Standard of Excellence: Speed vs. Quality in Customer Service
Knocking Down the Bone Pile: Revamp Your Components with BGA Reballing
Global Sourcing Spotlight: Balancing Speed and Flexibility Without Sacrificing Control
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:
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
SEMI Reports Global Silicon Wafer Shipments to Rebound 5.4% in 2025, with New Record Expected by 2028
10/30/2025 | SEMIGlobal shipments of silicon wafers are projected to increase 5.4% in 2025 to 12,824 million square inches (MSI) followed by steady growth through 2028 when the market is expected to reach a new industry record of 15,485 MSI, SEMI reported in its annual silicon shipment forecast.
productronica 2025: iTAC Presents AI-supported Knowledge Platform for Connected Production
10/29/2025 | iTAC Software AGIn modern manufacturing facilities, valuable knowledge is stored in systems, documents, and the minds of employees – often fragmented, isolated, and not centrally available.
Unlocking the Promise of AI in Electronics Manufacturing
10/29/2025 | Shobhit Agrawal, Keysight TechnologiesThe electronics manufacturing industry is rapidly evolving as more complicated products are introduced in the production lines, which require technological advancements even in the production processes. The requirements for production that is efficient, product quality that is greater, and product life cycles that are shorter are more crucial than ever before. In the electronic device life cycle, from design to maintenance, test phases have a significant impact on the economy of the company. Test processes are closely linked to the production volume and impacted by the complexity of the product. For businesses to maintain their competitive edge, they need to adopt innovative solutions and redefine processes.
Better Sustainability Policies for Electronics
10/29/2025 | Diana Radovan, Global Electronics AssociationI joined the Global Electronics Association in August 2025 as the director of sustainability policy. Since then, much has happened in terms of geopolitics and in the development and re-envisioning of sustainability policies in the industry. While the European Commission has released several legislative packages to simplify sustainability requirements (“omnibus”), these developments haven’t yet settled and are not in effect. Given the many recent and ongoing public consultations, with often conflicting input from a broad range of stakeholders, final negotiations remain rather polarized among policymakers.
SEMI Reports Global Silicon Wafer Shipments to Rebound 5.4% in 2025, with New Record Expected by 2028
10/29/2025 | SEMIGlobal shipments of silicon wafers are projected to increase 5.4% in 2025 to 12,824 million square inches (MSI) followed by steady growth through 2028 when the market is expected to reach a new industry record of 15,485 MSI, SEMI reported today in its annual silicon shipment forecast.