Dan's Biz Bookshelf: 'Move Your Bus'
Driving Innovation: Direct Imaging vs. Conventional Exposure
It’s Only Common Sense: Selling to Today's Generation of Buyers
Patty's Perspective: How do You Define Process Step Elimination and Automation?
August 10, 2017 | Patty Goldman, I-Connect007Estimated reading time: 1 minute
This month, we can call our theme PSE&A—a fancy acronym for process step elimination and automation. Sounds straightforward, but what exactly do we mean by “process step elimination?” Does it refer to shortening the numerous steps involved in making a printed circuit board? There sure are a lot of them, but they all must be necessary—or why would we have them?
Or perhaps it means eliminating unnecessary steps such as wait or queue times, extra inspections, extra cleaning processes, etc. Or, could process step elimination include actual steps, physical or otherwise, that an operator or engineer takes to perform their duties?
‘Automation’ is an equally broad term. Does it mean load/unload stations, an automatic hoist on your plating line, or perhaps conveyorizing everything possible in the process? Or, does it mean automating some lab analysis and replenishment tasks?
Another way of looking at extra steps is to consider them waste or non-value-added. Ah, but waste is yet another far-reaching term—time, scrap, hazardous, water—exactly what waste are we talking about?
Maybe PSE&A means all these things. That seems overwhelming! There isn’t a PCB facility in the world that doesn’t want to remove as many steps in as many areas as possible, but of course there are constraints. These are usually in the form of available capital to purchase new equipment that is more automated, plus possibly shortening the process steps.
How can we help with this? Well, I’m hoping our articles and columns this month will give you plenty of food for thought, some good tips, and perhaps a healthy dose of inspiration for improving your processes while saving time and money. Let’s get started.
This article originally appeared in the August 2017 issue of The CB Magazine, click here.
Share on:
Suggested Items
SMT007 Magazine July—What’s Your Competitive Sweet Spot?
07/01/2025 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamAre you in a niche that’s growing or shrinking? Is it time to reassess and refocus? We spotlight companies thriving by redefining or reinforcing their niche—what are their insights? In the July 2025 issue of SMT007 Magazine, we spotlight companies thriving by redefining or reinforcing their niche and offer insights to help you evaluate your own.
Smarter Machines Use AOI to Transform PCB Inspections
06/30/2025 | Marcy LaRont, PCB007 MagazineAs automated optical inspection (AOI) evolves from traditional end-of-process inspections to proactive, in-line solutions, the integration of AI and machine learning is revolutionizing defect reduction and enhancing yields, marking a pivotal shift in how quality is managed in manufacturing.
Magnalytix and Foresite to Host Technical Webinar on SIR Testing and Functional Reliability
06/26/2025 | MAGNALYTIXMagnalytix, in collaboration with Foresite Inc., is pleased to announce an upcoming one-hour Webinar Workshop titled “Comparing SIR IPC B-52 to Umpire 41 Functional & SIR Test Method.” This session will be held on July 24, 2025, and is open to professionals in electronics manufacturing, reliability engineering, and process development seeking insights into new testing standards for climatic reliability.
The Death of the Microsection
06/26/2025 | Bob Neves, Reliability Assessment Solutions, Inc.I got my start out of college grinding and polishing PCB microsections. My thumbs are a bit arthritic today because of the experience (microsection grinders know what I mean). Back then, via structures were rather large, and getting to the center in six steps of grinding and polishing was easy compared to what my team has been doing recently at the lab.
Specially Developed for Laser Plastic Welding from LPKF
06/25/2025 | LPKFLPKF introduces TherMoPro, a thermographic analysis system specifically developed for laser plastic welding that transforms thermal data into concrete actionable insights. Through automated capture, evaluation, and interpretation of surface temperature patterns immediately after welding, the system provides unprecedented process transparency that correlates with product joining quality and long-term product stability.