Helen Fletcher spoke with Robert Bird of Astrosys International to find out how the group has developed and become one of the leaders in coin and note validation

A subsidiary of Hong Kong-based Astrotech Group, Astrosys International was founded in 1997 with a focus on the GBA banknote validator, developing a strong presence particularly in the UK and Europe.

Then in 1999, it further strengthened its position as a global player in money handling by acquiring Australia-based Microsystem Controls, widely acknowledged as one of the leading coin validation technology experts worldwide.

It now has 40 employees located around the world, while there are another 2,000 employees in Astrotech’s two ISO9001-certified manufacturing plants.

Before joining Astrosys International, Microsystem Controls was a self-sufficient organisation, operating out of Australia but supplying global markets with its Microcoin coin validators.

Astrosys International specialises in the design, manufacture and distribution of currency handling products under the following brands: Microcoin electronic multi-coin acceptor and Global Bill Acceptors (GBA) banknote acceptor.

“Microcoin started life with a goal of developing a better mousetrap,” said Robert Bird of the company. “With this the Microcoin S-series coin validators were born, bringing the innovation of high-speed multi-coin operation to the world market. The Microcoin QL and SP coin validators emerged 10 years later. Introducing enhanced electronic and mechanical solutions to the growing demands of coin validation – these units remain high in demand to this day.”

The QL multi-coin validator is, according to the company, a superb example of product excellence, designed from first principles to provide unparalleled multi-currency discrimination and coin handling for a host of coin-op applications and it can operate at up to 10 coins per second in either a top or front entry format.

Features of the machine include ‘Quick Learn’ on board programming, diagnostics and enhanced security. It can retrofit into virtually any mechanical bracket or can be fitted with its own modern and stylish faceplate.

According to Bird, its unique ability to accept multiple coins at speed makes it ideal for many gaming, amusement, kiosk and vending applications, particularly where the customer should not be restricted by slow coin-in feed rates.

“The QL can be provided pre-programmed for virtually any country and is complemented by powerful user tools such as Micromate or Casinomate handheld programmers and PC-based software programming and diagnostics packages,” continued Bird. “Essentially the QL offers 12 single coin solutions in one model with the powerful benefit of toggling between coin denominations in the field.

“Combined with the Casinomate handheld device and Tracer audit module, the QL offers the most user-friendly and secure coin validator for gaming.”

Although manufacturing is carried out at company-owned factories based in China, the vast majority of the engineering and R&D is carried out at the group’s Melbourne and Sydney offices in Australia, which includes new product development and existing product engineering support for both the Microcoin and GBA brands.

According to Bird, Astrosys maintains its diversified worldwide markets by a strong international network of regional offices located in the US (Astrosystems Inc), Australia (Microsystem Controls Pty Ltd), Europe (Astrosystems Ltd) and Hong Kong (Astrosystems Ltd in the Far East), supported by representation in other key global markets.

The Astrosystems side of the ledger has focused its energies on note validators since the late 80s and has developed the range of Global Bill Acceptors, which were originally manufactured in sturdy metal housings, delivering note stacking models and stackerless solutions.

Known as the GBA1 or SLEC, the GBA has, according to the company, morphed into the incredibly popular GBA HR1, which is used extensively throughout the UK, Europe and Australia and has a library of well over 100 note-sets.

However, the GBA note validator has recently gone through a generational change, with the introduction of its ST1 stacker model, based upon the new ‘sense technology’ platform, which has been created for all future GBA developments.

“It has been identified that there is a growing need for additional note security,” said Bird. “So having a lockable, secure note cassette has allowed the GBA ST1 to progress into applications which demand security as a priority.

“The unique design of the note cassette draws notes within the cassette housing, where an internal plate than punches the notes into the storage space once the cassette has been removed from the main chassis, which prevents note pilfering – a common source of theft.”

The GBA ST1 has a family of models, offering a variety of robust note stacking options. There are the contemporary up-stacking and down-stacking configurations and an interesting horizontal presentation, which allows the GBA ST1 to be laid down horizontally and secured to the front panel of its host, without the need for any internal shelving. The note cassette is then easily accessible as is the entire main chassis, which can be simply removed from its supporting bracket.

Then there is the new GBA ST2, a stackerless unit which is slated to replace the HR1 in coming months. The ST2 will also be the engine for other stacker products currently under development, including a gaming vault system.

“Even with this heavy development schedule the ST1 target applications have also been expanded from a simple up and down stacker to introduce a space-saving, panel-mounted horizontally stacking solution with a note cassette capacity ranging from 100 to 1,000 notes,” said Bird.

When asked what the company’s biggest achievement has been Bird told InterGame that it was the first company to win a clean sweep of three out of three awards at the prestigious Australian Design Awards 2000, with the Microcoin QL.

“With assessment by an independent panel of industry and design professionals in each of the fields of engineering, software-electronics and industrial design, the Microcoin QL was selected as a winner of each category,” said Bird. “Something unheard of in the history of awards.”

As well as this the Microcoin QL was selected by IGT in 2003 as the new default unit for its small coin offering after an intensive and exhaustive selection process, involving all major coin acceptors currently available to the gaming market.

“Astrosys International sees itself as a serious long-term player in the currency handling industry,” said Bird, “with strong commitment to our Microcoin and GBA brands. With our research and development dance card full of application based solutions for coin and note handling, there are some exciting products that have emerged and are about to emerge on the market.”