On this page:
WAGO at Work Recommended Reading

Customer application
Wiring Electrical Systems – Eliminate Maintenance and Save Time

Drilling holes precisely and at high speed – this is the essential requirement the CNC drilling machines from Schmoll Maschinen GmbH have to meet.

The machines produced by this mid-sized company are used globally in electronics manufacturing. Numerous electronic devices, from smartphones to flat screen TVs, contain PCBs that were manufactured using this equipment. When wiring the electrical systems, Schmoll relies on TOPJOB® S Rail-Mount Terminal Blocks with push-in spring pressure connection technology from WAGO.

The Benefits of WAGO for You:

  • The right actuation variant of WAGO’s preassembled TOPJOB® S Rail-Mount Terminal Blocks is available for any application

  • Reliable, easy, intuitive handling with Push-in CAGE CLAMP®

  • The WAGO Smart Printer prints marking strips in seconds

The Victory of Electronics

Since the first transistor was developed in 1948, electronics conquered many domains of technology. The foundation of most electronic devices is printed circuit boards, on which the circuits are produced using photochemical methods. Fast and precise CNC drilling machines are used to create the holes for through contacts in the PCBs. Schmoll Maschinen GmbH, which offers CNC drilling machines like the Speedmaster HDI, is among the leading global manufacturers of such equipment.

This mid-sized company has its headquarters in Rödermark, near Frankfurt am Main, employs around 200 employees and manufactures up to 600 machines per year. “The primary market segment for our equipment is in Asia,” explains Markus Winterschladen, executive assistant at Schmoll, “which is why an additional 200 employees work in Asia in the sales and services subsidiaries,“ The CNC machines are available with different features and up to six stations, which process the printed circuit boards simultaneously during operation.

factory_referenz_schmoll_maschine_speedmaster_bohrmaschiene_2000x1500.jpg

The Speedmaster CNC drilling machine from Schmoll Maschinen bores holes in PCBs at high speed and with great precision.

300,000 Revolutions per Minute

The constant drive for miniaturization in electronics has also increased the demands placed on the machines. They have to drill both quickly and with high precision. In addition, they have to compensate for any unevenness present in the PCBs. “The spindles rotate at up to 300,000 rpms,” says Winterschladen, “and drill not only quickly, but extremely precisely as well.” The smallest holes that can be made using the machines have a diameter of a mere 30 µm, with a precision better than 2 µm.

Optimized Manufacturing in Machine Building

Schmoll competes primarily with machine designers from Asia. “One reason that the company is competitive is that the design is constantly being optimized for maximum production efficiency.”According to Winterschladen, “A standard machine passes through our facility in around nine to ten days.” This short manufacturing time can only be achieved through the modularization of equipment design and the use of preassembled components. Following delivery, the machine bed, which is made from granite, has to be tempered for one day. The mechanical system of the machine is constructed before the employees begin wiring all of the components. The power supplies and all signals are connected using rail-mount terminal blocks.

The ready-made electronics components are delivered from an external vendor. “These modules form the core of our machines,” explains Torsten Thom, head of the electrical workshop at Schmoll. Due to the modular structure, each machine has similar electronic components. “The exact configuration of the machine is carried out through the wiring,” says Thom. The conductors, which are also delivered ready-made, are marked and color-coded. This makes wiring very easy, and it can be carried out with corresponding speed.

factory_referenz_schmoll_schaltschrank_reihenklemmen_2000x1500.jpg

The electronics assembly is central to the CNC drilling machines.

