment. ·       YJ Link Handling & Laser Marker: Streamline your production line with efficient handling solutions and precise laser marking capabilities. ·       Scienscope X-ray Counter: Ensure accuracy in component counting with advanced X-ray technology. Scienscope Good In Table and Smart Racking: Streamline goods in capabilities and manage your component inventory with smart storage solutions. ·       Quins Inspection Unit: From FAI to UV inspection, Quins has you covered with comprehensive inspection capabilities. ·       Robotic Soldering - 9544 CJ Pro: Enhance soldering efficiency and consistency with robotic solutions. ·       Optilia HD Inspection: Experience unparalleled clarity in inspection with high definition imaging technology. ·       MP Dry Cabinet Storage: Protect your sensitive components from moisture damage with reliable dry cabinet storage solutions. ·       Magic Ray THT Inspection: Ensure the quality of through-hole components with advanced inspection technology.

Fantastic to see this brand new 1809 MK7 up and running in the UK 🙌 This unit is an 8 zone system, with the customer upgrading from a 7 zone unit for more control of their profiling and slightly increased throughput capacity. The Heller MK7 is one of the most sustainable energy conserving systems in the market. The insulation is so good, it’s difficult to tell it’s on!! Thanks Joe Balackyi and András Kozma for all the help from Heller Industries Altus Group Ltd

We are delighted to announce a new addition to the Altus Group Team, as we continue to bolster our talent across the company and our ability to support customers. Welcome Ella Gwilliam! Ella brings a wealth of experience to Altus, having previously worked in resource planning within the technology sector. Her background includes close collaboration with customers to assess issues and coordinating with engineering teams to deliver effective solutions. This experience will be invaluable as Altus continues its rapid growth and expands its network of partnerships.    Altus has seen sustained growth, with the number of machines supported by the company increasing year on year. The company is adding over 100 new machines annually, servicing both existing and new customers. Ella’s addition to the team is part of Altus’s broader strategy to bolster their operations and planning capabilities, ensuring they maintain high standards of support as their business evolves.     “Ella’s arrival marks an important step forward for our Aftersales and Engineering Support teams,” said Mike Todd, Operations and Planning Manager at Altus. “We’re pleased to have her on board, and I’m confident she will make a significant impact on the support side of our business.    “At Altus, we set the highest standards for customer service, and efficient operations and planning are vital to ensuring satisfaction, successful project delivery, and quick recovery from breakdowns. With the addition of Ella to the team, we are better equipped to handle the increasing demands as we continue to take on larger, more complex projects with a growing customer base. This is a strong move for our future!”    Ella’s ongoing onboarding process will equip her with a thorough understanding of Altus’ processes, so that she is ready to hit the ground running. Her addition represents just one of many new hires aimed at supporting Altus’s continued modernization and growth. 

Product traceability is a critical topic for many in manufacturing, but a vast number of UK & Irish CEMs are still spending large manual labour costs to manually stick labels on every customer board before they hit their SMT line?! But the tides are turning and the wave of interest growing! This year we have had a very large number of customers researching the Laser Marking process given the relatively low CAPEX cost, and incredibly high ROI on the investment that can completely automate marketing both panel and unique PCB code on top and bottom side. In YJ Link we have one of the very best Laser Marking machines on the market, a 2nd generation unit that comes with many of the must have options as standard rather than expensive additions. ·       Keyence Laser head which is one of the best in the business ·       Fiducial recognition as standard ·       Fume extraction unit as standard ·       Key mark function as standard- preventing wrong PCBs from coming in. ·       Internal flip as standard within the unit- we can mark top and bottom and panel codes without the board leaving the cell!! ·       Brand new GUI on Win 10 ·       Optional Marking Grading- using an internal barcode reader in the system to ensure the mark reading quality which is programable. If you are interested about researching the process and having some samples marked, we would be pleased to hear from you! https://lnkd.in/ehCnYQRK

The team & I have had a great week in Portugal!! This week we spent time at the Koh young product update meeting, a chance for all the european network to get together, share learnings, and plan for the future. It has been another great year for Altus Group Ltd of new customers implementing our units, and repeat business expanding their capabilities for inspection in the UK & Ireland. 2025 you can expect big things and many exciting releases that will impact both our existing users and prospective ones…. Watch this space 🙌 Thanks always to the team at Koh Young and specifically Harald Eppinger, Solin Ahmad, Simon Körner & Birgit Merget-Münch for your planning. Koh Young Europe GmbH, Koh Young Technology, Inc.

Are you looking for ways to be more sustainable or saved some of your value BGAs?! Altus Group in partnership with Essemtec, has introduced an advanced BGA re-balling solution to address the electronics industry's growing focus on sustainability and cost-efficiency. Developed by their pre-eminent supplier, Essemtec, this innovative process offers manufacturers a new approach to component recovery and reuse, aligning with increasing market demands for environmentally conscious practices. Building on their expertise in adaptive SMT equipment, Essemtec has designed a cutting-edge BGA re-balling process that consolidates flux deposition, ball placement, and soldering into a single streamlined solution. This all-in-one approach is particularly advantageous for high-volume OEMs and companies in sectors such as military, aerospace, computing, and communication, providing a cost-effective and sustainable method for component recovery and reuse. Jiri Kucera, Operations Director at Altus Group, said: "Reworking BGAs, recovery of expensive parts, and re-use is becoming a highly discussed topic across the electronics industry as consumers become more interested in sustainability. This is another example of Essemtec developing a process to meet the needs of the market." The new robotic process offers several advantages over traditional manual methods: 1. Increased precision and reliability. 2. Support for various ball sizes (250 µm to 1 mm+) and materials. 3. Improved success rates compared to manual stencil techniques. 4. Cost-effective reuse of expensive BGA components. Jiri added, "Companies are already using the Essemtec jetting unit for BGA re-balling across a range of pitched components, giving partners the power to bring some of the recovery processes back in-house rather than outsource to partners at a higher cost." This solution is particularly relevant for organisations prioritising environmental impact and sustainability. By extending the lifecycle of electronic components, the process contributes to waste reduction and promotes a more circular economy in electronics manufacturing. Altus sees this technology as a significant step in meeting the electronic industry's evolving needs. As sustainability continues to gain importance, solutions like this will play a crucial role in shaping the future of electronics manufacturing and repair. https://lnkd.in/eJDgyZNH Robert Murphy, Essemtec