Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1216587
Feature by the I-Connect007 Editorial Team In Part 1 of this conversation, Sagi Reuven— business development manager at Mentor a Siemens Business—makes the case that smart factory implementations must start with tra- ditional process analysis and improvement before the data capture process is useful. He also covers how sometimes the key to utilizing Industry 4.0 comes from a change in mindset rather than a drastic change or investment in new equipment or processes. Nolan Johnson: Sagi, the topic we'd like to explore is this: How does a PCB manufacturer or an assembly house adapt to a smart factory environment in their existing facility without shutting down to do so? What are the strate- gies and steps, and how does Mentor/Siemens envision their customers taking this approach? 12 SMT007 MAGAZINE I MARCH 2020 Sagi Reuven: It's a great question, and you touched on the point that we are concerned about. We're having the most issues whenever we approach a customer, even after they start the deployment. The first thing that we have to understand is that you work with manufac- turers. We have two product groups, more or less. One, in particular, is focused on design and engineering. In that sense, implementing a new software solution is much easier. Custom- ers can do that step-by-step; they don't have to shut down production, turn the machines off, or do it over the weekend. If there is a mis- take or a bug in the code, it doesn't mean that the machine in the line or the conveyor will stop. You can continue to work with another machine, so it's much easier compared to any- thing you do on the shop floor. We have two challenges. Challenge num- ber one is the fact that, overall, we see that Business Practices Drive the Smart Factory, Not the Other Way Around (Part 1)