Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1513227
DECEMBER 2023 I PCB007 MAGAZINE 53 ers as a team. Look at the entire plan so that you are not a one- move chess player. ink about your needs beyond today's pur- chase and build a technolog y roadmap for future purchases as well. is will help you plan your utilities, venting, DI, water, and waste treatment, thus saving you resources and maximizing your runtime. On the recent ENEPIG line delivered by IPS, the customer collaborated with IPS collaborated and the chemistr y suppliers as the line was being designed. is allowed IPS to integrate the supplier's specific requirements and chemis- try controllers into the line. For the customer, it meant big cost savings and a reduction in start-up time. In addition, the customer did not need to allocate additional floorspace or utilities for the chemistry support equipment. It also optimized the line's performance from the start. When considering equipment maintenance, look for machines that provide your mainte- nance team with easy access to all necessary areas, including the bath. Consider incorporat- ing auto-dosing systems into your lines; it will lower your total operating costs and improve the operating parameters of the line. It also reduces the need (and risk) for your operators to move chemistry through hand pumps. When contemplating new equipment, be sure to ask about the availability of spare parts. Downtime due to unavailable parts can be costly. Having commonalties of spare parts for your lines will minimize downtime and lower cost. Also, look at the service team the supplier has in place. Waiting for days for the service team to show up can be very costly. While there are off-the-shelf lines available at lower sale prices, you very well could end up spending more over the service life of the equipment than you would have with a cus- tomized line that considers your needs today, tomorrow, and beyond. PCB007 Internal (left) and external view (right) of the impressive 81-foot IPS automated final finish line at SEL Idaho factory. IPS automated dosing station at SEL's Idaho facility.