Pack up your troubles – and smile!
05 December 2007
The better the information, the better the job. That is the message from one EMS provider, who has developed a ‘manufacturing pack’ philosophy to ensure the data set is complete. Jess Amos reports
CSM Electronics is a company with over 17 years experience in populating PCBs. This can be from both prototype stage and taking over existing manufacture, but in either case the information from the customers is a vital factor in allowing CSM’s service to be both high quality and quick. Missing information can often be extrapolated by CSM but this adds time to the process.
What has further muddied the waters is that recently there has been a general change in the personnel responsible for outsourcing PCB assembly. As some of these new ‘outsourcing managers’ have less knowledge of the manufacturing processes involved, there can be a misconception that changing PCB assembly companies is a simple operation.
Over the years there has also, obviously, been an upturn in the use of mixed technologies - smaller more complex boards. The more complex the board, the more amplification the information needs to have.
CSM has come up with a solution to minimise the impact of these effects with the use of its ‘manufacturing pack’. This is developed with its customers to ensure that it contains all the information that the manufacturer needs for optimal assembly.
The creation of the manufacturing pack philosophy is fundamental at CSM and it has dedicated staff members whose job it is to ensure that the information is full and valid before the process begins. These people are devoted to working with customer information and communicating with customers to ensure that the manufacturing pack is complete.
[x-head] What is the basis of a manufacturing pack?
The foundation of a manufacturing pack will consist of:
Step and repeat (panelised) solder paste layer Gerber- this information is required to create a stencil.
Programming data; this is exported from the PCB designing CAD package and contains the X, Y and Z (rotation) co-ordinates of the components. This is used to create the programme for the surface mount machines.
Bill of Materials (Parts list); The detail of this needs to be as full as possible, especially if you require a contractor to purchase your components.
The information needed is component specifications-case size, voltage, value, tolerance, reference designators, whether parts are manufacturer specific (if you require a purchasing function, manufacturer part numbers assist greatly).
Assembly Drawing; this drawing will identify the location of the components on the board, will identify any orientation of polarised devices, and will contain any special instructions.
Test Requirements; CSM can provide In Circuit test (The board needs to be designed to include test access) or functional test; the manufacturing pack will contain any procedures and equipment required.
The manufacturing pack will be fully updated with the processes and any additional information originated by the first time fabrication at CSM to enable consistent repetitive production of the PCB.
For customers using CSM to prototype boards ready for offshore manufacture, the finished manufacturing pack can be released, thus minimising the worry of non-repeatability of the process!
Jess Amos is Sales Manager of CSM Electronics
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