The SMT Smart Network: Focus on Process Improvements

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Technology leader ASM has built an open and global network of reference factories with its SMT Smart Network, whose members work with ASM's experts to develop better processes for the smart SMT factory. Visitors of this year’s Productronica industry fair in Munich were already able to benefit from this network. At the ASM booth, several members presented smart, innovative workflows they developed and implemented, explained the resulting efficiency gains, and provided guests with practical tips for their own improvement projects. In addition, monitors spread all over the booth conveyed images of operations and best practices at member companies’ SMT lines. The fair also provided an ideal opportunity for members of the SMT Smart Network to get together to exchange experiences and plan new projects. This meeting was also attended by electronics manufacturers who are already benefitting from findings shared by others and are considering joining the network.

“Each factory must determine its own path to the smart SMT factory, but everyone can benefit from experiences and best practices in other companies – that's the idea being shared by all members of the SMT Smart Network. Since the network is open, any company can join that is working on making its processes smarter and is willing to share the experiences collected during these projects,” explained Alexander Hagenfeldt, Project Manager SMT Smart Factory at ASM. “The feedback to process-oriented tours hosted by network members during the Productronica was extremely positive, because they involved actual users demonstrating their solutions and processes, explaining implementation options, and reporting their findings and benefits in detail.”

Network pioneers included electronics manufacturers like Aros (Sweden), BYD (China), CIG (China), MRI (USA), Rena (Netherlands), Topscomm (China), Vega (Germany), Velankani (India), and the ASM factories in Germany and Huizhou (China). The organizational infrastructure of the SMT Smart Network is provided by ASM with its worldwide SMT Centers of Competence with their respective teams of process experts.

“With ASM's organizational support, the SMT Smart Network allows us to go in new and innovative directions that lead to clear improvements in users’ KPIs. The network is open to anyone who wants to make their electronics production smarter, share their experiences, and subject themselves to open benchmarking. The only requirements: be willing to make intelligent and long-term process improvements and share your experiences with other members.  Even after only a few months and meetings, it is already becoming abundantly clear that everyone benefits from this type of cooperation. I am confident that this network will enable us to reach our goals with much more speed and certainty,” said Jochem Winkelman, General Manager of Dutch SMT Smart Network member RENA.

Jochem Winkelman, General Manager (2nd from right), and the team from SMT Smart Network company RENA with ASM SMT Solutions CEO Günter Lauber (far right) at the SMT Smart Network Event during productronica.

About The SMT Solutions segment of ASM Pacific Technology

Since the acquisition of printing specialist DEK and its integration into ASM Pacific Technology (ASMPT) on July 2, 2014, ASM Assembly Systems has been operating as ASMPT's SMT Solutions segment consisting of the Printing Solutions Division (DEK) and the Placement Solutions Division (SIPLACE).

SMT Solutions develops and sells best-in-class DEK printers for the SMT, semiconductor and solar markets as well as best-in-class SIPLACE SMT placement solutions. Both divisions use the ASMPT organization to let their customers enjoy significant competitive benefits. The SMT Solutions segment of ASMPT shares and expands its expertise with electronics manufacturers and partners all over the world. Its goal is to improve its customers' workflows and use new technologies to advance process integration in the industry.

For more information about SIPLACE, visit www.siplace.com.   

For more information about DEK, visit www.dek.com.

About ASM Pacific Technology Limited

Founded in 1975, ASMPT is the only company in the world that supplies high-quality equipment for all major steps of the electronics manufacturing process – from carriers to chip bonding, assembly and packaging to surface-mount technology. No other equipment maker comes close to the scope and depth of ASMPT’s process expertise.

The Backend Equipment Segment of ASMPT offers a wide range of products for bonding, molding and trim-and-form processes as well as their integration into complete inline systems for the microelectronics, semiconductor, photonics and optoelectronics industries. The Materials Segment offers a multitude of etched or stamped leadframes and advanced packaging solutions. The SMT Solutions Segment of ASMPT develops and sells best-in-class printers for the SMT, semiconductor and solar markets under the DEK brand name and best-in-class SMT placement solutions under the SIPLACE brand name.

ASMPT has been listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange since 1989.

For more information about ASMPT visit www.asmpacific.com.