Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1477844
SEPTEMBER 2022 I SMT007 MAGAZINE 63 12-month lead time, and it minimizes the need to source new parts. Recently, we've had customers inquire about reclaiming old parts off boards to start a busi- ness selling used components, so there's no reason why OEMs shouldn't do this with their own products. Meeting Increased Demand With Less Labor In addition to the parts short- ages, companies have been strug- gling with labor shortages and keep- ing up with demand. To combat the labor shortages and meet higher demand, companies are turning toward machines that increase pro- duction volume without an increase in operators. For instance, s elec t ive s o lder machines for mixed technolog y boards with through-hole parts are becoming more popular in the SMT industry. A selective solder machine can essentially do the volume of five to six hand solder technicians, with more consistent quality, all while needing only one operator. You may not have considered how easy it is to justify the cost of a selective solder machine until you realize you are saving five to six addi- tional salaries, or that you can reallocate tech- nicians to another area and increase overall productivity. OEMs have been pushing to bring SMT lines in-house to avoid many of the issues the mar- kets are facing today. However, they oen don't realize it doesn't need to be a difficult process, and connecting with the right people can make it even easier. It is wise to look for a manufac- turer that sells full lines of SMT equipment to receive support on the entire process from one group of experts. Working with a one-stop- shop for an equipment provider avoids being tossed around, such as when a stencil printer company says the problem is related to the reflow oven company, while the reflow com- pany puts the blame on your prints. Working with a manufacturer with expertise in full lines is the best way to get the support you need. When choosing a manufacturer of SMT equipment to work with, make sure they are Figure 3: RW1500 rework station. Figure 4: Line drawing example for tight space utilization.