To overcome human problem

Hello, You may not like my idea but here goes. Take the operators in a room and tell them to look at each other. Then tell them that If the solder paste isn't put where it belongs and not placed where it dosen't belong, that some of you won't be in this room next week. And we will continue to replace you people till the problem is resolved. There is a lot of qualified operators out of work and they also realize that solder paste is expensive. If the boss dosen't believe that this will work, I would look for a new boss. This solution would also work for software engineers at some of the machine manufactures. thanks for your time.

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Hi Tommy.

A clean printer has always been a hot button with me as-well. Solder paste is like a can of paint. As soon as you open it up you will get it on all the things you wanted to preserve as clean.

The cleanliness and condition of your stencil printer is a direct reflection of your entire manufacturing model. Example: Dusty printer hoods, solder paste on floor, conveyor belts, solder on the inside or the "skins" dust bunnies under machine etc. tells me my product may not receive the best process and attention it deserves. On the other-hand a sterile printner, clean floors, no dust on equipment (or under) is a direct indicator of process and quality.

PROOF: as design features decrease, the average factory contamination must reduce accordingly to maintain the same solder joint contamination level.

Plus it's a safety hazzard! (assuming your not lead-free)

Here is what you need: 1. Clear expectation of what is required. You should not have hard-fast consequences if you don't have a clear expectation. Who, What, When, Where, How. Document your needs as a work instruction. Pictures of Acceptable vs. Not acceptable conditons of cleanliness would be helpful.

2. Engineering must train the leads, supervisors, managers and operators. You need buy-in at every level. You need everyone's support as Engineering can not support this alone (been there- done that!) 3. Local champions (leads / supervisors) must audit your process for compliance. Engineerings responsibility has ended in the definition of the process. Manufacturing must be allowed to take over and engage the process.

Expect grumblings in the begining. It will not be easy. Change is never easy. The entire process described helps install a sense of discipline.

Good luck.

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Hi,I am a Mfg. Engineering Tech. and do Maintenance on all of our Equipment. 4796 HSPs, Dek 265 LT screen printers, GSMs, ect. We have 6 lines of equipment with certain operators assigned to each line, and you can really tell which operators do or don't do daily maintenance, or proper clean up. It all boils down to training, and which operators care. Seems like the ones who don't care are the ones who cry the loudest when raises don't come due to lack of profit. I love working on and repairing this equipment, but it really upsets me when I must do it due to someone else not caring about it. Good operators is where it all starts. I know it is frustrating, first hand. Start to document problem areas, operators and report it to management once a month. This way You are covered #1,and #2 it may start the purging process of some less than par operators. Nice to see I am not the only one with this problem.

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