COVER STORY » SMART
COVER STORY » SMART FACTORY Optimization along the whole line: WORKS Process Expert is the world’s first self-learning expert system for SMT lines. It integrates data from AOI machines for successful defect root cause detection and controls and optimizes the placement and printing processes. Source: ASMPT Compiling and supplying information Diligent maintenance and rapid troubleshooting are important prerequisites for a smooth production flow. To perform their job properly, service technicians require quick and easy digital access to information – ideally on their mobile device – even if the information they need comes from multiple sources spread over many systems. To achieve this, ASMPT offers intelligent IoT applications and flexible, scalable licence models to increase the performance of the entire SMT factory across equipment suppliers and divisions. This functions as a central and manufacturer-independent solution for predictive maintenance of all machines – even outside of SMT production – or as an AI- and natural language processing (NLP)-supported virtual assistant on mobile devices. Organizing maintenance operations A maintenance manager must keep track of the entire production inventory, reconcile maintenance operations with production planning and maintain adequate capacities without building up a service backlog. Achieving all this is very demanding. The smart solution to this is called Factory Equipment Center, a scalable IoT-based application for enterprise-wide asset and maintenance management with a central maintenance calendar. The planning, control, support, execution and documentation of maintenance and service operations can be carried out centrally for all equipment, including machines from other manufacturers and non-SMT production equipment. The system keeps an eye on production scheduling and coordination, making it possible to assign tasks automatically and without errors. Factory Equipment Center also provides operators with maintenance instructions and checklists at the push of a button. It tracks and monitors sensor data and even automates time-consuming manual reporting. Rapid troubleshooting With the AI-supported Virtual Assist, service technicians get an all-in-one manual they can carry in their pocket as the perfect companion to their everyday tasks. Upon request, it provides all the technical 26 EPP Europe » 04 | 2023
The software orchestrates all the necessary variables such as personnel, equipment, materials, and processes to ensure they interact seamlessly information needed for any machine. Thanks to its natural language processing (NLP) and AI, they can verbally query a system – regardless of source or machine; the program automatically adapts its search algorithms to the target medium. Even queries from English-language sources entered in German produce results quickly and directly. And thanks to machine learning, the system adds knowledge with each query and improves all the time. Since the SaaS solution is not limited to ASMPT equipment, any number of assets from different vendors can be added. Knowledge thus remains in the company even when employees leave. Virtual Assist also makes onboarding new people a lot easier. More efficiency, happier employees Today, software is as important in ASMPT’s product portfolio as its equipment for printing, inspection and SMT assembly. More complex tasks and new technologies require the use of process-automation and optimization software. By utilizing it, companies can benefit from highly efficient personnel deployment, better productivity and superior quality, while employees get support that makes their work easier, and less stressful. Thanks to big data and AI, the software accumulates knowledge that stays inhouse with each process – making the business more competitive and resilient. Modular design for optimal ROI As with ASMPT’s hardware solutions, the modular Open Automation concept forms the central component of the company’s software strategy. It breaks with dependencies on proprietary systems as well as with rigid processes and restrictions. Instead, electronics manufacturers can take a personalized, modular path to the integrated smart factory while still ensuring the best ROI. facts-on-open-automation.asm-smt-events smt.asmpt.com Zusammenfassung Der Fachkräftemangel setzt Unternehmen stark unter Druck. Die Titelstory zeigt, wie mit einem umfassenden, intelligenten und flexiblen Software- Portfolio Mitarbeiter effizient eingesetzt, und best möglich unterstützt werden können. Résumé La pénurie de main-d’œuvre qualifiée exerce une forte pression sur les entreprises. L’article de couverture montre comment une gamme de logiciels complète, intelligente et flexible permet d’employer efficacement les collaborateurs et de les assister au mieux. Резюме Нехватка квалифицированной рабочей силы оказывает сильное давление на предприятия. В заглавной статье показано, как можно эффективно привлекать и максимально поддерживать работников при помощи комплексного, интеллектуального и гибкого программного портфолио. EPP Europe » 04 | 2023 27
