“Made in Germany” is a motto that Metz-Werke takes very seriously. To maintain high product quality, and expand production capacity, Metz installed a SIPLACE SX placement machine line.

Metz-Werke installed a SIPLACE SX placement machine line to maintain high product quality and expand production capacity. Photo courtesy Siemens Electronics Assembly Systems GmbH & Co. 


For more than 70 years, Metz-Werke GmbH & Co. KG has manufactured its television sets and photo electronics in Zirndorf, Germany, making it one of the country’s oldest consumer electronics companies. Not surprisingly, “made in Germany” is a motto that Metz-Werke takes very seriously.

To maintain high product quality, and expand production capacity, Metz installed a SIPLACE SX placement machine line made by Siemens Electronics Assembly Systems GmbH & Co. KG. The SIPLACE SX lets the user scale placement performance and capacity independently and on demand.

Metz’ purchase decision was based on two factors: the quality provided by the SIPLACE equipment and that it offered better cost of ownership and more flexibility for future production adjustments than competitors’ products.

“The SIPLACE SX line consists of four SIPLACE SX units, and it delivers exactly the performance we need for our production,” says Karl-Heinz Limbeck, production manager at Metz. “At the same time, the line can be easily scaled up if we need more capacity without requiring us to change the line layout or invest in more machines or more floor space.”

The platform’s key feature is interchangeable gantries that let Metz add, reduce or transfer performance between lines quickly. These self-calibrating, rail-mounted SX gantries can be installed or uninstalled by a single person in less than 30 minutes. To manage temporary demand peaks, the end-user can even rent additional gantries.

The SIPLACE SX platform features interchangeable gantries that can be installed or uninstalled by a single person in less than 30 minutes. Photo courtesy Siemens Electronics Assembly Systems GmbH & Co.

Another important feature is the MultiStar CPP head, which ensures that the line always operates perfectly balanced, even in high-mix environments. This feature removes the need for head changes and increases the line’s overall productivity significantly.

The SIPLACE SX offers maximum feeder slot capacity and nonstop production changeovers. Despite being only 1.5 meters long, the machine provides space for 120 8-millimeter intelligent feeder modules that can be replaced while the machine is running.

The SIPLACE SX also features a digital vision system that recognizes each component individually based on its geometry, color and illumination setting-even with high placement speeds. The vision system stores up to 500 pictures of rejected components for future reference.

For more information about placement platforms, call 888-768-4357 or visit www.siplace.com.