American Made Advocacy: Success in Washington Requires Patience, Persistence, and Sustained Focus
The Government Circuit: News on Defense Electronics, Europe, and Sustainability
Defense Speak Interpreted: SWaPing Nanosatellites for Defense Systems
Data-driven Precision in PCBA Manufacturing
November 13, 2024 | Julie Cliche-Dubois, CogiscanEstimated reading time: 1 minute
The intricacies involved in electronics manufacturing require more than just expensive equipment and skilled technicians; they necessitate an accurate understanding of the entire production flow, informed and driven by access and visibility to reliable data.
As more manufacturers focus on factory data to improve their operations, they turn to advanced analytics platforms, like one offered by Cogiscan. This fully customizable platform was designed for PCBA manufacturing and is specifically geared toward low- to mid-volume mixed-vendor environments where changeover is frequent, many different brands of machines are on the production floor, and a continuous improvement mindset is culturally embedded from the shop floor to the top floor. In this article, we'll use our software platform as a use case for helping electronics manufacturers across all levels of the production operation.
The Data Imperative
Let’s begin at the beginning regarding getting the data from the shop floor. In the domain of printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) manufacturing, data is as abundant as it is complicated. The manufacturing line comprises diverse, specialized machines working together to create complex PCBAs. From solder paste printers that lay the solder paste foundation for healthy circuit connections to placement machines that populate the board with hundreds of different types of components, each piece of equipment generates a wealth of data. Reflow ovens, solder paste inspection (SPI) machines, and automated optical inspection (AOI) systems further contribute to the data stream with their critical roles in the quality of the finished product.
Figure 1: Illustration of typical PCBA manufacturer.
However, the true value of this data can only be realized when it is effectively enriched–– transformed from raw and nonsensical numbers into a coherent narrative to inform strategic decision-making. Collecting and processing data from disparate sources, this software program makes it possible to achieve a comprehensive view of the manufacturing line, multiple lines, or even distributed manufacturing sites. With enriched data, electronics manufacturers can improve their current operations and future-proof manufacturing capabilities by prioritizing opportunities for process optimization, ensuring that every decision made is grounded in the reality of the shop floor.
To continue reading this article, which originally appeared in the November 2024 issue of SMT007 Magazine, click here.
Share on:
Suggested Items
n-hop technologies Limited, OneAsia Network Limited Partner to Revolutionize Data Transfer and Networking Solutions
12/20/2024 | ACN Newswiren-hop technologies Limited, a leader in telecommunications and computer networking innovations, and OneAsia Network Limited (OneAsia), the AI factory enabler with data centres across APAC, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on pioneering large data transfer solutions and AI Data Centre networking technologies.
Avnet Insights: Engineers Outline Opportunity for AI
12/19/2024 | AvnetFor the fourth consecutive year, Avnet, Inc. (Nasdaq: AVT) will release its Avnet Insights survey, which has been keeping a pulse on how engineers are responding to the market since 2021. This year’s survey examines technology’s new frontier: Artificial Intelligence, and the promise – and challenges – it presents for product design.
Flex Factory Recognized for Manufacturing Excellence and Continuous Improvement by the Association for Manufacturing Excellence
12/19/2024 | FlexFlex announced that its Zhuhai, China site, specializing in advanced assembly, tool design and manufacturing, and metal and plastics capabilities for Lifestyle and Data Center customers, received an Excellence Award from the Association for Manufacturing Excellence (AME) for demonstrating world-class continuous improvement and results. This is the third consecutive year a Flex facility received an AME Excellence Award.
Statistically Testing Inner Layer Yield Improvement Projects
12/18/2024 | Dr. Patrick Valentine, UyemuraCan we trust our measurement system to give us reliable data? Is it accurate, repeatable, and reproducible? Measurement is the foundation of quality. We measure for two primary reasons: to make decisions on product quality and to provide data that will inform continuous improvement projects. We can engage in continuous improvement projects if we are confident in our measurement systems.
Rheinmetall, Auterion Working Together on Drone Technology and Developing Standard Operating System for Military Industries
12/17/2024 | RheinmetallScience Applications International Corp. has been awarded a prime position on the $1.8 billion Personnel and Readiness Infrastructure Support Management (PRISM) Multiple Award Task Order Contract (MATOC) vehicle to support the Department of Defense (DoD) and its need to obtain critical services in a shorter time frame. The contract award is for one base year and four option years.