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JULY 2022 I PCB007 MAGAZINE 89 Keeping employees safe is also fun- damental to high quality, high yield production. Employees who feel assured of their welfare can focus their attention on top-quality work. Providing employees with places to take breaks to recharge and rest and sustaining robust safety mea- sures promotes employee well-being and investment in their work. Reg- ular equipment maintenance also substantially factors into worker safety and ensures that processes flow smoothly. Working in a safe and low stress environment increases employee loyalty—helping to sustain a sta- ble, expert team motivated to produce quality products. Implementing a QMS and Adopting Lean Principles Well-defined operating procedures provide another key component to high yield produc- tion. Establishing a quality management sys- tem (QMS) and achieving International Orga- nization for Standardization (ISO) 9001 certifi- cation signal a high value of quality that stands out in the marketplace. While the cost of time and resources may appear daunting, investing in this process can facilitate a standard of con- tinuous quality improvement. Guaranteeing that your organization adheres to ISO's certifi- cation requirements, specifications, and guide- lines translates to consistency and quality for both process and product. Improved data, generated through a QMS's consistent documentation, lays the ground- work for evidence-based decision making, providing an informed approach to achiev- able goals. It can help identify valuable areas for continuous and up-to-date technician training that will enhance skill and renew employee dedication to the task at hand. It also allows for accurate, regular review of processes to remove waste and maintain Lean manufacturing. Integrating the strategies described here aligns with a Lean manufacturing (Lean) philosophy focused on eliminating any pro- duction component that does not deliver value to the customer. is approach requires comprehensive and ongoing process improve- ment. Starting from the customer's need for timely, cost-effective PCBs, a Lean approach to improvement works backward from end prod- uct to the beginning of the manufacturing pro- cess. It assesses each aspect of the process, seizing opportunities to increase efficiency and getting rid of waste along the way. It requires looking beyond the production floor to make innovative process improvements and com- mitted leadership that sets appropriate expec- tations at every level. is comprehensive sys- tem provides the way forward to accomplish high yield rates that keep up with the increas- ing complexity of modern technology. Don't settle for sub-95% yields. We believe better is possible, and manufacturers who adopt these principles and processes can improve production yield rates. PCB007 Matt Stevenson is the VP of sales and marketing at Sunstone Circuits. To read past columns, click here.