SMT topics in focus
When purchasing manufacturing equipment, there is much more to consider than just the purchase price. To make informed decisions, you need to consider long-term operating costs, i.e. the total cost of ownership (TCO). One key factor in ensuring a profitable investment is the overall effectiveness of the equipment (OEE), which can be measured and optimized using specific KPIs.
Five KPIs from SMT practice demonstrate how well the equipment performs, enabling an objective evaluation during operation. They form the basis for transparency, comparability, and continuous improvement.
Does the actual product quality meet requirements and minimize scrap?
Does the machine achieve the peak values tested in the benchmark under real conditions?
How quickly and efficiently can the machine be adjusted for different products and requirements?
How long is the machine actually available for productive tasks?
How intuitive and low-maintenance is the machine in everyday use?
Quality is at least as crucial as speed for maximum OEE. Even a single wrongly or inaccurately placed component can necessitate the expensive new production of the entire module. In addition, quality problems always lead to increased operating costs as rework (if permitted), troubleshooting and reprogramming tie up valuable human resources and slow down the production process. Each defect raises the cost of achieving the level of quality that the customer demands.
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Especially in high-mix/low-volume production environments, the maximum values determined in standardized benchmark tests are rarely realized. To nevertheless achieve high placement speeds for complex PCBs with wide ranges of components, the technology must be precisely tailored to the requirements of modern products.
The flexibility of the production equipment is directly proportional to the degree of efficiency with which the manufacturer can balance his lines and optimize them for maximum OEE. This allows a wide variety of products to be manufactured without having to perform any time-consuming reconfigurations of the placement machines or the feeders.
A line’s OEE is not determined by its occasional peak performance, but by its availability. Crucial factors for actual productive operating time include: fast setup changeovers, minimal maintenance, intelligent automation functions, and a high degree of equipment flexibility.
With skilled labor being scarce and expensive, it is now more important than ever for employees to be able to focus on core tasks without getting constantly distracted by unnecessary routine work or troubleshooting. SIPLACE placement machines support the operating staff with functional technology and intelligent features.
As the industry’s technology leader, ASMPT offers a broad portfolio of best-in-class products. Our solutions stand out with their perfect interaction of hardware, software and service components – powerful, smart, and ready to raise your production to a new level.