The Chemical Connection: Onshoring PCB Production—Daunting but Certainly Possible
Marcy’s Musings: The Legislative Outlook—Helping or Hurting?
It’s Only Common Sense: The Phone Is Still Mightier Than the Keyboard
Registration: From Raw Data to Intelligent Manufacturing
November 27, 2023 | Andrew Kelley, XACTPCB LTDEstimated reading time: 1 minute
While previous industrial revolutions have introduced factories, mass production, and computer-controlled systems, the advent of Industry 4.0 and the concept of the Smart factory have ushered in a new era in PCB manufacturing. For the PCB industry it is a very ambitious and aspirational objective to evolve from disconnected processes to an integrated system with automated data capture, real-time data analysis, process visualization, autonomous control, and self-correcting processes.
Industry experts claim that those who fail to engage will rapidly fall behind, however, the paradigm shift that this revolution brings to manufacturing has left many plant managers wondering where and how to start the process of implementation. The reality is that implementation of a Smart factory is not a one-size-fits-all approach, and companies need to adapt their existing systems, process, and infrastructures to embrace this transformation gradually.
In the PCB manufacturing plant, there is a profusion of design and production data that is held in many places and in many different formats. There is an opportunity to incorporate this information with data gathered in real time from manufacturing processes to provide intelligent analysis, derived actions, and control immediately for use throughout the manufacturing process chain. Very few companies will start a Smart manufacturing implementation from nothing. The key will be to understand how to adapt existing systems, process, and infrastructures to the requirements of the Smart factory. A step-by-step implementation focused on key aspects of manufacturing will allow the benefits to be realized soon. Therefore, the smart manufacturing solutions implemented should be modular, scalable, and flexible. This approach allows businesses to establish proof of concept, leverage existing equipment, and strengthen their infrastructure without the need for building entirely new factories. To embark on this journey successfully, it is crucial to harness the power of data and transform it into actionable information and knowledge.
To read this entire article, which appeared in the November 2023 issue of PCB007 Magazine, click here.
Share on:
Testimonial
"The I-Connect007 team is outstanding—kind, responsive, and a true marketing partner. Their design team created fresh, eye-catching ads, and their editorial support polished our content to let our brand shine. Thank you all! "
Sweeney Ng - CEE PCBSuggested Items
Electronics Industry Warns Mexico Tariffs Could Undercut U.S. Manufacturing and Supply Chain Resilience
10/24/2025 | Global Electronics AssociationAs negotiations over U.S.–Mexico trade policies near an October 29 deadline, the Global Electronics Association released a new policy brief, From Risk to Resilience: Why Mexico Matters to U.S. Manufacturing.
MKS’ Atotech Showcases Next-gen PCB and Substrate Manufacturing Solutions at CPCA Plus 2025
10/24/2025 | MKS Inc.MKS Inc., a global provider of enabling technologies that transform our world, announced its participation in CPCA Plus Show 2025, taking place October 28 – 30 at Shenzhen International Convention and Exhibition Center.
Niche Electronics Completes Transition to Enhanced Leadership Team
10/24/2025 | Niche ElectronicsNiche Electronics, a growing electronics manufacturing services company, announced that it has completed a restructuring of its leadership team. The refined framework elevates a new vice president and creates four directors who will oversee mission-critical facets of the business.
I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
10/24/2025 | Andy Shaughnessy, I-Connect007This week, we have quite a bit of international content in this week’s list of must-reads. Nothing happens in a vacuum, including electronics manufacturing and design, and this has been quite an eventful year. How many of us are now tariff experts? I’m certainly not, but that hasn’t stopped me from opining about the situation.
Peters, Starteam, and Würth Elektronik Team Up For Digital Coating Technology
10/23/2025 | PetersUnder this heading, the PCB manufacturers Starteam and Würth Elektronik, along with Peters as inkjet coating supplier, have taken the initiative and worked together for months in trusting and target-oriented cooperation, to promote this innovative digital coating technology for solder resists and establish it on the market.