Learning With Leo: UHDI—The Next Leap in PCB Manufacturing
Nolan’s Notes: Is Mexico the Pulse of Electronics in the Americas?
Standard of Excellence: Speed vs. Quality in Customer Service
Cimetrix Helping to Digitize Factories
April 16, 2020 | Dan Feinberg, Technology Editor, I-Connect007Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
Dan Feinberg met with Cimetrix’s Ranjan Chatterjee to discuss how their new Sapience software allows factories to establish communication with a wide variety of equipment across multiple lines and multiple facilities across the whole industry.
Dan Feinberg: Cimetrix’s software products deliver factory automation. Tell me about it, particularly the software for connectivity, analytics, and sensing, which, from what I understand is your specialty.
Ranjan Chatterjee: Yes. We work on automating the machines, collecting data from those machines, and performing analytics on it. In other words, we provide software on both sides of the pipe as well. We provide the pipe as well We provide you with control capabilities as well as connectivity capabilities on the machines to automate them. We connect any kind of machines across the whole industry, whether it’s semiconductor front end, semiconductor back end, or PCB assembly. We have customers in all of these industries. Most wafer fabrication customers use our products to do analytics, and then we provide OEE and those kinds of things. We prefer standards, but sometimes we do custom projects.
Feinberg: The semiconductor industry and board fabrication are closely connected. What are some of the similarities you see between the two?
Chatterjee: Because of the advances in packaging technology, the boundaries between the industries are blurring. SMT machines are handling wafers now, for example. PCB industries are using a variety of non-traditional substrates that require a cleanroom.
Feinberg: Likewise, what are the key differences that make implementations unique between these two industries?
Chatterjee: The main difference is the cost and complexity of the manufacturing equipment and processes in the two industries. Investment in semiconductors is much higher. Still, the need for data and analytics is the same for every industry.
Feinberg: What other software do you have? What have you been working on?
Chatterjee: One of the main things we’re working on is this platform called Sapience, which is a platform for connecting any equipment with any protocol into various apps. We provide test APIs, and you can write an app. Think of it as like iOS, where you have the Apple store. They would provide you the ability to write your own application, and we will run the store; then, you will be able to connect to any kind of device, machine, robot, or a sensor.
To read this entire interview, which appeared in the March 2020 issue of SMT007 Magazine, click here.
Share on:
Testimonial
"Your magazines are a great platform for people to exchange knowledge. Thank you for the work that you do."
Simon Khesin - Schmoll MaschinenSuggested Items
Target Condition: Distribution of Power—Denounce the Ounce
11/05/2025 | Kelly Dack -- Column: Target ConditionHave you ever wondered why the PCB design segment uses ounces to describe copper thickness? There’s a story behind all of this—a story that’s old, dusty, and more than a little absurd. (Note that I didn’t add “Like many of us.”) Legend has it that back in the days of copper tinkers and roofing tradesmen, the standard was set when a craftsman hammered out a sheet of copper until it weighed one ounce, when its area conveniently matched the square of the king’s foot.
Life Is a Highway: A Family of 8 Turned the Entire U.S. Into a Learning and Working Environment
11/04/2025 | Steven Bowles, Lockheed MartinIt’s 6:45 a.m. in a modern A-frame cabin tucked into the misty edges of the Cascade Range in Arlington, Washington. I’ve just made a quick Nespresso, checked my calendar of virtual meetings, and verified the Airbnb’s Wi-Fi speed is holding steady. In the next room, my wife Lynsey corrals our six kids into breakfast while planning a day trip to Seattle’s Children’s Museum. By 7:30, I’m camera-ready in a makeshift office nook, leading a discussion on HDI PCB design for an IPC standards committee. After a busy day, our Bowles crew, ranging in age from 1 to 10 years old, is hands-on with activities and exhibits in the museum.
TTM Technologies Receives Two Awards from the Global Electronics Association at the 2025 IPC CEMAC Conference
11/03/2025 | Globe NewswireTTM Technologies, Inc. announced that two of its team members received prestigious Asia Steering Committee Outstanding Service Awards from the Global Electronics Association (formerly named IPC connecting global electronics industry) at the 2025 IPC CEMAC Electronics Manufacturing Annual Conference in Shanghai.
TTCI Brings Hands-On Test Engineering and IPC Training Expertise to PCB Carolina 2025
10/31/2025 | The Test Connection Inc.The Test Connection Inc. (TTCI), a trusted provider of electronic test and manufacturing solutions, and The Training Connection LLC (TTC-LLC) will exhibit at PCB Carolina on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at the McKimmon Center at NC State University in Raleigh, North Carolina. Attendees can visit Table 4 to say hello to Bert Horner and Bill Graver, and learn more about their test engineering services and technical training programs.
The Training Connection Continues to Grow with Addition of Veteran IPC Trainer Bill Graver
10/30/2025 | The Training Connection LLCThe Training Connection, LLC (TTC-LLC), a premier provider of test engineering and development training, is proud to announce the addition of Bill Graver to its growing team of industry experts. A respected professional with more than 35 years in electronics manufacturing, Bill joins as an IPC Master Trainer, bringing a wealth of hands-on experience in PCB testing, failure analysis, and process improvement.