PCBs trigger program downloads on an SMT line

ASMPT has implemented another step in automating product changeovers on the SMT line. The Automated Program Change function in the WORKS Operations application, part of the WORKS Software Suite, has been improved with a crucial new feature: In addition to triggering automatic program changeovers with family setups, its latest version now supports them across setups.

“Automatic Program Change has proven to be a real game changer. Customers report setup time reductions of up to 35% and significantly lower nonconformity costs,” says Thomas Marktscheffel, director of Product Management Software Solutions at ASMPT SMT Solutions. In the past, every product change required new assembly programs to be manually downloaded to each machine in a time-consuming and error-prone process. With Automatic Program Change, this now happens automatically as soon as the first PCB of a new batch enters the line. And in the latest version, even setup changeovers are seamlessly integrated because the machines let operators know when stencils or feeder tables need to be replaced. This intelligent function optimizes product changeovers even in complex high-mix/low-volume, providing the foundation for further automation steps like automatic feeder table changeovers.

Automated Program Change and its latest improvement are based on a network with IPC-HERMES-9852 interfaces, which allows seamless data transfers in accordance with the latest industry standard. To make the concept work, the system transmits the necessary information for each new circuit board to the first machine on the line – usually the solder paste printer – via a barcode reader or digitally via IPC-HERMES-9852 data. The machine automatically loads the new assembly program if it recognises a batch change. When the board moves to the next machine, it is accompanied by its IPC-HERMES-9852 data. In this way, each station along the line, irrespective of its manufacturer, adapts its program automatically when needed. The open and standardised interface also ensures that the conveyors automatically adapt to the respective circuit board width, regardless of their manufacturer. With family setups, this means that product changeovers are possible with no operator assists whatsoever.

For electronics manufacturers, the optional Automated Program Change function in WORKS Operations presents several advantages: It allows rapid product changeovers without the line being idle – all that is required is a barcode reader at the beginning of the line. The automatic changeovers also relieve the operators and avoid scrap resulting from faulty manual downloads.

“With the Automated Program Change across setups, we continue to advance our Intelligent Factory concept at ASMPT,” says Thomas Marktscheffel. “Our goal is to make electronics manufacturing more productive, resilient and efficient through the integrative use of data on the basis of standardised interfaces.”