An Interview With Scott Rushia from MARTIN GmbH

Publication date: 17 June 2010

An Interview With Scott Rushia from MARTIN GmbH

MARTIN GmbH, based in Wessling, Germany, has been developing, manufacturing and selling Rework and Dispensing systems for the repair and production of electronic assemblies for almost 30 years. MARTIN is among the leading suppliers of rework, reballing and dispensing technologies, providing innovative, cost-sensitive solutions. We recently caught up with Scott Rushia, sales manager, to find out what’s new with MARTIN GmbH.

What is MARTIN’s background? The company has been in the electronics assembly industry for close to 30 years. How has MARTIN grown and changed since it was first founded? What has stayed the same within the company, and why?

Bernhard Martin started the company in 1982. While he was still studying for his Graduate Engineer’s Degree, Bernhard developed the first European Adhesive Volume Measuring Device and used this innovation to start his career. Numerous developments and patents followed in the fields of dispensing and rework. Over the years he expanded the range of equipment by introducing complementing units and well-rounded systems. Today MARTIN GmbH is among the market leaders in its field and is represented internationally by a tightly woven sales network.

Last year, FINETECH acquired MARTIN. How has that changed the company and what benefits does the acquisition bring to customers?

In 2009 FINETECH GmbH, Berlin acquired Martin GmbH, including its products, technologies and staff. FINETECH thus expanded its product range with manual soldering, cost-effective rework systems, as well as adding precision dispensing units. Martin GmbH will remain a freestanding organization and continue to offer its products and services. MARTIN will carry on with technological developments and provide equipment that suits current and future market requirements. The commitment to high quality and reliability remains unquestioned.

MARTIN is unique in that it offers both rework and dispensing capabilities. How does this differentiate the company from its competition?

Martin’s experienced engineers specialize in dispensing and reworking. The aim is to advise customers on technical matters while at the same time optimizing different processes with test runs. Our application laboratory enables prospective customers to discover and evaluate complex dispensing and/or reworking technologies. With this knowledge Martin is able to assist customers with removal, dispensing, and replacement ― not just one or the other.

What is the main product platform for your rework technology? For your dispensing technology? Please provide a brief description of each and explain why these products are innovative.

MARTIN Expert 10.6 XL

The Expert 10.6XL is a unique rework system that combines IR radiation with convection heating, using a powerful 5000 W hybrid under-heater. The unit is especially suitable for the repair of large PCBs, such as high value server boards. The consistency of performance shows board temperature variations under 10 degrees across panels up to 490 x 600 mm. A camera-driven alignment system provides error-free accuracy from pre-alignment to component placement.

MARTIN Dot Liner 06.6

Designed for small batches and rework, this precise, micro dispenser can handle a variety of components, without custom stencils or fixtures. The programmable gantry system guarantees consistency and accuracy. The CamDesigner software automatically calculates the correct position and dispensing volume for each pad, and the Easy Dispense software does the rest. Without nozzle change, dots in the range of 1:30 can be deposited with +/-3 percent consistency for dots as small as 0.13 mm. The system also is capable of line dispensing and underfill.

We understand that hybrid technology is now appearing in rework. What does this mean and how does it affect the rework process? How is MARTIN meeting this challenge?

2009 saw the appearance of hybrid technology into the realms of rework. MARTIN’s new under-heater works with IR radiation and is supported by a gentle flow of hot air. The result is an optimized temperature distribution, which enables boards with reflective surfaces (ceramic, copper, gold) to be processed with greater ease. This technology is used in the 10.6 and 10.6XL systems.

What is one of the newest trends that you have seen in the demands on the rework world?

We have seen a large increase in the number of customer requests to reball BGA packages and solder bump QFN/MLF devices. There are many commercially available reballing kits available, each allowing solder balls to be placed in a stencil. But it is how they are then reflowed that varies. Typically, there have been two widely used solutions ― ovens and rework systems. We have developed a unique, standalone solution that does not unnecessarily tie up the rework system or oven. It is simple, cost-effective and very easy to use.

MARTIN’s Auto-Vision-Expert is a popular product, and is said to be the worldwide standard for mobile phone rework and repair. Why is this the case? What does the product provide that others cannot?
With the introduction of the new Auto-Vision-Expert 09.5 in 2005, MARTIN achieved remarkable success. After almost a thousand units sold of the previous model this enhanced version quickly became the world-wide standard for the rework and repair of mobile phones.

Is MARTIN currently working on any new product introductions? If so, can you give us any details about what will be hitting the market?

Martin will continue to enhance the current portfolio of rework and dispense equipment to meet and exceed customer expectations. Emphasis will be placed on the latest components and applications that customers need to succeed. As far as any new equipment, you will just have to wait and see…