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40 SMT007 MAGAZINE I NOVEMBER 2024 dreds of different types of components, each piece of equipment generates a wealth of data. Reflow ovens, solder paste inspection (SPI) machines, and automated optical inspection (AOI) systems further contribute to the data stream with their critical roles in the quality of the finished product. However, the true value of this data can only be realized when it is effectively enriched— transformed from raw and nonsensical num- bers into a coherent narrative to inform stra- tegic decision-making. Collecting and process- ing data from disparate sources, this soware program makes it possible to achieve a compre- hensive view of the manufacturing line, mul- tiple lines, or even distributed manufacturing sites. With enriched data, electronics manu- facturers can improve their current operations and future-proof manufacturing capabilities by prioritizing opportunities for process opti- mization, ensuring that every decision made is grounded in the reality of the shop floor. Let's look at some use cases to illustrate the value of well-designed data analytics. Unified Performance Assessment Across Machine Brands In our first example, a mid-sized PCBA man- ufacturer with a mix of older and newer place- ment machines from various vendors adopted our platform. Before implementation, the team struggled to compare the performance of the different machines due to various data formats, performance calculations, and user interfaces. Naturally, they struggled to determine which machines were truly underperforming or what improvements actually needed to be prioritized. By normalizing the data, the team now has standardized data across all their different machine brands. ey see at a glance how each machine, regardless of brand or vintage, is per- forming in real-time through a unified dash- board. is level of insight has been very help- ful. Recently, they analyzed one of their older placement machine's detailed feeder perfor- mance data and identified two specific feed- ers that were responsible for frequent mispicks and component attrition. is discovery led to targeted feeder calibration work, improving the machine's throughput and reducing mate- rial waste. e result was something every elec- tronics manufacturer is looking to do: maxi- mize output. Targeted Defect Analysis In another example, a quality manager at an electronics manufacturer specializing in assembling high-reliability products found Figure 1: Illustration of typical PCBA manufacturer.