Electronics Manufacturing: Enterprise Resource Planning; New Product Introduction; Inspection; Test

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Part 4:  Competency as an EMS provider involves crucial processes

When choosing an EMS provider, it is imperative to find one that employs resource planning to manufacture Circuit Card Assemblies (CCAs) in a paperless environment.  Applying new product methodology helps to ensure the highest caliber of finished product.

ERP:  Enterprise Resource Planning

A superior ERP system is a primary tool to facilitate a paperless electronics manufacturing environment. The entire manufacturing process can be pulled, tracked, assembled, and sent to shipping with the same system that first received the parts into the facility.  Parts are integrated into final assemblies via a continuous flow that minimizes delivery time and reduces costs.   Barcode scanning ensures traceability for each individual part.  All deviations from the CCA specification or manufacturing plan are captured and communicated in real time to all operators, greatly reducing the opportunity for error. 

NPI:  New Product Introduction

The NPI process integrates manufacturing and design engineering to develop a pilot product and complete a short manufacturing run before volume production begins.  Manufacturer – Customer interface is centered on developing Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Test (DFT) protocols.  VALOR software is a tool often employed at this stage to analyze electronic drawings for potential defects that could arise from design rule violations.  NPI starts early in product development in order to ensure a smooth and seamless transition to manufacturing.  EMS providers embracing NPI processes are much more cost/time effective.

Automation: Complementing the right equipment

Automated processes reduce cycle times and increase quality and manufacturing yields. The best machines in the world can compromise reliability and efficiency if the controls are not in place to properly introduce, set up, operate, and maintain these machines in the manufacturing process.  Automated product lines need to be monitored and maintained correctly to continuously produce high quality yields.  Automated Optical Inspection (AOI), solder paste measurement, and X-Ray are tools that should be used to monitor product quality from automated assembly lines.  A comprehensive preventative maintenance program is very important to maintaining top performance and consistency of the robotic equipment deployed throughout the manufacturing area.  Key to keeping the ‘continuous flow’ is the order in which the machinery is placed.  A well-planned manufacturing facility can optimize its efficiency greatly by using proven engineering and lean manufacturing techniques.

Inspection and Test:  A fundamental part of the EMS verification process

Manufacturing defects can escalate costs and decrease profitability and dependability.  Circuit cards and electronic assemblies may go through a number of tests depending on their ultimate use.  Test types may include Thermal, Thermal Shock, Environmental, Functional, Vibration, Altitude, and ICT (In Circuit Test).  An EMS provider that offers Environmental testing capabilities is prepared to manufacture a more diverse range of CCAs.  Testing of a properly configured system will not only validate parts accuracy but also provide full power functional test.  

Conclusion: An EMS provider should complement the EMS need

Symetrics offers a plethora of systems from new product planning to an intricate test facility.  Their size enables them to optimize responsiveness thereby maximizing customer satisfaction.

For more information:  Symetrics Industries

Symetrics Industries is a provider of extremely high-reliability electronic assemblies traditionally for military applications.  For more information on Electronics Manufacturing, please visit our website at www.symetrics.com.  To follow the EMS Series, see our website under “Did You Know”.