Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1534953
10 SMT007 MAGAZINE I MAY 2025 Feature Article by Bill Cardoso CREATIVE ELECTRON As the world increasingly moves toward erecting trade barriers, we find ourselves in a paradox. Across the globe, the rise in tariffs and protectionist policies is creating a more fragmented global economy, with nations seeking to insulate themselves from exter- nal economic pressures. However, within the confines of the SMT production line, the trend is moving in precisely the oppo- site direction—toward greater connectivity, integration, and collaboration. Rather than isolating one machine from another, SMT production lines are increasingly intercon- nected, with data being shared across vari- ous stages of the process to improve quality, efficiency, and defect detection. is con- vergence of data and machine intelligence is reshaping the way electronic devices are manufactured, creating unprecedented opportunities for improving product quality and accelerating innovation. The Power of Data Connectivity in SMT Production At its core, an SMT production line is a complex system where a wide variety of machines work together to assemble elec- tronic components onto printed circuit boards (PCBs). ese machines—from the printer to the reflow oven—each play Breaking Down Barriers: The Connectivity of Machines in SMT Production Lines