42 SMT007 MAGAZINE I AUGUST 2023
Conclusion
If you have university trained engineers
(or can recruit some) who can be assigned to
these tasks, that's great, but it's not a necessity.
A motivated PCB fab or EMS employee can
learn these skills. What is needed is the focus
and authorization to take this path:
1. Delegating interested individuals to learn
about sensors in your business.
2. Learning to use data acquisition and
simple microcomputers like the
Raspberry Pi or BBC Micro:bit.
3. Learning to program in Python or
JavaScript using the BBC Micro:bit.
4. Start a first project, which can make a
significant improvement in quality or
productivity.
5. Conducting a Smart process audit of
your manufacturing to look for additional
high-value projects.
6. Training and upskilling additional employ-
ees with the skills you now have learned.
7. e journey to a Smart process will drive
you forward. Remember to think big,
start small, and prove the value so you
scale fast.
SMT007
References
1. Experimental Methods for Engineers, by J.P.
Holman, 1966 (Eighth Edition, 2011).
2. Instrumental Methods of Chemical Analysis,
Third Edition, by Galen W. Ewing, 1969.
3. Automation and Advanced Procedures in PCB
Fabrication, by Happy Holden.
4. "Assembling the Public Lab Lego Spectrome-
ter," Public Lab, Dec. 13, 2017.
5. "Happy's Tech Talk #20: Teaching Coding to
Kids: The UK's Micro:bit Tool," PCB007 Magazine,
June 2023.
6. Confocal Sensor Brochure from LMI Technol-
ogies, and IPC Auto Forum, IPC APEX EXPO 2019.
Resources
• "Happy's DIY Solution to Chemical Control,"
by Happy Holden, PCB007 Magazine, November
2020.
• "The Smart Factory: All the Bits and Bobs," by
Happy Holden, PCB007 Magazine, February 2020.
• "Hardware and Software in Smart Factories," by
Happy Holden, PCB007 Magazine, March 2019.
• Sensor Fundamentals, National Instruments
Tutorial.
• Engineers Guide to Accurate Sensor Measure-
ments, National Instruments Tutorial.
• Sensor videos and tutorials are available online
from Electronics Tutorials and from IEEE.
Happy Holden has
worked in printed circuit
technology since 1970
with Hewlett-Packard,
NanYa Westwood, Merix,
Foxconn, and Gentex. He
is currently a contributing
technical editor with
I-Connect007, and an
I-Connect007 columnist. To read past columns
or contact Holden, click here.
Written by Happy Holden, I-Connect007 consulting
technical editor with over 47 years of industry experi-
ence, Automation and Advanced Procedures in PCB
Fabrication provides an in-depth look at automation,
computer-integrated and computer-aided manufac-
turing, mechanization, and chemical monitoring and
control. Happy provides examples and descriptions
of numerous devices, processes, and systems that
can be easily implemented into the supply chain.
