-
- 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
New Products for Process Control in the PCB Assembly Facility: MES/ERP, Barcode Readers, and More
May 21, 2010 |Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
— These new products include machine controllers, ERP software, a barcode scanner, laser marker, ESD control, MES, and other line-control products for SMT assembly.
Machine Hardware Control with CAN Bus Interface
Proworks can now support machine hardware control using a CAN Bus interface. ProWorks has traditionally helped capital equipment manufacturers build products, not only by walking their operators through the step-by-step processes to build the product, but also by taking over control of equipment using an RS-232 interface. This control is typically used to cycle the equipment, take measurements from the equipment, and log those results without human intervention. A new feature of the interface for ProWorks version 7.2 is the ability to control equipment through a CAN (Controller Area Network) Bus interface, which is very common among PLCs and machine interfaces. The introduction of CAN Bus support inside ProWorks will significantly improve the flexibility of ProWorks as a Work Instruction Solution. ProWorks, a division of Everett Charles Technologies, www.proworksinfo.com
ERP Software for PCB and Electronics Manufacturers
New products, modules, and features were added to the Cimnet Systems PCB products suite. Panelizer – Panel layout optimization is an important step in the PCB design and manufacturing process. This new solution automates panelization by arranging parts and coupons for maximum raw material utilization and manufacturability with both rectangular and complex shapes. Next generation quoting solution - Adapted from Consona’s CS Configurator, provides a web-based PCB quotation solution, fully customizable from user screens to calculation methods. Try it virtually risk free with a cloud-computing deployment. New Flex-Rigid Stack-up module for Engenix - Expanding the engineering automation capabilities even further, the new Rigid-Flex capabilities simplifies building complex structures and ensures accurate stack-up and impedance calculations. Impedance Coupon Generation output for Engenix - Generates custom coupons for impedance-controlled boards. Replace manual calculations with automatically generated coupon data ready for CAM import, based on the specific impedance requirements. New Alert & Analysis Module for Paradigm ERP - Enabling business critical decision making without relying on reports, System Alerts allow customized email messaging and desktop notifications without logging into the application. Cimnet Systems, www.cim-sys.com and Consona Corporation, www.consona.com
Scan Station
Scan station WL 500 ID-PS for reading of various codes on PCBs or optionally other devices. This solution is suitable for any production line, where process stations need information of the provided devices before processing them. WL 500 ID-PS was developed according to the latest technological and efficiency standards. The included scanner is gimbaled centralized above the device and reads codes onto PCBs with a maximum size of up to 460 x 460 mm (other sizes upon request). This saves construction costs (no axial system or safety lock and switches necessary) and speeds up the system. A second scanner can be optionally located under the PCB for scanning codes on both sides in parallel. WL 500 ID-PS has a “look & feel” menu navigation for simple, intuitive programming and handling of the station. Any amount of reading programs as well as product-specific reading parameters can be saved on an integrated PC with color monitor. WL 500 ID-PS can be directly connected to an existing data network for device traceabililty. ROMMEL GmbH, a member of the Mühlbauer group, www.muehlbauer.de
Line-speed Fiber Laser Marker
The 3-axis MD-F3000 Fiber Laser Marker for direct part marking delivers 30 W of power directly on the target surface ensuring that dense, hard metals can be permanently marked and etched in a matter of milliseconds. The ultra-small head offers a small footprint for fast, easy installation in tight spaces. The MD-F’s head has a fan-less design and is completely sealed from dirt and dust. Newly developed software also enables improved marking quality, speed, and ease of operation. The MD-F3000 Series also incorporates KEYENCE’s 3-axis beam control system for high-quality, distortion-free marking across the full 300 mm2 area without the need indexing mechanisms. This is combined with other standard laser marker features offered by KEYENCE, such as an internal power monitor, sample marking function, encoder inputs, date-time functionality, touch panel interface and storage of up to 2000 programs. KEYENCE’s Marking Builder-2 Software has also been upgraded with a new Quality Function, which blends advanced parameters for creating high-quality marks at high-speed into one set of options for a user to choose. Keyence Corporation of America, www.keyence.com/PRMDF
Software Integration across SMT Production
