-
- News
- Books
Featured Books
- smt007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current IssueProduction Software Integration
EMS companies need advanced software systems to thrive and compete. But these systems require significant effort to integrate and deploy. What is the reality, and how can we make it easier for everyone?
Spotlight on India
We invite you on a virtual tour of India’s thriving ecosystem, guided by the Global Electronics Association’s India office staff, who share their insights into the region’s growth and opportunities.
Supply Chain Strategies
A successful brand is built on strong customer relationships—anchored by a well-orchestrated supply chain at its core. This month, we look at how managing your supply chain directly influences customer perception.
- Articles
- Columns
- Links
- Media kit
||| MENU - smt007 Magazine
Sanmina: Automation in Production Lines
October 10, 2014 | Richard Ayes, I-Connect007Estimated reading time: 1 minute

There has been much discussion about the increasing amount of automation in the world of electronics assembly. Editor Richard Ayes recently asked Gelston Howell, senior vice president at Sanmina, to provide perspective on the state of manufacturing automation. Sanmina knows something about automation: The company is a $6 billion integrated manufacturing solutions provider with extensive experience in helping OEMs design and manufacture complex electronic products.
In this interview, Howell discusses the current state of automated electronics assembly systems, the inherent risks and challenges, and the future of robotics in manufacturing.
Richard Ayes: Which production operations can be easily automated?
Gelston Howell: Products as diverse as automobiles and consumer products have been produced using various levels of automation for more than 40 years. What’s new is that more complex electronic products, such as some smart phones and sophisticated medical devices, are being produced using factory automation. Apple’s phenomenally successful iPhones and notebook computers for example, traditionally assembled using primarily manual processes, are now beginning to employ more automated assembly lines.
The medical device industry has been going through a similar transition, with disposable medical device manufacturers designing machines to automate complex and precise operations. Of course, driving down costs is a priority, but the evolution is partly due to the desire to improve quality and reduce costs for products with increasing complexity. For example, until recently a respiratory inhaler would have consisted of only mechanical parts, but now electronics are embedded in the product, improving functionality. As a result of the increased complexity, automated lines are being developed to manage costs and produce devices with extremely high quality.
Industrial sectors, such as clean technology and automotive electronics, are also exploring how automation can help them get products to market at lower costs and with better quality. Regardless of the industry segment, applying automation for products manufactured in high volumes can result in substantially reduced costs.
Ayes: Conversely, which operations are difficult to automate?
Howell: Automated assembly can be used to produce new products or replace an existing manual manufacturing process, but not all products will benefit from automation. When evaluating which products are a good fit for automation, there are numerous variables, including financial analysis, time to market, product design and operations considerations.
Read the full article here.
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the September 2014 issue of SMT Magazine.
Testimonial
"We’re proud to call I-Connect007 a trusted partner. Their innovative approach and industry insight made our podcast collaboration a success by connecting us with the right audience and delivering real results."
Julia McCaffrey - NCAB GroupSuggested Items
Rehm Optimizes Customer Service with a Digital Ticket System
10/02/2025 | Rehm Thermal SystemsKnowledge management and transparency are becoming increasingly important for productivity and quality in customer service.
Tobii, STMicroelectronics Enter Mass Production of Breakthrough Interior Sensing Technology
10/02/2025 | Globe NewswireTobii, the global leader in eye tracking and pioneer of attention computing, and STMicroelectronics, a global semiconductor leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications, announced the beginning of mass production of an advanced interior sensing system for a premium European carmaker.
Consolidation of IMI Kuichong in Shenzhen, China
10/02/2025 | IMIAs part of Integrated Micro-Electronic Inc.’s (IMI) continued efforts to drive efficiency across the organization, the company has successfully transferred the manufacturing activities of IMI Kuichong to its nearby facility in Pingshan, Shenzhen.
NOTE Expands in the UK with Acquisition of Kasdon Group
10/02/2025 | NOTENOTE has signed an agreement to acquire 100% of the shares in Kasdon Group, a UK-based electronics contract manufacturer with a strong position in the defense sector, which accounts for around 50% of its revenue.
North American EMS Industry Shipments Down 1.4% in August
10/02/2025 | Global Electronics AssociationThe Global Electronics Association announced the August 2025 findings from its North American Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) Statistical Program. The book-to-bill ratio stands at 1.26.