Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/579391
10 SMT Magazine • October 2015 Stephen Las Marias is managing editor of SMT Magazine. He has been a technology editor for more than 12 years covering electronics, components, and industrial automation systems. ediTOr's nOTe the need For SPeed two card motors, a gripper, and two air dispens- ers (EFD Ultimus), to develop an automated air dispensing system that inspects multiple pins in the target unit, applies paste accurately on these pins at a rapid rate, and performs vision inspec- tion for uniform dispensing quality. Overall, the machine tool increased the UPH as well as offered better quality of paste dispens- ing by transitioning from manual process to an automated process. reducing cycle time While the project sounded simple, I think it provided an effective solution of reducing cycle time—and thus increasing the throughput—of the solder dispensing process for GCI's client. And this brings me back to the topic of this month's issue of SMT Magazine. Basically, we did a reader survey to find out what their biggest bottlenecks are when it comes to reducing cycle times in electronics assembly processes. Some of our findings include the lack of automation, inspection and testing, and the equipment/ma - chines. To help them answer some of their ques- tions regarding cycle time reduction, including the best methods to use and the best practices that they can apply in their own processes, we talked to different companies to get their in- sights as well as learn from their experiences in tackling these issues. Inside, you will find an article by Erwin Patro- cinio of Integrated Micro-Electronics Inc., which describes value stream mapping (VSM), a lean manufacturing technique used to document, ana- lyze and improve the flow of information or ma- terials required to produce a product or service. Patrocinio also discusses a VSM project completed for one of their customers. In "Reducing Print Cycle Time", Mitch Holtzer and Lourenco Nampo of Alpha address print cycle times, and illustrate two simple experiments that may lead to increased throughput and increased profitability. Khurrum Dhanji of Imagineering Inc., mean - while, discusses technologies and new unique processes enabling quick-turn PCB assemblies in "Technologies to Enable Quick-Turn PCB Assem- blies." In an interview with Delo Industrial Adhe- sives, Gudrun Weigel looks at how bonding solu- tions can help electronics manufacturers cut their cycle times. She also provides some best practices to help assemblers improve their processes, and increase the quality throughout the assembly line. While I was at NEPCON South China in Shen- zhen last month, I caught up with Norihiko Koike of Saki Corp. and Guido Bornemann of Viscom AG to get their perspectives on cycle time reduc- tion, as well as new innovations happening in the AOI space that help customers address their inspection issues. You can find those interviews inside. At the same event, I also talked to George Liu of Cencorp Automation, which provides router, depaneling, odd-form and through-hole compo - nent placement equipment for the backend of the PCBA line, about the impact of automation on manufacturing efficiencies. For his part, Edward Neff of SMAC Moving Coil Actuators explains the strategies they imple- ment in their production lines to reduce cycle times and go to market faster. He also discusses how manufacturers can ensure the uptime of their equipment and processes. Moving on to our regular columns, Bob Wet- termann of BEST Inc. explains the new J-STD-001 requirements regarding gold embrittlement miti- gation, and highlights what the user community will have to do to comply with it. Robert Voigt of DDM Novastar, meanwhile, contributed the last part of his article series on selecting a reflow oven, which discusses methods of control and profiling techniques. I do hope you'll enjoy this month's issue of SMT Magazine. To know how the PCB design and fabrication industries are addressing cycle time reduction, check out this month's issue of The PCB Magazine and The PCB Design Magazine. Next issue, we'll talk about how the gather - ing of correct and accurate real-time data will help electronics assemblers take their production processes to the next level. Stay tuned! SMt