Spring Pressure Connection Technology instead of Screws

Until around three years ago, Schmoll used standard rail-mount terminal blocks with screw-clamp connections for its machines. “Since we are always looking for improvements in design and simplification in our manufacturing, we tested the TOPJOB® S Rail-Mount Terminal Blocks from WAGO for our electrical systems,” says Winterschladen. One of essential advantages of the TOPJOB® S Rail-Mount Terminal Blocks is the spring pressure connection technology, which does not require screws. An optimal connection is thus always guaranteed. “Screw connection technology always depends on how firmly the screws are tightened,” recalls Thom. Accidental loosening of screws due to vibration, which can occur during transport, is now prevented due to the use of the new maintenance-free TOPJOB® S Rail-Mount Terminal Blocks. “Previously, errors caused in part by poorly tightened screws had to be remedied by our service employees during commissioning at the customer’s facility,” says Winterschladen, citing a disadvantage of the old screw connection technology.

When changing the processes in the manufacturing line, it is always important that the employees affected by the change also participate in the decision. “Therefore, we brought everyone on board during the first tests using the TOPJOB® S Rail-Mount Terminal Blocks,” says Thom, explaining the conversion strategy. Even if there was some initial skepticism, it very quickly turned to overwhelmingly positive feedback from the employees. The wiring can now be accomplished faster thanks to the spring pressure connection technology. Above all, the quality of the connection no longer depends on how firmly the worker tightened the screws.

The terminals blocks form the core of our machines.

Torsten Thom

Head of the electrical workshop at Schmoll Maschinen GmbH

Signal Adaptation – Easily and without Additional Components

Through terminal blocks, as well as double-deck and triple-deck terminal blocks, are used for wiring various cable cross-sections in the electronic components of the CNC drilling machines. In addition, so-called component connectors are also used. These allow passive components such as resistors and diodes, as well as small circuitry, to be inserted directly into suitable carrier terminal blocks. Signal adaptation can thus be realized easily without additional components. The multilevel terminal blocks save a great deal of spaces and make the electrical assembly very compact. All rail-mount terminal blocks can be provided with continuous marking strips, which are printed using a thermal transfer printer from WAGO. Uniform marking ensures clear organization, which makes the wiring that much safer. “In contrast to the multilevel terminal blocks that we previously used, there are now marking strips for all levels, which really contributes to efficiency,” states Thom. “It took a bit of getting used to, but we are really satisfied with the new solution.”

Higher Level of Customer Satisfaction as the Goal

“We require exceptional quality in the machines produced in our manufacturing facilities,” emphasizes Winterschladen. After assembly and set up, each machine undergoes an internal service approval. Finally, the machine must complete an overnight functional test, in which the tool changing function is extensively tested. “This simulates an operational period of around three months,” explains Winterschladen. After delivery, Schmoll service workers commission the machine at the customer’s facility. Speed is also of essence here, so production can begin as soon as possible. “The new TOPJOB® S Terminal Blocks in the electrical systems of our machines provide benefits specifically for commissioning,” says Markus Winterschladen with confidence. Screw connections, which would loosen during transport, are now a thing of the past.

Author: Tarak Viol, WAGO GmbH & Co. KG

Product Overview

3-conductor through terminal block; with lever and push-button; 2.5 mm²; with test port; side and center marking; for DIN-rail 35 x 15 and 35 x 7.5; Push-in CAGE CLAMP®; 2,50 mm²; gray

Item no.: 2102-5301

3-conductor through terminal block ; with lever and push-button ; 2.5 mm² ; with ...

3-conductor through terminal block; with lever and Push-in CAGE CLAMP®; 2.5 mm²; with test port; side and center marking; for DIN-rail 35 x 15 and 35 x 7.5; Push-in CAGE CLAMP®; 2,50 mm²; gray

Item no.: 2102-1301

3-conductor through terminal block ; with lever and Push-in CAGE CLAMP® ; 2.5 mm² ; ...

3-conductor through terminal block; with lever and Push-in CAGE CLAMP®; 6 mm²; with test port; side and center marking; for DIN-rail 35 x 15 and 35 x 7.5; Push-in CAGE CLAMP®; 6,00 mm²; gray

Item no.: 2106-1301

3-conductor through terminal block ; with lever and Push-in CAGE CLAMP® ; 6 mm² ; ...

