-
- News
- Books
Featured Books
- smt007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current IssueComing to Terms With AI
In this issue, we examine the profound effect artificial intelligence and machine learning are having on manufacturing and business processes. We follow technology, innovation, and money as automation becomes the new key indicator of growth in our industry.
Box Build
One trend is to add box build and final assembly to your product offering. In this issue, we explore the opportunities and risks of adding system assembly to your service portfolio.
IPC APEX EXPO 2024 Pre-show
This month’s issue devotes its pages to a comprehensive preview of the IPC APEX EXPO 2024 event. Whether your role is technical or business, if you're new-to-the-industry or seasoned veteran, you'll find value throughout this program.
- Articles
- Columns
Search Console
- Links
- Events
||| MENU - smt007 Magazine
Matt Kelly: The Digital Factory is Now
April 5, 2022 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamEstimated reading time: 3 minutes
The I-Connect007 Editorial Team spoke with Matt Kelly, IPC chief technologist, about Factory of the Future. In this wide-ranging conversation, the team starts with the premise that factory automation is no longer a future topic, but a concern for right now. The conversation takes a closer look at the need for digitization, upskilling the workforce, ensuring ROI is gained from digitizing the factory and, at the center of it all, the need for a strong commitment to move forward as a company.
Nolan Johnson: Matt, you and John Mitchell have been making the point that North America seems to be five to 10 years behind Europe and Asia regarding Industry 4.0 and automation efforts. It was clear at IPC APEX EXPO 2022 that you were making that call to action. From your perspective, where does the electronics industry need to go?
Matt Kelly: First, we want to avoid the potential us vs. them, the U.S. vs. anybody. When we share the message that “North America is behind,” it’s meant to be encouraging and to set a tone of urgency. It’s meant to say, “Don’t kid yourself, because there are many companies that are already doing this.” That’s what I find really fascinating with the Factory of the Future. There are a lot more companies doing this than people think; they’re just not talking about it. The reason is many are lower margin businesses investing hard-earned money back into their operations. Any gains they realize they want to either retain for themselves as profit, for organizational improvements or operational efficiency, or they’re passing it along to their customers.
One of the difficulties is that many do not want to show their cards. Either they are remaining quiet about what they’re doing, or they haven’t started. They might not know where to start or what to do. Small companies think it’s only for large companies, which is just not true. Most advancements we’ve seen during the pandemic are from small- to medium-size enterprises in Europe. That breaks the rule, right?
At the end of the day, we want to promote advancement across the globe to improve overall global supply chain and manufacturing advancements and to communicate that there is a big gap, which continues to widen, as long as North America does not implement Factory of the Future at the same rates as Europe and Asia.
Barry Matties: When we phrase it as “factory of the future,” does that suggest we’re still waiting for technology to become available, or is it already available?
Kelly: It’s already available, and this brings up a good point about whether we need to change the Factory of the Future wording.
Matties: I think so, personally. It causes delays, allowing companies to say, “I don’t have to think about this right now. Maybe a year, two years down the road.” Meanwhile, as you’re pointing out, there are companies today that are already investing in and implementing that future.
Dan Feinberg: By saying Factory of the Future, they think they don’t have to worry about it now, but they do. Look at some of the planned factories, like Intel’s new semiconductor facility, and some of the Taiwanese companies that are putting semiconductor fabs into North America. Are they using Factory of the Future?
Kelly: Yes, they are; they have to. The semiconductor industry has been automated and using closed-loop data feedback processes for over 20 years already, including in North America. They have to in order to achieve necessary yields and quality to be profitable.
To read this entire conversation, which appeared in the April 2022 issue of SMT007 Magazine, click here.
Suggested Items
Real Time with… IPC APEX EXPO 2024: Insulectro on Attracting Young Talent to the Electronics Manufacturing Industry
05/16/2024 | Real Time with...IPC APEX EXPOInsulectro's Doug Gotelli and Mitchell Benson explore the challenges of drawing young talent into the electronics manufacturing industry. They underscore the significance of manufacturing and the urgency of tackling the workforce shortage. They also discuss internship programs, the industry's resilience amid the pandemic, and the rewarding experiences of working in this sector.
European Chips Skills Academy Launches Summer School in Italy to Promote Microelectronics Industry Careers
05/16/2024 | SEMIUniversity students will connect with professors to explore semiconductor learning paths and employment opportunities at the European Chip Skills Academy Summer School, August 18-23, 2024 in Bologna, Italy.
SEMICON West 2024 to Spotlight U.S. Chip Industry Investments, Supply Chain Resilience, Talent, and Global Growth and Innovation
05/15/2024 | SEMISEMICON West 2024 will gather industry experts and leaders July 9-11 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco for insights into the latest trends and innovations in sustainability, supply chain management, workforce development and other critical industry issues.
A Potpourri of Design PD Classes
05/14/2024 | Kelly Dack, I-Connect007What is invention without innovation? What is innovation without capability? Kelly Dack addresses these questions and more in this review of the Professional Development courses at IPC APEX EXPO, including the flex course lead by "Flexperts" Mark Finstad and Nick Koop.
Viscom’s Approach to Inline X-Ray
05/14/2024 | Barry Matties, I-Connect007In this interview, Viscom President Ed Moll and CEO Jesper Lykke discuss the importance of inline X-rays for real-time data and board inspection. They also discuss AI integration, customer inquiries, and ROI considerations. Also, as Ed moves into semi-retirement, he reflects on his long career, recent developments, and the evolving X-ray industry. He shares his insights on career opportunities for emerging engineers in the industry.