ASM's Plug-and-Play with IPC Hermes 9852 and CFX

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Eight manufacturers, two standards, one line—the demo line for modern M2M communication was one of the main attractions at the 2019 IPC APEX trade show in San Diego. In several daily guided tours, visitors could see for themselves how PCB data can be reliably carried down the line via the IPC Hermes 9852 standard and how process data can be sent to higher-level IT solutions such as MES and ERP systems via the CFX standard. One major strength of both standards wasn’t even apparent: Although the partial government shutdown in the U.S. had caused massive delays in the delivery of the line components and they could be linked only at the last minute, even the first board was seamlessly tracked via the IPC Hermes 9852 standard. Once each board’s barcode was read by the laser at the start of the line, it was reliable passed from component to component, enriched with process information, and finally transferred to an MES at the end of the line.

“All partner companies demonstrated with this line that Hermes and CFX deliver horizontal as well as vertical integration in electronics production that’s as easy as it is reliable – even across components from different makers. Accordingly, electronics manufacturers showed great interest in this solution. Despite the last-minute installation due to customs and logistics problems resulting from the shutdown, integrating the components worked like plug-and-play. That’s good news for our industry and all those who want to network their lines and integrate their processes in the smart SMT factory,” said Thomas Bliem, Director of Product Management at ASM, who supervises the technology leader's Hermes-related activities.

ASM had supplied a DEK printer for the line. Other equipment was provided by Asys, Saki, Kulicke & Soffa, Heller, Koh Young, Flexlink, Tri, and Keysight. Unfortunately, Nutek had to bow out, because their equipment did not make it to the APEX exhibition hall in time as a result of the shutdown. The MES which received the CFX data with status and process information was supplied by Aegis.

The SMT Solutions Segment within the ASM Pacific Technology Group

The mission of the SMT Solutions segment within the AMS Pacific Technology Group (ASMPT) is to implement and support the smart SMT factory at electronics manufacturers worldwide.

ASM solutions such as SIPLACE placement systems and DEK printing systems support the networking, automation and optimization of central workflows with hardware, software and services that enable electronics manufacturers to transition to the smart SMT factory in stages and enjoy dramatic improvements in productivity, flexibility and quality.

Since maintaining close relationships with customers and partners is a central component of ASM’s strategy, the company has established the SMT Smart Network as a global forum for the active exchange of information between and with smart champions. In addition to being a founding member of the ADAMOS joint venture for the development of an IIoT platform for manufacturing companies, ASM is establishing together with other SMT manufacturers the open HERMES standard as a successor to the SMEMA standard for M2M communication in SMT lines.

About ASM Pacific Technology Limited

Headquartered in Singapore, ASMPT is a global technology and market leader in leading edge solutions and materials for the semiconductor assembly and packaging industries. Its surface mount technology solutions are deployed in a wide range of end-user markets including electronics, mobile communications, automotive, industrial, and LED. The company’s continuous investments in research and development help to provide its customers with innovative and cost-efficient solutions and systems that enable them to achieve higher productivity, greater reliability and enhanced quality.