IZUMI High-Speed Cable Flexible Automated Production Line

From Rigid Batches to Agile Flow

The customer is a top connector manufacturer in the world that required the professional expertise of MIJOINT to help realize the flexible production capacity of equipment. Please refer to the following case study to learn how our engineers identified the optimal solution for the customer.

  

Processes

These processes include UV laser + bending module, foil removal, CO₂ laser, dielectric removal, pre-forming & final trimming, soldering, and dispensing.

  

Challenge

The customer expected the equipment to support two operation modes: standalone mode for orders featuring multi-variety and small batch, and integrated line mode for mass production. It should allow to be flexibly configured according to order demands to achieve true flexible production.

  

Evaluation

On one hand, the lack of a flexible production mode leads to severe loss of customer resources. On the other hand, the wide variety of dedicated equipment necessitate constant purchase of new equipment, which would bring about idle equipment and increased production costs.

  

Solutions

We analyzed the customer’s current product range, manufacturing processes, and existing equipment. Based on the their needs, we formulated a solution suitable for their factory. Below are the steps for our project solution:

1. Solution evaluation & process verification → finalized the design proposal → completed 3D design with review to finalize the design → BOM release & material procurement → entered the manufacturing phase.

2. During the manufacturing phase, engineers conducted standardized defining and design for the key modules, unifying their external frame, positioning benchmark, and electronic control programs, enabling the standardized platform to accommodate the core process modules of the wire preparing section.

3. We configured an independent program system for each workstation that can be called with one click, enabling switching the corresponding program with one click while changing modules.

4. Each individual machine was rapidly interconnected via aviation plugs.

5. Finally, we completed equipment assembly and debugging and delivered the goods after passing the qualification.

   

Results

Finally, we’ve developed a standardized production line platform supporting quick changeover and flexible production. Equipment cycle time was reduced from 30s to 20s, with an improvement of 33.33%; Changeover time was shortened from 2 days to 8 hours, with a reduction of 66.67%; Labor requirement was reduced from 40 people to 30 people per shift, saving 10 people.

  

Performance Indicator

Before Improvement

After Improvement

Improvement Range/Effect

Cycle Time (CT)

30s/pcs

20s/pcs

Productivity increased by 33.33%

Changeover Time

2 days

8 h

Changeover time reduced by 66.67%

Labor Configuration

40 HC/shift

30 HC/shift

10 people saved per shift, reducing labor cost by 25%

Related Products

Comprehensive automation equipment and systems designed to optimize your manufacturing processes

X2242 AJ Semi-Automatic Pin Insertion Machine

X2242 AJ Semi-Automatic Pin Insertion Machine

Aiming at the problems of low efficiency and inconsistent quality of traditional manual pin insertion. This semi-automatic equipment has the functions of left terminal pin insertion and Detect1 terminal cutting & pin insertion. Among them, the material picking module is responsible for feeding, and the material picking and terminal shaking module takes out the left terminal and Detect1 terminal; then, the pin insertion module clamps the terminals from the gripper and inserts them into the HSG.

G20 Micro Switch Automatic Line

G20 Micro Switch Automatic Line

This equipment effectively solves low yield, high scrap rate, difficult model change, and high-skilled labor reliance in traditional production. Integrating shrapnel assembly, finished product assembly, and inspection & packaging, it uses a 6-axis robot for flexible assembly (reducing deformation risk) and CCD systems for auto-identification/verification, compatible with over 80 SKUs. After performance tests and laser marking, it offers optional tray/bulk packaging for efficient, flexible automated production.

B901

B901

This equipment features a mold capable of bending and cutting products; its LLCR workstation measures the contact resistance of four terminals on the product; it also incorporates an iron shell assembly station and an electronic drop-plate station, employing a CCD visual electronic drop-plate method to inspect terminal alignment.

J271

J271

To resolve issues like cumbersome processes, quality fluctuations, and high dependence on skilled labor, the equipment enables automatic assembly of the center iron plate with IM1 & IM2. Its operation processes are as follows:

1. Center Iron Plate & IM1/IM2 Automatic Assembly

Center iron plate auto-feeding → Small iron plate feeding → IM2 auto-assembly → Small iron plate auto-assembly → IM1 auto-assembly → Material tape exits via track → Connect to EMI welding machine

2. EMI Automatic Assembly & Spot Welding Process

Receive products from 3-in-1 auto-assembly machine → Upper EMI: Cutting, positioning & assembly → Spot welding → Lower EMI: Cutting, positioning & assembly → Spot welding → AOI inspection → Defective product cutting → Finished product collection

SAS Auto Line

SAS Auto Line

This series represents traditional high-speed connectors, featuring complex manufacturing processes and stringent precision requirements. It meets customer demands for efficient, high-quality, production with multiple part numbers. The equipment performs F/N assembly, cutting, and bending of contact pins for 15-pin, 6-pin, 2+3-pin, 7-pin, and 35-pin terminals. Utilizes CCD visual inspection to measure product dimensions, automatically sorting defective products into designated bins. Good products undergo CAP assembly followed by tape packaging. Fully automated assembly with one-button flexible production switching is achieved.

D325 Automatic Clip contact pin machine

D325 Automatic Clip contact pin machine

Addressing the inefficiencies, high defect rates, and management challenges associated with traditional equipment reliant on manual operations, this equipment resolves these issues through full automation, vision-guided operation, and high-precision control. The equipment's process sequence is as follows: The equipment receives trays of contact pins for insertion, performing part retrieval and secondary positioning. One contact pin module performs two insertion operations on the product, simultaneously meeting a  CT requirement of 3.5 seconds per piece. Contact pins utilize CCD visual imaging to detect insertion positions, with the visual system guiding the servo module to perform terminal pin insertion; post-insertion products undergo tape folding, secondary pressing, and inspection.

Let's Start the Conversation!