Altus supports Garner Osborne in enhancing inventory control with Scienscope X-ray component counter

Altus Group, a distributor of capital equipment in the UK and Ireland, has supported contract electronics manufacturer (CEM) Garner Osborne Circuits to strengthen its inventory control capabilities with the installation of the Scienscope AXC-800 III X-ray component counter.

Having maintained a strong partnership with Altus for many years, Garner Osborne consulted with the company to identify the optimal solution for enhancing its component management system. As a specialist in high-mix, low-to-medium volume manufacturing, the CEM identified specific operational challenge to address including unexpected stock level discrepancies, time-intensive manual counting processes, and the need for more accurate vendor component verification.

Altus facilitated an on-site trial of the Scienscope AXC-800 III, allowing the Garner Osborne team to evaluate its performance under real production conditions.

Steve Honeybun, CEM operations director at Garner Osborne, says: “It was invaluable to have Altus provide a unit for on-site testing. This hands-on experience gave us confidence that we were selecting the best system for our needs. Given our long-standing relationship with Altus, we knew their support would be a major advantage compared with lower cost alternatives.”

The Scienscope AXC-800 III offers rapid counting of up to four reels in less than 25 seconds, automated label reading and printing via an integrated smart camera, and high accuracy for counting strips and partial reels. With a pre-installed database covering a vast range of components, the system ensures consistency and reliability in inventory tracking. Its X-ray technology and AI-driven algorithms enable an accuracy rate of 99.99%, even for the smallest components.

“Scienscope had a record year in the UK and we were delighted to support Garner Osborne in this investment,” says Joe Booth, CEO of Altus Group. “The AXC-800 III has the largest component library available, and seeing it deliver results in a high-mix production environment reaffirms its value. Garner Osborne has made a series of smart investments and it’s been rewarding to help them optimise their processes.”

Following a successful trial, Garner Osborne invested in the Scienscope AXC-800 III. The implementation has already delivered tangible benefits, including improved inventory accuracy, reduced line stoppages and a more streamlined counting process.