New SMT line introduction

Hi Anthony,

Hopefully some of the following may help:

1) Electrics - do you know the rating of each machine and the total load, and can your distribution box take it? Do you have the correct cabling and connectors in place to just plug the machines in, either via drop downs or conduit underneath? Don't forget the conveyors and any additional items like magnifiers and lighting you may want to add.

2) Air - do you have enough capacity in your air tank and compressor for the new line? Are the airlines in place with the right number of connections and regulators?

3) Machine moving plan - is there enough space to get the machines from the loading dock to the shop floor - oven especially? Is the floor suitable all the way through for airskates/hard rollers/pallet trucks/forklifts? Do you have access to a loading dock with a ramp that will accomodate the oven or a forklift with the correct forks and weight rating to unload?

4) Training plan - operator and maintenance

5) Ancilaries - does anyone in your place know how to wire up SMEMA?, do you have the right nozzles and feeders for all of your production, and any board support tooling?

6) IT - do you have the network cables to link everything, and the storage and plans for back up in place? Do you have UPS's for the Oven and all machine PCs? Do you have the tools to generate programs, profiles etc for the new line?

7) Machine Acceptance - do you have a plan and criteria in place for the acceptance of each machine, and an understanding of what everyone needs from the machine vendors before they leave? We have an acceptance PCB that we run down any new line which gives us a good idea if it's all set up OK.

8) Make sure you get internal sign off from the production team on everything otherwise you will get stuck in the middle, and make sure you hold back a proportion of the invoice until the snagging is complete.

That OK for starters?

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If all the equipment is ordered, what SMT line introduction they asked you to do? Pick the equipment implements the whole design of the line, so basically your project is done.

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"I guess the hard part is done as all the equipment has been ordered."

This is hilarious, these machines will not run by their own, someone with knowledge of the technology should set them up, maintain them, train people who will operate with them, troubleshoot the process when something go wrong. The hard part is yet to come :)

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Rob explained very well what it takes to start SMT line. The question is what infrastructure do you have at your factory?

any category Rob mentioned can have time consuming complications and this is why you should find professional to start the SMT line for you. eg. if you don't select correct air hoses you could end up with insufficient air flow (FLOW, not pressure) and this can create so much problems in production.

I hope you are getting the picture.

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To add to what Rob has said, Have you considered an ESD safe environment? Floors, Racks, tables, etc.... Also the humidity level of your area incase you use MSD parts? Just a thought.

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> I have just been asked to project manage the > introduction of new production line within my > organisation . This normally wouldn't be a > problem but I have very little experience on smt > manufacturing. I guess the hard part is done as > all the equipment has been ordered. What I need > is some help and advice on what checklists or > detailed schedules. Any help or advice would be a > massive help.

Get the dimensions of the machine, the power requirements, and air requirements. Go to the shipping door, walk to where it is to be set up. Look for spots that the machine might not be able to get past.

Once I was working at my desk and the contractor said that he had received an emergency page and asked if I knew what it was about. I said that nobody had said anything to me then remembered the facilities guy had complained a month earlier that he was treated like a fool when he asked if the doors between the back and front were big enough for the new machine to fit through. Turns out they weren't.

The machines will come in big crates on skids. How are you going to get them off the skids?

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A lot will depend on the equipment ordered and from whom... and the criteria of the decision makers on the orders. Is there a lot of machine / process support being offered by the vendor(s), or are you "on your own" once the machines are powered up and calibrated?

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If the OEM is doing the installation then phone up the sales guy to touch base and find out what you have to have ready for when the tech shows up to install it. The sales person will want everything to go smoothly as much as you do. Play your cards right and you might even get a free lunch.

Will you need to get any government approvals?

In Ontario we are required to have the machine certified before plugging it in.

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Anthony,

I hope that your new production line has been running smoothly for you. I would like speak with you about who you are getting your bare PCB boards from.

My company, ICAPE Group has 35 manufacturing partners in China. Full service provider.

We are very competitive on price. I would love to be able to save you some money. I have added my information below to contact me.

Thanks Anthony!

Julie Farrell Account Manager ICAPE-USA Inventrek Technology Park 700 E. Firmin Street, Suite 228 Kokomo, IN 46902 USA Direct: 1+765-480-1351 Email: Julie.farrell@icapeusa.com www.icape-group.com

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