2-conductor through terminal block; with push-button; 1 mm²; with test port; side and center marking; for DIN-rail 35 x 15 and 35 x 7.5; Push-in CAGE CLAMP®; 1,00 mm²; gray

Item no.: 2200-1201

2-conductor through terminal block ; with push-button ; 1 mm² ; with test port ; ...

2-conductor through terminal block; with lever and push-button; 2.5 mm²; with test port; side and center marking; for DIN-rail 35 x 15 and 35 x 7.5; Push-in CAGE CLAMP®; 2,50 mm²; gray

Item no.: 2102-5201

2-conductor through terminal block ; with lever and push-button ; 2.5 mm² ; with ...

2-conductor through terminal block; with lever and Push-in CAGE CLAMP®; 2.5 mm²; with test port; side and center marking; for DIN-rail 35 x 15 and 35 x 7.5; Push-in CAGE CLAMP®; 2,50 mm²; gray

Item no.: 2102-1201

2-conductor through terminal block ; with lever and Push-in CAGE CLAMP® ; 2.5 mm² ; ...

Multilevel installation terminal block; with operating slots; 2.5 mm²; with N-disconnect slide link; NT/L/PE; Push-in CAGE CLAMP®; 2,50 mm²; gray

Item no.: 2003-7641

Multilevel installation terminal block ; with operating slots ; 2.5 mm² ; with ...

2-conductor ground terminal block; 2.5 mm²; suitable for Ex e II applications; side and center marking; for DIN-rail 35 x 15 and 35 x 7.5; Push-in CAGE CLAMP®; 2,50 mm²; green-yellow

Item no.: 2002-1207

2-conductor ground terminal block ; 2.5 mm² ; suitable for Ex e II applications ; ...

Double-deck terminal block; Through/through terminal block; L/L; without marker carrier; suitable for Ex e II applications; for DIN-rail 35 x 15 and 35 x 7.5; 2.5 mm²; Push-in CAGE CLAMP®; 2,50 mm²; gray

Item no.: 2002-2201

Double-deck terminal block ; Through/through terminal block ; L/L ; without marker ...

Multilevel installation terminal block; with operating slots; 2.5 mm²; L/L; Push-in CAGE CLAMP®; 2,50 mm²; gray

Item no.: 2003-7642

Multilevel installation terminal block ; with operating slots ; 2.5 mm² ; L/L ; ...

WAGO at Work

Customer Applications from the Area of Production Technology

As a partner and innovation leader, WAGO implements many interesting projects. Learn more about our creative and efficient production technology solutions.

Customer Application

Playing It Safe with the Power Supply

To monitor its production equipment, Schaeffler uses fieldbus couplers from WAGO, which make fault message processing significantly more elegant.

factory_fliessband_maschinen_laufbaender_2000x1500.jpg
Customer Application

Savings with Spring Clamps

For construction of control cabinets, F.EE GmbH has relied on the innovative clamping technology from WAGO since the 1980s for fast, maintenance-free installation.

factory_referenz_fee_wago_reihenklemmen_verdrahtung_2000x1500.jpg
Customer Application

The Right Automation for Modular Machines

Specialized machine construction demands modular solutions for connecting actuators and sensors. WAGO’s product range is attuned to these demands.

factory_fliessband_motoren_2000x1500.jpg

Recommended Reading

More Solutions

WAGO’s automation and electrical interconnection technologies are not only represented in production technology. Learn what solutions WAGO offers in other industries.

Power Engineering

Into the Digital Future

In all areas, the energy sector is facing great challenges. Intelligent networking and innovative solutions from WAGO help meet these challenges.

Energy_FINAL_V6_2000x1500.jpg
Marine and Offshore

Full Speed Ahead

Whether applications in shipbuilding or in the on/offshore areas, WAGO combines innovation with reliability and flexibility to make it the preferred partner of many ship suppliers.

Marine_FINAL_V4_2000x1500.jpg