Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/675678
38 The PCB Magazine • May 2016 cells (workcenters). A simplified diagram is il- lustrated in Figure 3. The actual methodology will take up several drawings and utilize a num- ber of worksheets to analyze and plan the data. Look for a detailed explanation of PCB auto- mation in my regular column, Happy's Essential Skills, published on PCB007, later this fall. Mechanization Alternatives The definition of mechanization and the material flow handling helps plan how to tackle any issues with material damage. The choices of mechanization for PCB processes can be: • Manual movement, loading and unloading • Automatic feeders and stackers • Connecting conveyorized machines with accumulators • Transport systems material HandlinG innovations: sHould you automate? Manual Handling Class A mechanization is all manual. This may be the condition in small PCB fabs or when the cost of a higher level of mechanization is too high. Justifying additional mechanization will depend on any defect cause by manual transport and the loading and unloading of var- ious machines or conveyors. Automatic Feeders and Handlers The vast majority of mechanized systems are in this category, from Class B to Class E. The complexity comes in when the method of transport between workcenters (work-flow Class from A to F) is taken into consideration and the state the panels are known (e.g., just drilled, covered with a resist, wet prints, plated, hot, or some other state). Figure 4 shows some typical loaders and unloaders. Figure 3: Automation methodology consists of automation plans for each workcenter plus plans for material flow and information flow between workcenters.