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
Book Excerpt: The Printed Circuit Assembler’s Guide to... Factory Analytics, Chapter 2
July 17, 2024 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamEstimated reading time: 1 minute
Chapter 2: SMT Process: A Treasure Trove of Data
As the central workhorse of the PCB assembly process, the SMT line is where most of the action happens for electronics manufacturers. While there are a variety of different configurations possible for an SMT line, for the purposes of this book, let’s assume an SMT line consists of the following: solder paste dispensing machine followed by a screen printer machine, solder paste inspection machine, two placement machines, a reflow oven, ending with an automated optical inspection (AOI) machine (Figure 2.1).
The SMT line contains a treasure chest of analytics: ripe with rich data, the different analytics available within this process likely number somewhere in the hundreds (depending on your preferences for nuances and slicing and dicing numbers). In the same vein as a vendor agnostic connectivity solution, the most effective analytics platform will also be vendor neutral. And while multiple tools may be used throughout the factory, it is critical that, within each of these tools, the data is being normalized the same.
Regardless of the type of analytics tool in use, especially considering the chosen platform will likely evolve over time, the data must be normalized and labelled uniformly. Snapshots from each machine interface will not be enough, nor will it be efficient when looking to better understand the comprehensive performance of the factory—or for many manufacturers’ factories.
In this chapter, we’ll focus on the most important analytics at the forefront of SMT, from the solder paste machine to placement machines, and breakdown these metrics from the perspectives of the different decision makers involved in the process. The lead SMT shift manager isn’t going to have the same concerns as a quality manager, so it’s important to look at how each machine and operation contains valuable KPIs for each role.
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
Dow Reports Q3 2025 Results
10/24/2025 | DowDow reported third-quarter 2025 net sales of $10.0 billion, down 8% year-over-year, as the company continued to advance cost reduction initiatives and operational improvements amid challenging market conditions.
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.
Mycronic Reports Strong Order Growth of 67% in Q3 2025
10/23/2025 | Mycronic ABMycronic AB has announced its interim results for January–September 2025, reporting robust order intake growth and continued strength across several divisions despite a temporary dip in quarterly net sales and EBIT margins.
MacDermid Alpha Expands Laboratory Facilities in Thailand to Strengthen Regional Innovation and Customer Collaboration
10/23/2025 | MacDermid AlphaMacDermid Alpha Electronics Solutions, a global leader in chemicals and materials for electronic manufacturing, announced the opening of its expanded laboratory in Bangkok, Thailand.
Indium Introduces 2026 DIY Internship Program to Empower the Next Generation of Industry Leaders
10/21/2025 | Indium CorporationIndium Corporation is proud to announce its 2026 Internship Program, introducing a do-it-yourself (DIY) format that allows students to shape a personalized professional experience based on their individual career goals and interests.