MTEK releases MCell Insertion for robotic handling of electronic components

MTEK Industry AB this week announced the general release of MCell Insertion, which uses collaborative robots, low-cost feeders, and zero-touch programming for inserting electronic components in manufacturing.

Sweden-based MTEK recently emerged from “stealth mode.” The company said its MBrain factory intelligence software and MCell flexible automation system are based on decades of staff experience in manufacturing, supply chains, and machine learning. The products can help accelerate adoption of Industry 4.0 and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), it claimed.

“Our objective is to simplify the route to the smart factory by creating digital building blocks that can be quickly deployed and that deliver real ROI [return on investment],” stated Mattias Andersson, CEO of MTEK. “This first MCell module offers excellent value right out of the box, resolves a specific manufacturing challenge, and requires no programming.”

MTEK designs MCell for speed, affordability

MCell Insertion uses ABB‘s YuMi cobots and can be installed and deployed remotely, which MTEK noted is “ideal in this time of social distancing and isolation” in reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic.

ABB Technology Ventures participated in MTEK’s €2 million ($2.19 million) investment round in January 2020. Industrial automation provider ABB itself recently released the Wizard Easy Programming block-based interface for its single-armed YuMi robot arm.

MCell Insertion can improve quality and consistency, reduce the cost per insertion, and allow for faster product changeovers, said the company.

As software-defined automation, MCell uses MBrain for ease of programming and performance data in small-parts assembly for “unprecedented” precision and repeatability, MTEK said.

“In installations with some of the world’s top EMS [electronic manufacturing services] and OEM companies, MCell has reduced labor costs by more than 70%, even in low-cost regions, delivering fast return on investment,” said the company. “This reduction in labor cost will allow companies to maintain competitive cost levels even when production is reshored to higher-cost geographies.”