A top-down approach for reducing error-prone and time-intensive manual operations.

Last month we talked about the often ambiguous, unstructured design data packages running rampant in the PCB industry, which drive non-value-add administrative tasks across all phases of our data exchange and processes, and we underscored the urgency to integrate “smart engineering” data-driven processes, as becoming more efficient as an industry in reducing cost and NPI cycles should be a critical objective to all organizations. What exactly do we mean when we talk about smart engineering or data-driven processes? Buzzwords and acronyms are all around us, such as digital transformation, RPA (repetitive or robotic process automation), BPM (business process management), SaaS (software as a service), etc. All encompass a similar objective: optimizing our processes throughout the enterprise.

In the PCB manufacturing facility, some classic examples of duplicated data entry when receiving a new design package are in the front-end engineering process steps (FIGURE 1). Several generic steps occur across the industry, and all of these must occur, with the sequence varying based on the company or manufacturing facility. In many cases, each of these process steps are completely segregated software applications, which in essence results in non-value-added administrative tasks.

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After 40 years, it’s past time we overhauled our data package processes.

The concept of “smart engineering” has been a major focus of mine these past few years. In the 35 years I have been in the PCB industry, I’ve come to the conclusion we are stuck in a quagmire of unintelligent, unstructured and, frankly, 40-year-old technology of exchanging design data packages. The impact is repetitive, mindless, non-value-add administrative tasks across all facets of the industry. The problem has only been exacerbated with increased technology. All this negatively impacts labor costs, quality and NPI lead times.

Manual and duplicate data entry are the norm, with thousands of keystrokes and mouse clicks performed throughout the process. From quote to pre-CAM, planning methods and CAM, quality checks are abundant. One mistyped character or digit could potentially result in 100% scrap of the product. I’ve watched patiently as many industry proposals for intelligent and structured data packages have come and gone. The waiting has been daunting. We have invested millions of dollars on enhanced software applications for CAM, CAD and engineering to streamline and achieve efficiency and productivity. While these investments and initiatives certainly have improved productivity and cycle times, we are still enveloped in an extensive human-dependent, high-labor-cost operation with extravagant administrative tasks. This has and continues to be our reality.

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