The new version of its SIPLACE OIB (Operations Information Broker) offers an optimized multi-vendor integration platform for electronics production. With SIPLACE OIB, applications from different vendors can exchange data with each other in order to completely and transparently map the SMT process chains in heterogeneous IT infrastructures. SIPLACE OIB can link previously isolated applications both horizontally across different machines and lines as well as vertically from the machine controller to MES and ERP systems. SIPLACE OIB maintains this integration after updates, version changes or the replacement of individual software components. Software updates can be performed separately for each application. This makes it easier to link previously separate software modules, minimizes the risk of production failures after software updates, and reduces administrative requirements. SIPLACE OIB administers and forwards SIPLACE production data and ensures that complex and time-consuming software management is eliminated so that all players in the process chain can operate with a single database using functional interfaces. The integration platform for the SMT process chain is open for other hardware and software manufacturers. Other software manufacturers can seamlessly process the SIPLACE business logic, including the data it generates, without having to use or replicate the SIPLACE user interface. Electronics manufacturers can use the SIPLACE data as-is in other applications and process steps. Siemens Electronics Assembly Systems GmbH & Co. KG (SEAS), www.siplace.com
Operator ESD Controls
These dual conductor coil cords, wrist straps and exceptional resistance workstation monitor, the CM2015, are said to be the most reliable grounding system available. Resistance monitors use specialized wrist bands and ground cords, which contain two independent conducting elements that provide fail-safe ground protection. The CM2015 uses only 200mv and continuously monitors 2 operators and 2 work surfaces. Designed to compare with 3M dual conductor wrist straps, the products use design elements of patent #5018044. Transforming Technologies and 3M’s dual conductor products are functionally equivalent according to Transforming Technologies, and therefore the wrist bands, coil cords and resistance monitors can be use together in any combination. Transforming Technologies, www.transforming-technologies.com
Enterprise Edition MES Software
PanaCIM Enterprise Edition MES software version 8.1 expands the functionality of the nine modules in this manufacturing execution software system (The nine modules comprise Production Analysis, Production Planning, Production Monitoring and Dispatch, Material Verification, Traceability, Material Control, Product Changeover and Control, Maintenance, and Enterprise Link). Primary/Dependent Part Binning Support is a feature added to automatically assist with part class matching requirements. This enhancement is especially beneficial for LED applications due to the necessity of matching each LED diode with an appropriate resistor in order to maintain the same LED brightness across electronic display panels. Offline feeder and cart setup has also been augmented to fully reinforce correct component reel-to-feeder and feeder-to-cart locations before production commences. To further strengthen its global use, all modules of the software now also support the Japanese language and additional anguages can be added upon request. The visual control panel (VCP) of the Production Monitoring and Dispatch module can now be customized at the user-level for site-specific needs such as branding requirements and arrangement preferences. And the Enterprise Link module now allows for even more exportable real-time data to keep third-party ERP/MRP systems updated with information such as boards produced and scrapped part quantities without having to wait for a production run to finish. Panasonic Factory Solutions Company of America, www.panasonicfa.com/panacimenterprise
Controller to Eliminate Production Errors
The Ethernet-enabled Cycle Stop Controller electrically integrates with the cycle stop circuit of any machine type. When used in conjunction with any Cogiscan software module such as Line Setup Control (LSC), Route Control and MSD Control, the application forces the machine to stop processing when a process validation error occurs. This eliminates the risk of building defective product due to invalid machine setup or trying to perform an operation out of sequence. The Cycle Stop Controller can also be integrated with any third-party software application with a simple communication protocol using TCP/IP socket connection. Cogiscan Inc., www.cogiscan.com
Low-cost Software Suite for Small- to Mid-sized Manufacturers
The CheckMate Manufacturers’ Suite integrates applications (WIP Lite, Job Costing with Time and Attendance, Stockroom Inventory Control, Toolroom Tool Tracking and Capital Asset Tracking). This new release allows the applications to share the inventory database and employee identification codes, thus making it possible to cost jobs and track important assets without time consuming data entry. CheckMate is now able to track and cost jobs, maintain an accurate account of inventory, gather payroll information and keep track of important tools in an integrated system. Bar codes are printed on work orders, badges and labels for tools and inventory. Bar code scanners (either corded to a PC or portable) scan the bar codes during transactions to record the movement or use of the job or item. This information is transmitted to accounting, sales or purchasing to produce job costing reports, employee attendance information, parts reorder reports and much more. New features have been added to the CheckMate software packages as well, including the ability to set min/max levels for the same inventory item in multiple locations and to allow 5 “attachments” per record (such as a build of materials, manual, photo, etc.) Signature Capture on a portable terminal provides proof of delivery of tools or inventory items. Advantages realized from using CheckMate include: reduction of late jobs, ability to identify bottlenecks, improvement in productivity, reduction of employees’ frustrations, accurate job costing, collection of employee hours for payroll, and increased customer service, with typical ROI in 4 months, according to the company. Dynamic Systems Inc. (DSI), www.abarcode.com
Join the PennWell SMT Group on LinkedIn
Become a Fan on SMT's Facebook Page
Post your electronics manufacturing, SMT-related material to the #SMT community on Twitter. Use the #SMT hashtag.