Appel 43.1 - Micro

ADVERTORIAL
COMBINED EXPERTISE IN MOTION CONTROL, ELECTRONICS, SOFTWARE AND
MECHATRONICS UNIQUE IN EUROPE
NTS’ KNOWHOW OF
MECHATRONIC PRINT
SYSTEMS CONSIDERABLY
SHORTENS CUSTOMERS’
TIME-TO-MARKET
System architect Mike Curvers (47) develops printing systems at
NTS. Twenty years ago, he started at a predecessor of NTS. He
saw his professional field change: mechanical machines became
mechatronic, motion control continued to become more important
and the demand for printing flexible, customised series continued
to grow. Moreover, technologies like printing reliefs and Additive
Manufacturing entered the market. The know-how NTS has in the
field of customized printers is unique in the market. “Our knowledge
and experience in the field of motion control, electronics and
mechatronics cannot be found at any other company. That helps our
customers to considerably shorten their time-to-market.”
Mike was already interested in technology at a very early age. During
his study he found electronics especially appealing. In practice he discovered
that he was mainly fascinated by engines and propulsion That is
why Mike chose to start at Te Strake, one of NTS’ predecessors.
“That was twenty years ago,” Mike says: “and now I still work here. In
that time a lot has changed, the company has professionalised a great
deal. Although we were already a forerunner back then when it came
to our machines for textile printing for instance. That was a very innovative
product.”
UNDERSTANDING EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENS
“Back then those machines were entirely mechanical. At a later moment
in time they became mechatronic: a combination between electronics,
software and mechanics. The textile printer is an example of an extensive
project that I have worked on. It is a system printer, motion control
in this case is very complex, the ink needs to end up in the exact right
position. I want to be able to understand what happens exactly and I
want to see that it works.”
FROM CUSTOMER QUESTION TO PROJECT PLAN
AND CONCEPT
“Recently we received a question from a customer that wanted to develop
a bar in which printheads needed to be integrated. At such a moment
we demonstrate the customer what we have already done before
and what our competences are. The customer was enthusiastic, we showed
him what he wanted to see and he chose to work with NTS. After he
had sent us his requirements, we made a project proposal and then you
translate it in a project plan and a concept.”
“We are now working on the next step. We are going to further investigate
the things we have and the aspects that are difficult to develop or
produce. In this process we look at whether it is possible to manufacture
it and whether it is possible to clean all components. The customer does
not have the knowhow to do that himself.”
ROBOTS KULICKE & SOFFA ARE STILL BEING
BUILT
“Another example of a system that I have worked on in the past and that
is still in production, is a robot that we developed for Kulicke & Soffa.