-
- News
- Books
Featured Books
- pcb007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current IssueThe Growing Industry
In this issue of PCB007 Magazine, we talk with leading economic experts, advocacy specialists in Washington, D.C., and PCB company leadership to get a well-rounded picture of what’s happening in the industry today. Don’t miss it.
The Sustainability Issue
Sustainability is one of the most widely used terms in business today, especially for electronics and manufacturing but what does it mean to you? We explore the environmental, business, and economic impacts.
The Fabricator’s Guide to IPC APEX EXPO
This issue previews many of the important events taking place at this year's show and highlights some changes and opportunities. So, buckle up. We are counting down to IPC APEX EXPO 2024.
- Articles
- Columns
Search Console
- Links
- Events
||| MENU - pcb007 Magazine
Focus on the Impact of Data
July 8, 2020 | Nolan Johnson, PCB007Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
I spoke with Dana Korf about his experience with total quality management (TQM) throughout his career. Dana recommends not getting stuck on the process of collecting the data and documenting it, but instead to look at the impact. If you haven’t made an impact, then you haven’t done a good job.
Nolan Johnson: Dana, our industry, especially on the fabrication side, seems to be at an inflection point. We’re on the verge of what seems to be a changing of the guard and even some changes in how fabs are set up where business is done. First, what is your background, and what is your experience with TQM? Then, we can discuss if the current leadership of these fabrication companies has the emotional wherewithal to effect that change and weather this shift, as well as address how TQM fits in 2020 compared to the ‘40s through the ‘80s.
Dana Korf: I’ve always been on the process engineering side of the business when I worked in board fab shops, implementing all these various quality systems. We were heavily involved within our own department and between departments, trying to maximize the benefit while spending the least amount of money. I’ve been through many programs, and TQM fundamentally is an excellent concept. I firmly believe in it. Way back when, they taught us in ISO, “Document what you do, and do what you document.” All of these systems, including TQM, boil down to that line in my mind. TQM is the process fundamentally where you make sure you have well-defined processes that are documented. They have quality goals, and you maintain and constantly improve those quality goals for whatever level of detail you want to get down to, from a plant level down to an equipment level. It goes everywhere from how you manage the supply chain to how it gets kicked out the back door.
Johnson: Do you feel like TQM processes and techniques have gone by the wayside, or have they been incorporated to the point that they seem to be invisible?
Korf: If you look at quality management fundamentally, I started in the ‘70s. It was all human-based. Humans did everything from controlling the equipment to minimally integrating automated tracking of defects, etc. You look at it now, and the real transition we’re going through over the last 10 years and probably the next 10–15 years is starting to automate more of this.
We’re gathering a lot more data, and you can have lots of data and not do anything with it. If you have too much data, it’s too much for a human to keep up with. Now, we’re starting to get a lot of better-automated tools that run both within a process and within a piece of equipment. Two processes help present the data, analyze the data, and, in some cases, automatically correct based on the data. We’ve seen a lot more of that in our industry.
To read this entire interview, which appeared in the June 2020 issue of PCB007 Magazine, click here.
Suggested Items
Argonne, Toyota Collaborate on Cutting-Edge Battery Recycling Process
05/01/2024 | BUSINESS WIREThe U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory has recently launched a collaboration with Toyota Motor North America that could reduce the nation’s reliance on foreign sources of battery materials.
Real Time with… IPC APEX EXPO 2024: Outlining Rehm's Innovations and Global Presence
05/01/2024 | Real Time with...IPC APEX EXPOMichael Hanke, the chief sales officer for Rehm Thermal Systems, shares insights on the North American market, new machinery, and software development. He also discusses Rehm's turnkey solutions, process flexibility, global presence, and the dedicated team of 700 employees working on global solutions.
The Knowledge Base: A CM’s Perspective on Box Build Practices
04/30/2024 | Mike Konrad -- Column: The Knowledge BaseIn the ever-evolving landscape of electronics manufacturing, the box-build process stands out as a critical phase that bridges the gap between individual component manufacturing and the delivery of a fully functional electronic system. This intricate procedure, encompassing the assembly of everything from PCBs to wire harnesses and mechanical enclosures, demands a high level of precision, efficiency, and innovation. As the electronics assembly industry expands and diversifies, understanding the best practices within box-build assembly has become paramount for manufacturers aiming to stay ahead in a competitive market.
TSMC Certifies Ansys Multiphysics Platforms, Enabling Next-Gen AI and HPC Chips
04/30/2024 | PRNewswireAnsys announced the certification of its power integrity platforms for TSMC's N2 technology full production release. Both Ansys RedHawk-SC and Ansys Totem are certified for power integrity signoff on the N2 process, delivering significant speed and power advantages for high performance computing, mobile chips, and 3D-IC designs.
Koh Young Showcases Award-winning Inspection Solutions at SMTconnect with SmartRep in Hall 4A.225
04/25/2024 | Koh Young TechnologyKoh Young Technology, the industry leader in True 3D measurement-based inspection solutions, will showcase an array of award-winning inspection and measurement solutions at SMTconnect alongside its sales partner, SmartRep, in booth 4A.225 at NürnbergMesse from June 11-13, 2023. The following offers a glimpse into what Koh Young will present at the tradeshow: