Case Study
Elexon Electronics is an Australian electronics manufacturer specialising in the design and production of advanced electronic assemblies for demanding applications across defence, mining, energy and industrial sectors.
When a devastating fire destroyed a significant part of their production facility several years ago, the company faced a critical decision. Rebuild quickly and restore capacity, or take the opportunity to rethink the entire production environment.
Working closely with HW Technologies, Elexon chose the second path. Together, the teams designed and implemented a modern SMT production environment built around Mycronic technology, intelligent material handling and advanced inspection systems.
The result is a highly flexible, quality-driven production line designed for complex, high-mix electronics manufacturing.
“We took the rebuild as an opportunity to further advance how we manufacture. HW Technologies supported us not only with the right technology but with the partnership to design a smarter manufacturing environment for the future” – Chris Whitaker, General Manager, Elexon Electronics
The Challenge
Electronics manufacturers working in specialised industries face unique pressures:
- High-mix, low-volume production
- Strict quality and traceability requirements
- Rapid changeovers between assemblies
- Increasing complexity of PCBs and components
Following the fire, Elexon had to rebuild their production capability from the ground up. The company wanted more than a replacement for what was lost. The goal was to create a future-ready manufacturing environment that would:
- Increase production flexibility
- Improve process visibility and quality control
- Reduce manual handling and errors
- Support growing demand for complex electronics assemblies
The Solution
HW Technologies worked closely with the Elexon team to design a complete SMT ecosystem built around Mycronic technology and integrated inspection systems. The solution included:
Intelligent Storage Towers
Mycronic automated component storage towers allow Elexon to manage thousands of components efficiently while maintaining full traceability.
Benefits include:
- Fast component retrieval
- Reduced operator handling
- Accurate inventory control
- Improved material flow into production
Jet Printing Technology
Instead of traditional stencil printing, Elexon introduced
Mycronic jet printing technology.
This provides:
- Stencil-free solder paste deposition
- Fast changeovers between products
- Reduced setup time
- Ideal performance for high-mix production environments
High-Precision Placement
At the core of the SMT line are
Mycronic pick-and-place machines,
delivering the speed and accuracy required for complex, high-mix production.
These systems provide:
- High placement precision across a wide range of component types
- Flexibility to handle frequent product changeovers
- Consistent performance for both prototyping and production runs
- Integration with upstream and downstream processes for a streamlined workflow
Advanced Inspection Systems
To ensure quality throughout the process, the production line includes:
- Automated Optical Inspection (AOI)
- Solder Paste Inspection (SPI)
These systems provide visibility into potential defects early in the process and help maintain consistent product quality even on complex assemblies.
Conformal Coating
The production line also includes
Mycronic conformal coating equipment,
protecting finished assemblies for demanding environments.
Protection against:
- Moisture, dust, and chemicals
- Temperature extremes
- Harsh operating environments
Mycronic’s system deposits coating precisely without manual masking, reducing labour, cost, and VOC emissions.
Implementation
Rebuilding a production line after a major disruption requires more than equipment installation. HW Technologies worked closely with Elexon throughout the process, supporting:
- Line design and configuration
- Equipment selection and integration
- Installation and commissioning
- Training and process optimisation
The collaboration allowed Elexon to not only restore manufacturing capability but significantly upgrade their production environment.
Results
The new SMT line has delivered measurable improvements across the manufacturing process.
1. Greater Production Flexibility
Jet printing and intelligent material storage allow rapid product changeovers without lengthy setup times.
2. Improved Process Visibility
Integrated inspection systems provide clear insights into production quality and potential issues.
3. Higher Efficiency
Automation in storage and material handling reduces manual intervention and improves production flow.
4. Stronger Manufacturing Resilience
The rebuilt facility provides a modern foundation for future growth in complex electronics manufacturing.
A Long-Term Partnership
The relationship between Elexon Electronics and HW Technologies goes well beyond equipment supply. It is a long-term partnership built on shared commitment to advancing SMT capability in Australia.
Through ongoing technical support, service, and close collaboration on process optimisation, HW Technologies plays an active role in strengthening Elexon’s manufacturing performance and resilience.
This kind of relationship reflects more than technical expertise. It demonstrates HWT’s genuine investment and effort in uplifting Australian electronics manufacturing and supporting sovereign capability where it matters most.
About HW Technologies
HW Technologies supports electronics manufacturers across Australia with advanced SMT equipment, inspection systems and manufacturing solutions.
As a partner of leading technology providers such as Mycronic, HW Technologies helps manufacturers implement flexible, high-performance production environments tailored to modern electronics manufacturing challenges.