Fire door PCB assembly support

Offshore Electronics is to provide design for manufacture support and PCB assembly services to Fireco, a supplier and manufacturer of fire door compliance systems.

The move consolidates much of Fireco’s PCBA procurement, with the company having used several suppliers prior to signing its new contract with the Guernsey-based CEM.

Based near Brighton, Fireco’s range has become a staple of modern building safety and compliance since first being introduced in the early 1990s. Despite this success, the product’s circuitry is now in need of a major update to maintain its leading position in the market. The agreement with Offshore –which covers current and future projects throughout 2023 –will also ensure the range’s pro devices work seamlessly with Fireco’s proprietary site manager software.

Fireco’s Dorgard and Freedor products automatically close when a building’s alarm systems are triggered. This allows a business to leave its fire doors open, if desired, while still complying with building regulations. The company has manufactured three variants of this product over almost three decades, but will now incorporate greater functionality into a single all-purpose solution due to be released in 2023.

The agreement comes at a crucial time for both businesses. Fireco has grown significantly since 2020 and is expecting continued significant growth throughout 2023. Offshore, meanwhile, has recently invested in new production machinery, including a Yamaha Z:LEX YSM20R modular pick and place machine, effectively doubling the number of components it can place each month.

Mark Challacombe, Fireco’s Purchasing Manager, says the decision to consolidate PCB assembly was down to Offshore’s ‘extra as standard’ approach. He said: “I’ve worked with many CEMs throughout my career, but the team at Offshore have consistently outperformed their competitors. There’s a wealth of in-house knowledge and an attention to detail that can be lacking with other outsourced partners. I was unable to appoint the company in a previous role and really noticed the difference, so it made sense to bring the company back on board for this important project. Now we have a dedicated partner in tune with Fireco’s plans”.

Dan Attewell, Offshore’s Director, added: “Offshore’s NPI process is proven and will take Fireco’s range to the next level during an important period of growth. Our close supplier relationship will keep the project running to schedule, and a new pick-and-place machine will vastly increase output once we’ve settled on a new board design.

The way CEMs work with customers has changed over the last three years but we’ve always adopted a value-added mindset. It’s validating to see this approach pay off with an exciting new contract”.

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Contract electronics manufacturer Sellectronics has invested in an innovative laser system that will give significant advantage when separating PCBs from the panel.

Laser depaneling is one of the most advanced techniques for cutting and separating PCBs from the panel and is changing how electronic components are manufactured. To ensure production is futureproofed, and products are manufactured to the highest quality, Sellectronics has purchased an LPKF system from Altus.

The LPKF CuttingMaster 2240 system has the capability to laser depanel to the highest tolerances. It offers significant advantages compared to conventional mechanical separation methods thanks to its flexibility and stressfree methods.

Working closely with leading OEMs, Sellectronics sees a wide range of PCB designs that require precise solutions. The LPKF CuttingMaster significantly improves depaneling efficiency with increased cutting speeds of up to 25% on all quality levels depending on the specific application.

Jason O’Connell, Sellectronics Technical Director, said: “Integrating the latest innovative technology and equipment into our operations is fundamental in ensuring we consistently manufacture the very best products and do not miss any business opportunities.

“Sellectronics continue to look at future trends and invest in our