Advances in artificial intelligence have been limited exclusively to the human world until now, but there are far-reaching applications within the manufacturing sector, too. By using the right combination of AI technologies, manufacturers can boost their efficiency, improve flexibility, speed up processes, and even achieve self-optimizing processes at production sites. Facing a chronic skilled labor shortage, the electronics manufacturing industry can realize complete automation of the factory with the help of AI technologies. Learn how equipment providers like Koh Young are enabling the Smart Factory of the Future by adopting AI to generate "knowledge" from "experience."
Brent Fischthal
With a progressive career in marketing and sales leadership roles within the global electronics assembly industry, Brent Fischthal brings industry-focused experience in marketing strategy, sales management, business intelligence, and product management from positions held previously at Panasonic Factory Solutions, Philips Assembléon, Quad Systems, and Universal Instruments.
Brent is currently the Senior Manager for Americas Marketing and Regional Sales with Koh Young America. Brent earned a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing from West Virginia University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Florida Hough Graduate School of Business.
In support of the electronics manufacturing industry advancement, Brent serves as the president of the SMTA Carolinas Chapter, and is a member of the SMTA Marketing, IPC-CFX, IPC-DPMX, and IPC trade show committees. Additionally, he serves on the MESA International Global Board of Directors and is the published author of several technical articles and white papers focused on assembly and inspection solutions.
The Printed Circuit Assembler's Guide to... SMT Inspection: Today, Tomorrow, and Beyond
Currently, surface mount technology lines are monitored by two key inspection processes. The first, SPI, reviews the printed circuit board after solder paste has been applied and before components are placed. The second, AOI, reviews the PCB assembly after the board has been assembled and reflowed (or soldered). Now technologists are also using AOI pre-reflow to ensure parts are placed correctly before they are soldered into place.
Beyond their job of identifying errors and preventing incorrect boards from continuing along the line, these inspection processes provide the data needed to improve the performance of the entire line. SPI and AOI can both be used to make live line adjustments to improve quality without stopping the line, and to provide data that helps identify the root causes of failures or variances.
For companies to succeed in the development of Industry 4.0--and perhaps even beyond as we drive toward manufacturing autonomy--they will need inspection solutions, and inspection partners, that can combine domain expertise in optical inspection (vision and software) with the ability to connect to larger systems and contribute to process improvement utilizing tools like artificial intelligence.
