Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1528798
20 SMT007 MAGAZINE I NOVEMBER 2024 Article by Josh Casper HORIZON SALES ICT and functional test play critical roles in the electronics manufacturing process. In many cases, these processes are the final line of defense in identifying defects, preventing failures from reaching the end user, and safe- guarding a manufacturer's reputation. A growing problem in this area has been the sheer increase in production output from the SMT line. As components get smaller, PCBs will continue shrinking, allowing engineers to design highly panelized products. SMT pro- cesses such as printing, placement, and 3D inspection have kept pace with these develop- ments, while traditional testing methods have not scaled to the same degree. e growing mismatch between SMT line speeds and offline test cells has led to higher costs, increased scrap, and significant operational inefficiencies, espe- cially in these highly panelized products. How do we solve this problem? Automa- tion of course. Over the years, developments in ICT and functional test technology have sig- nificantly closed the gap between SMT pro- duction and the test process, leading to major shis in how this process is approached. I'll explore the unique challenges associated with the test area, and the key benefits to investing in an automated approach. Automating Test Processes in Modern PCBA Manufacturing