As Australia and New Zealand accelerate investments in sovereign defence manufacturing, the need for reliable production equipment backed by local expertise and support has become a strategic priority. For defence contractors working on missile guidance systems, secure communications, and ruggedised computing platforms, production failures aren't just costly; they can compromise national security.
Hawker Richardson has supported Australian manufacturing for over a century. We provide Surface Mount Technology (SMT) production machines, precision inspection systems (microscopes, X-ray, AOI, SPI), and local technical support, enabling manufacturers to scale production confidently while maintaining sovereign control.
The Challenge for Defence Electronics Manufacturing
Defence electronics present unique pressures: high-mix, low-to-medium volume runs where every board must meet exacting standards. Components must perform flawlessly under mechanical shock, thermal cycling, and electromagnetic interference. Strict IPC-A-610 Class 3 and AS9100 compliance is essential, as a single defect can trigger extensive rework or mission-critical failures.
Offshore dependencies for equipment maintenance or troubleshooting create unacceptable risks to production schedules and security protocols.
Precision PCB Assembly: Built for Agility
Our assembly solutions range from manual pick-and-place to fully automated inline production, with the Yamaha YRM20 at the core.
The YRM20's modular design enables true one-pass assembly on complex boards through configurable heads optimised for specific components:
- Rotary Multi-Purpose (RM) – Standard SMD chips
- High-Mix Inline (HM) – Mixed-size, large components
- Flexible Multi-Purpose (FM) – Specialised/odd-shaped parts
- Large/Long Mount (LM) – Large, heavy connectors, large BGAs, high‑current
Manufacturers can reduce changeover and downtime, keeping small batch production cost-effective. Throughout, the system maintains the placement accuracy critical for high-reliability defence applications. This agility matters when contracts involve frequent design iterations or when prototype-to-production timelines are compressed.
Quality Control Resulting in Zero Defects
In defence manufacturing, catching defects early is mission assurance. Our IPC Class 3 ecosystem connects inspection and X-ray with placement equipment via machine-to-machine feedback for immediate intervention. When rework is required, precision matters for assembly integrity. Our PDR Focused IR rework stations (IR-E1 and IR-E3) offer surgical precision for removing and replacing BGA, QFN, CSP, and LED components without compromising boards. Finally, our PVA dispensing range provides conformal coatings meeting IPC-CC-830 and IPC-A-610 standards to ensure extreme conditions never affect finished PCBs.
Smart Factory Integration with YSUP Software
At the heart of this integration is YSUP intelligent SMT software, which acts as a central hub enabling direct data exchange between systems. Key capabilities include:
- Machine-to-Machine Communication – Stops defects in their tracks along the SMT line
- Visual Data Editor – Streamlines programming and setup workflows
- Real-Time Dashboards – Provides constant analytics for proactive quality management
- Intelligent Algorithms – Automatically corrects component polarity with just a few clicks, significantly reducing placement errors
This AI-driven optimisation provides complete visual traceability from component reel to finished board, creating the auditable documentation trail essential for regulatory compliance and failure analysis while improving efficiency, reducing waste, and delivering the zero-defect reliability defence applications demand.
Sovereign Capability Through Local Support
Advanced machinery alone doesn't create sovereign capability; resilient local infrastructure eliminates offshore dependencies. As a Defence Recognised Supplier, Hawker Richardson provides comprehensive lifecycle support, including installation, commissioning, and specialised operator training, ensuring production continuity without relying on international service networks. Our ISO 9001-certified quality management system ensures consistent service standards.
Critical for defence applications, our solutions operate within closed-loop network architectures. SMT equipment and servers remain isolated from external networks and general facility IT systems, protecting sensitive manufacturing data and aligning with defence security protocols. This combination helps Australian and New Zealand manufacturers maintain complete control of their production environment.
Learn more about our defence-grade solutions or contact us at 1300 36 00 31. Our technical team is ready to help. NDA discussions welcome.