ASM and Technica USA Share Smart Factory Expertise at Joint Technology Forum

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Assembly specialists from across the United States recently took part in the ASM–Technica USA Technology Forum, which took place over July 19 and 20 at the Club Auto Sport Event Center and Technica USA's San Jose, California training facility. The workshop, entitled "Industry 4.0: How to Implement the Smart #1 SMT Factory", provided attendees with a broad range of solutions for moving toward Industry 4.0 capability.

"While most assembly specialists understand Industry 4.0 conceptually and some have begun implementing pieces of the automated smart factory, this technology forum provided practical solutions for elevating factory efficiency today, while offering insightful advice on preparing for the next level of digitalization and automation for electronics manufacturing," explains Mark Ogden, ASM's Senior Manager, Regional Marketing Americas.

The two-day, interactive event offered in-depth presentations from ASM and Cogiscan experts on a variety of topics including a high-level overview and definition of the Smart Factory, integration of shop floor systems for improved operational visibility and traceability, efficiency-enhancing material management systems and techniques, and the impact of consumables and tool selection on yield improvement. The presentations were augmented with live equipment, consumables and stencil presentations, allowing attendees a hands-on experience for real-world factory integration.

Guests at the event had the opportunity to work with a DEK Neo Horizon 03iX print platform, SIPLACE SX2 placement machine, DEK VectorGuard stencils, DEK Grid-Lok automatic board support, and take part in a placement and set-up changeover exercise that included NPI and component teach programming, feeder changeover and material stock strategies.

"Seminar participants walked away from the two days with a better understanding of the requirements for implementation of true digitalization," comments Ogden, who opened the seminar with his presentation defining the smart factory. "While achieving an Industry 4.0 level of automation is a longer journey, discussions at the event revolved around material management and stencil technologies that can immediately raise yield and efficiency garnered great interest. In fact, ASM is already engaged with several attendees who are eager to integrate our process support products and material management tools."