The 11th Berlin Technology Forum focused on digitalization in electronics manufacturing. Due to the pandemic, the event, which was sponsored by several companies, could only be held as a half-day webinar on May 20, 2021. Nevertheless, interest was high given the current topic. After all, digitalization and webinars go well together.
Digitalization is a significant and rapidly expanding megatrend that is bringing about fundamental and long-term changes for both individuals and all parts of society. In the past, the term digitalization was used to describe the conversion of analogue values into digital formats. Today, digitalization is characterized by developments such as the Internet of Things (IoT), the digital twin and the digital factory. Digitalization requires more electronics and electronics manufacturing itself requires more digitalization in order to meet future challenges.
At the 11th Berlin Technology Forum, the partner companies Siemens, Rehm Thermal Systems, ASM Assembly Systems, Balver Zinn, Christian Koenen, kolb Cleaning Technology, Vliesstoff Kasper and Zevac provided information on practical experience already gained and also offered an outlook on the further realization of this megatrend. Bernd Müller, Siemens AG, and Dr. Paul Wild, Rehm Thermal Systems GmbH, opened and moderated the Berlin Technology Forum 2021.
After the welcome and introduction, Martin Franke, Siemens AG, spoke about smart data in the printing process. The challenge there is to turn big data from the SMT line into smart data for process optimization. Martin Franke described the data architecture of the SMT line at Siemens CT in Berlin for data analysis and process control and looked at some case studies. For example, quasi-real-time feedback to the printer can prevent rejects and rework. An investigation with test circuit boards showed that the printing sequence (after cleaning the underside of the stencil) and the holding time have the greatest effect on the amount of solder paste printed. The solder
paste properties (ageing) had hardly any effect.
Timo Reinartz, Vliesstoff Kasper GmbH, spoke about cleaning rollers in transition - future-oriented developments from theory to practice. He discussed the use of RFID in cleaning rollers for process optimization (incoming goods inspection, warehouse logistics, set-up control). Smart cleaning rolls for smart printed circuit boards are the order of the day. He also provided information on the properties and availability of cleaning rollers for cleanroom applications.
After the first spotlights from the partner companies, Dr. Henning Bork, ASM Assembly Systems GmbH & Co. KG, explained what digitalization means for electronics production. Equipment suppliers are increasingly becoming providers of integrated production solutions thanks to their ever more important software offerings for I4.0/IoT. AMS is pursuing the mission of an integrated smart factory that can link everything from the individual system to the store floor and the factory through to different companies. According to PWC, the MES is a critical element for I4.0. Dr. Henning Bork explained what interfaces and standards are needed to build a window into the store floor and what functionalities are offered here by ASM.
Dr Konstantinos Savvas, kolb Cleaning Technology GmbH, showed how digitalization supports the integration of highly specialized cleaning systems into existing infrastructures. He addressed the requirements of a so-called smart factory. Among other things, this requires comprehensive network communication options, as the individual machines must be able to communicate with each other (M2M). Data security must be guaranteed and broadband data traffic must be possible. Manufacturer independence and compliance with standards/norms are also required. Dr. Konstantinos Savvas explained how this is implemented in the kolb cleaning systems, which are already 'Smart Factory Ready', and gave an outlook on the kolb R&D roadmap.
After further spotlights from the partner companies, Ralf Weber, Christian Koenen GmbH, provided information on the use of the production planning system (PPS) in the production of precision printing tools. In addition to resource planning and production control, this is also used for documentation and traceability. It also ensures on-time delivery, which is a particular challenge in one-off production due to the technical diversity and fluctuations in deadlines and quantities. Thanks to PPS, work instructions are automatically generated from the customer order data in work preparation. Furthermore, the PPS enables a comprehensive overview of delivery dates for all internal departments, which is updated and visualized hourly. The PPS also assigns a serial number to identify the precision printing tools produced. Finally, the actual and target values of the product features are compared using PPS and, if necessary, interventions are made to improve delivery quality and process reliability for the customer.
Dr. Paul Wild, Rehm Thermal Systems GmbH, addressed predictive maintenance in the reflow process in his final presentation, highlighting opportunities and challenges. The development went from reactive maintenance (repair or maintenance after a failure) to preventive maintenance (according to defined maintenance plans) and condition-based maintenance (system monitoring/monitoring) to predictive maintenance (forecasting when maintenance will be required). Dr. Paul Wild described how reflow soldering system monitoring data can be used to determine trends and the optimum time for maintenance. Among other things, due to changes in transportation (vibrations), nitrogen consumption or even increasing contamination of the process chamber. The data transmitted by the sensors in the system must be analyzed in order to avoid misinterpretations, e.g. due to interactions.
