Ahead of Productronica 2025, Panasonic Factory Solutions has significantly expanded its Surface Mounted Technology (SMT) capabilities, through new machines, features, and tools; enhanced software across its NPM G Series; and its end-to-end Operation and Maintenance (O&M) service. It will also showcase fundamental improvements to its NPM-GW modular mounter, Auto Setting Feeder (ASF), and NPM-GP/L printer.
Image Credit: Panasonic Connect Europe
First introduced in 2023, Panasonic has significantly developed its visionary ‘Autonomous Factory’ concept. At this year’s event, longstanding customers such as DELTEC Group; ZF Automotive; Auvidea; Kemptron; and Incap UK will bring this to life by highlighting successful deployments across Germany, the UK, and Finland.
“Panasonic has continued to evolve its pioneering ‘Autonomous Factory’ concept and innovate for its electronics manufacturing customers. Transitioning to Panasonic has never been easier; its range of market-leading SMT solutions enable manufacturers to realise fully connected, smart, and automated production lines. This maximizes efficiency, productivity, quality, and flexibility with minimal human intervention – and lowered total cost of ownership,” comments Jerome Clouet, Head of Product Marketing at Panasonic Factory Solutions Europe.
Making the Autonomous Factory a Reality
Panasonic’s NPM G Series uses AI and automated production to adapt instantly to supply and demand shifts, enabling flexible, efficient, and cost-effective manufacturing lines.
Making its Productronica debut, Panasonic’s NPM-GW increases operational efficiency and flexibility for manufacturers, enabling the production of PCBs up to 760 mm x 687 mm in size. Its new recognition camera allows manufacturers to create component data more efficiently, whilst handling a wider range of components. Panasonic has introduced lighter and faster heads for its NPM-GW and NPM-GH modular mounters, increasing accuracy and CPH speed.
The NPM G Series includes Panasonic’s ASF, which automates the setting and loading of components into the NPM-GW. At the event, Panasonic will be demonstrating the ASF’s capabilities to automatically peel off the cover tape for surface-mounted components, with a width between 4 mm and 104 mm. This drastically reduces the set time and the need for human intervention – saving valuable resources and lost production hours.
It also includes Panasonic’s high-precision NPM-GP/L stencil printer, now featuring a 300 mm wide slim mask changer – a reduction of 54 %. This decreases the NPM-GP/L’s overall footprint and eliminates the need for operators to manually change masks when changing production jobs.
Increased THT Productivity
Available immediately, Panasonic’s new RL133 high-speed radial lead component insertion machine is a fundamental step forward. In a pioneering development for the industry, right and left edge chucking technology has been introduced. Thanks to the RL133’s new 360 ° anvil, this allows for a narrower gap between components, enabling high-density component insertion.
Compared to its predecessor, the RL133 supports a wider range of bigger and heavier components – up from a height of 23 mm to 26 mm. It also features an upgraded X-Y table travel distance, up to 40 mm, delivering an impressive boost in overall performance.
Redefining Proactive Maintenance and Support
Panasonic’s O&M service offers a powerful combination of ultra-reliable equipment, predictive insights, and proactive, responsive servicing. This empowers manufacturers to unlock the full potential of their production lines.
Supported by its Technical Center in Budapest, O&M includes Panasonic’s Head Refurbishment Program. This will be demonstrated on Panasonic’s Productronica booth, showing visitors how extensive refurbishment – including the replacement of solenoid valves, vacuum sensors, theta belt and all testing and pre-calibration – can result in extended machine lifecycles, consistent performance, and significant cost savings.
Unbreakable Industry Partnerships
Panasonic works with more than 75 industry organisations, providing market-leading solutions for customers. At Productronica 2025, three of Panasonic’s partners will co-exhibit on its booth, including:
- B4C Solutions – Connecting Panasonic’s industry-leading PanaCIM Manufacturing Execution System to production lines. This allows operators to seamlessly manage, monitor, and optimize operations in real-time – improving productivity, quality, and traceability across the factory floor.
- Inovaxe – The integration of PanaCIM with Inovaxe’s smart material handling system delivers a connected and automated solution for efficient inventory and production management.
- SMT Renting – A leading provider of turnkey rental solutions for SMT and Smart Factory equipment, SMT Renting is strengthening its partnership with Panasonic through new, intelligent service and financing models. This offers manufacturers greater flexibility and efficiency.
With its comprehensive approach – covering equipment sourcing, financing, service, and warranty – SMT Renting delivers fully managed solutions under a single contract. Visitors to Panasonic’s booth can learn more about SMT Renting’s unique ‘Stop & Swap’ option, enabling customers to easily scale production as business needs evolve.
Convergence of Electronics and Microelectronics
Forty years on from the opening of its Kofu factory in Yamanashi, Japan, Panasonic’s Productronica booth reflects the industry’s convergence of electronics and microelectronics manufacturing. It leads the way in precision engineering and innovation, with its plasma dicing, etching, cleaning, and flip-chip bonding machines enabling faster, smarter, and more cost-efficient production.
Productronica is the world’s premier electronics manufacturing event, bringing together over 1,400 exhibitors and 42,000 visitors from 100 countries. It showcases the latest innovations and solutions to decision-makers across the automotive, industrial, medical, and electrical engineering industries – helping to shape the future of electronics production.
Visit Panasonic’s booth at Productronica 2025 (Hall A3/177).