Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1483130
36 SMT007 MAGAZINE I NOVEMBER 2022 Feature Article by Davina McDonnell COGISCAN In a market that is trying to catch up with increasing customer demands and quickly ship products out the back door, no electron- ics manufacturing plant can afford to lose any time or resources during the production pro- cess. Manufacturers are forced to do more with less and get the most out of every single pre- cious component. When you finally get your hands on inven- tory, perhaps aer months of delays due to part allocation or supply-chain snafus, it's critical that not a single part is wasted. While reducing waste has always been a big focus for electron- ics manufacturers, it's now a top concern for factories around the globe to ensure the right material is in the right place at the right time. Getting Control of the Kitting Process One area fraught with the possibility for material mismanagement is the kitting process. Considering most PCBAs today use hundreds of different components, kitting the materials for a production run can be both arduous and time consuming. In a fast-paced environment like electronics manufacturing, if the kitting process isn't controlled and managed properly, it can expose a manufacturer to opportunities for waste. Material Management and Control