Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1545666
18 SMT007 MAGAZINE I JULY 2026 F E AT U R E I N T E RV I E W BY N O L A N J O H N S O N , I - C O N N ECT 0 07 At Mycronic, Robert Helleday, head of R&D, and Göran Frank, head of product management, are quick to clarify that setup optimization is "in our DNA at Mycronic." That's important because, in electronics manufacturing, every minute of machine downtime directly impacts productivity, profitability, and responsiveness to customer demand. As product lifecycles shorten and high-mix, low-volume production becomes the norm, manufacturers are under increasing pressure to reduce setup times, accelerate changeovers, and improve material flow without sacrificing quality or traceability. In this interview, Robert and Göran discuss why setup optimization has long been a core focus of the company. That philosophy influences every- thing from machine design to software develop- ment. For manufacturers looking to increase flexi- bility and throughput in a high-mix environment, this interview offers valuable insights into the future of factory optimization. Nolan Johnson: Much of the research on EMS pro- cesses points to setup and changeover as a signifi- cant contributor to system downtime on the factory floor. How does Mycronic best address that situa- tion, and what are you seeing with your customers? Robert Helleday: For changeover, there's a big difference between unidirectional and bidirec- tional material flow in factories. In unidirectional flow, components come from storage, go onto the machines, then the boards, and that's it. But our Setup Optimization Genetics When it's time to switch jobs, pre-kitted feeders are loaded in seconds—keep- ing downtime to a minimum, while also enabling on-the- fly replenishment without interrupting production.