Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/721932
September 2016 • SMT Magazine 51 specific method or perhaps a couple of different methods for the calculation are decided on and followed. Metrics are described as equipment productivity, absolute equipment productivi- ty, asset utilization, total equipment productiv- ity, effective equipment productivity, or overall equipment effectiveness. Many more of these terms attempt to offer some kind of standard method to measure production performance, but, in many cases, they are customized because of industrial engineers who override decisions, believing that different element combinations are a better measure for them. It is hard to disagree with anyone who has an opinion on this matter because different roles within manufacturing are responsible for different elements of the operation, and so they require differences in the way of calculation. In reality, perhaps all the ways of calculation are potentially important, as over time different metrics are used to expose and correct different weaknesses or operational losses. When it comes to data collection, normal- ization, and qualification, Smart computeriza- tion should be able to calculate the performance of manufacturing in any of these many differ- ent ways. However, it needs to include informa- tion from all of the different elements to be able to create an added value record of events. This contrasts with somehow putting together the events in whatever way seems appropriate lat- er during the reporting cycle. Instead, this be- comes the work of the Smart asset management computerization, which takes the normalized data, for example, in OML format, from all ma- chines, processes, and operations, and builds up a live digital map of the production operations. The data can then be represented in any way as desired in reports, dashboards, and, of course, to send to the cloud. The data in the cloud, which in raw format would likely have been only 20% useful, is now with input from the Smart com- puterization virtually 100% added-value. The Smart asset management computeriza- tion is valuable because it can expose oppor-tuni- ties in the operation where losses can be saved. Through the Smart logic, what would have been difficult situations to analyze can now be seen quickly and easily, which results in significant increased opportunity for operational perfor- mance improvement compared to using just the raw data. This is not just "Smart for Smart's" sake. The justification for the computer-ization could end there, with return on investment eas- ily achieved within a year, but, in our smart fac- tory, we want to go further to use the informa- tion for other smart purposes, which we will dis- cuss in Part 2. SMT Michael Ford is senior marketing development manager with Mentor Graphics Corporation Valor division. To read past columns, or to contact the author, click here. SMART FOR SMART'S SAKE, PART 1 Source: I-Connect007 One of the issues encountered in the high-reliability electronics sector when the industry moved to adhere to the Restriction of Hazardous Substance (RoHS) directive is the use of lead-free components in manufacturing. Using lead-free solder, for one, has put a squeeze on military and aerospace systems designers because of the problem on tin whiskers. However, that was ages ago, and the industry has moved to adapt lead-free alternatives and solutions. In fact, according to our survey, most companies no longer have any issues on lead-free compo - nents. They said that right now, the supply chain consists of lead- free components, so companies have figured out what to do to work with them. However, the only problem is cost, as they are more expensive. Some issues, on the other hand, include con- trolling phosphate levels in lead plating; reflow temperature compatibility, and still for others, con- nection reliability. I-Connect007 Survey: A Look at the Mil/Aero Industry—Lead-Free