64 PCB007 MAGAZINE I DECEMBER 2025
acquisition system. Eventually, you could add a total
plant quality system from X-ACT, as illustrated in
Figure 3.
A more complex and expensive project may
involve automating the material handling of a
manual process line for desmear, electroless plat-
ing, oxide treatment, or pre-plate etch.
Summary
Automation need not be as complex or as expen-
sive as it first appears. However, the skills and knowl-
edge to plan and succeed are not that common. I
have found success with upskilled manufacturing
staff and local machine shops. It's all a matter of
commitment and training. If you need any help, I am
always available by phone or email.
Remember:
• Use your staff. Recruiting or consultants will
be costly.
• Training is available for sensors, data collec-
tion, networking, and software.
• The documentation includes many examples.
• Start small and simple. Let success drive
more complex projects. Prioritizing success
will pay for the next steps.
• Use the resources provided by the Global
Electronics Association and SMTA for help
and networking solutions.
PCB007
References
1. "The Smart Factory," by Rick Burke, Stephen Laaper,
Martin Hartigan, Brenna Sniderman, Deloitte Insights,
August 2017.
2."The Evolution of Factories of the Future: What You
Need to Know," Global Electronics Association.
Happy Holden has worked in printed
circuit technology since 1970 with
Hewlett-Packard, NanYa West-
wood, Merix, Foxconn, and
Gentex. He is a contributing tech-
nical editor with I-Connect007,
and the author of Automation
and Advanced Procedures in PCB
Fabrication, and 24 Essential Skills for
Engineers. To read past columns, click here.
Figure 3: Production data and quality software database.
H A PPY ' S T EC H TA L K #4 5
