Orbit Technologies accelerates growth and doubles production capacity with Europlacer iineo placement machine.

Orbit Technologies Ltd, a UK-based contract electronics manufacturer, has reported significant operational and business improvements following its investment in Europlacer surface-mount technology (SMT) equipment, including the recent installation of an iineo+ pick-and-place system.  

Highlights:

• 500% increase in turnover since switching to Europlacer technology
• Job cycle times roughly halved – processes that took around an hour now complete in about 30 minutes
• Panel throughput up from fewer than 6 to between 15 and 20 panels per hour
• Output increased from around 60 to over 100 units per shift
• Improved placement accuracy and a corresponding reduction in rework
• Faster setup and job changeover times, enabling greater operational flexibility
• Expanded customer base, won largely through word of mouth rather than active marketing
• ISO 9001:2015 accreditation achieved through improved quality, traceability and consistency

The company, founded in 1990, has progressively modernized its production capabilities in response to evolving customer requirements and increasing product complexity. Prior to its latest investment in Europlacer, Orbit Technologies relied on legacy placement equipment, which, while proving reliable, had now become a limiting factor in both efficiency and flexibility as the business grew. 

According to Managing Director David Richards, the earlier production setup required a considerable level of manual intervention. 

“At that time, we were running two older machines… they could not place all components, which meant a significant amount of work still had to be completed by hand,” he says.  

This reliance on manual assembly, not only extended production times but also constrained throughput and introduced quality variability. An initial step towards modernization came in 2021 with the acquisition of an Access 4 system, which improved capability and enabled the company to take on additional work. However, as Richards notes, the pace of technological development in SMT meant further investment was required. 

The installation of a Europlacer iineo+ system in March 2024 marked a further step change in performance. The company reports that production efficiency has improved significantly across multiple metrics. Typical job cycle times have been reduced by approximately half, with processes that previously required around an hour now completed in roughly 30 minutes.

Panel throughput has increased substantially, rising from fewer than six panels per hour to between 15 and 20 panels per hour.

 At the same time, output on specific assemblies has increased from around 60 units per shift to over 100 units per shift, demonstrating a marked improvement in line productivity.

Richards emphasizes that the benefits extend beyond throughput alone, particularly in the context of high-mix electronics manufacturing.

“Since installing the iineo+, the impact on our business has been very significant,” he explains. 

In addition to cycle time reductions, the company reports improvements in placement accuracy and a corresponding reduction in rework. Faster setup and changeover times have also contributed to increased operational flexibility, enabling Orbit Technologies to manage a wider variety of assemblies more efficiently, from relatively simple boards to more complex, component-dense products.

“The iineo+ has given us greater capacity, improved placement quality, faster setup times, quicker job changeovers, and higher throughput,” adds David Richards.

This combination of performance and flexibility has had a direct impact on business results. Orbit Technologies reports a five-fold increase in turnover since investing in Europlacer equipment, supported by improved responsiveness to customer demand and the ability to take on additional work. 

The company has also expanded its customer base, with new business largely generated through word of mouth rather than active marketing. This, according to Richards, reflects the importance of consistent performance and reliability in building long-term customer relationships. Improvements in quality, traceability and consistency have also been instrumental in the company achieving ISO 9001:2015 accreditation.

“The iineo+ system has been so easy to use… it has helped us switch from one job to the next quickly, save time on rework, increase throughput, and deliver a better service to our customers,” he says.

Alongside equipment performance, Orbit Technologies highlights the role of supplier support in its decision to continue investing in Europlacer solutions. The company reports that support has extended across both current and legacy equipment, contributing to continuity of operations and reducing downtime risks.

Looking ahead, Orbit Technologies is continuing to invest in its SMT production line. The company has ordered a Europlacer ii-P7 inline stencil printer, replacing an older system as part of ongoing efforts to improve process consistency and overall manufacturing capability.

More broadly, the company has strengthened its position as a flexible CEM capable of supporting a wide range of applications, offering services including fast-turnaround SMT assembly, turnkey manufacturing, engineering support, and product finishing.

With upgraded equipment, increased capacity, and improved operational efficiency, Orbit Technologies is positioning itself for continued growth while maintaining the flexibility required in high-mix, low-to-medium volume manufacturing environments