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78 SMT007 MAGAZINE I MARCH 2025 e print process provides a good example of using CFX, not just to communicate data, but also to show what AI can do with this data. It is one of the most error-prone processes in SMT production. In the past, you needed experienced technicians who could correct for errors. What happens when an expert leaves? e print pro- cess might degrade. Other challenges can arise, such as not enough or too much solder paste, so that the solder process of components is not suf- ficient, or aer reflow, components may swim around and move into a wrong position. With AI, the machine measures data taken from the inspection system, looks at the print results, analyzes whether it is a good result, and if not, feeds the corrective action back to the printer. is is a closed loop that automat- ically stabilizes the print process with no need for a process expert with decades of experi- ence to do it manually. is provides a big yield increase because a stable print process guaran- tees that the pick-and-place process will work reliably and consistently. In the past, there were several proprietary standards that tied manufacturers to certain combinations of machines. A business would purchase what they believed to be a best-in- class inspection system and printer, only to realize later that the two do not work together. ey do not understand each other. at's not a problem with CFX. It also enables a manufacturer to choose the best soware solution for analysis. Maybe there's a company with huge expertise in the print pro- cess, and they provide soware. In the past, with proprietary interfaces, maybe that soware was not able to connect to a certain printer or inspec- tion system. CFX decouples soware applica- tions from machines. It eliminates dependencies of particular machines to specific vendors. Thomas, you have referred to the group of standards governing this area as the Factory of the Future ecosystem. Can you give a brief summary of these standards? Yes, let's start with IPC-175x, Product Decla- ration, a standard that describes the compo- nents used during manufacturing, and what is coming into the factory from the supply chain. It was created about 20 years ago, and, in its simplest form, describes the component and maybe some of its electrical properties. With some components, it's a bit more complicated as there may be legal requirements. Factory of the Future Standards Ecosystem