Building on fifteen year�s manufacturing knowledge and the largest installed base of field-proven front-end CAM solutions in the world, Frontline approached the challenge of pre-production process planning from a totally unique engineering perspective � setting it apart from other non-engineering focused pre-production systems. Based upon a central, revision controlled database (InMind) that unites critical rules-driven applications, InGineering provides seamless data transition and complete automation from the quotation stage, through automated process planning (InPlan) and manufacturing tooling (CAM), right down to viewing data and communicating on the shop floor. Importantly, as an open system it also gives the freedom and flexibility to fully integrate with all leading ERP systems in the production environment, allowing the manufacturer to mix and match front-end and back-end solutions according to their needs, without compromise.
Uri Feldman, president at Frontline, commented on Frontline�s decision to develop this new suite of productivity tools in response to market needs. �Prior to investing in this new technology, we researched into the front-end engineering challenges facing board manufacturers today. We found that many PCB companies use cumbersome and disparate home-grown systems that are inefficient and difficult to maintain. Data was being manually entered numerous times and revision changes were not being kept up-to-date, resulting in errors, higher costs and longer turnaround times. The solution was to develop a tightly integrated engineering system that would streamline, automate and integrate the complete front-end process, significantly improving CAM engineering efficiency and design data accuracy throughout the process flow,� Feldman said.
Frontline partnered with Sanmina-SCI, a world-leading electronics manufacturing services (EMS) company, during the research and development process. Sanmina-SCI is the first manufacturer to implement the planning and database tools from the InGineering tool suite as an integral part of its complete pre-production process.
Commenting on the new system, Ronny Kovartovsky, director of product marketing at Frontline said, �Most planning systems available today are ERP-based that offer variant solutions based on people knowledge matching standard designs to planning templates. They are not centered on the rapidly changing and complex needs of the engineering department. With Frontline�s new embedded pre-production engineering technology, front-end users can build more dynamic information and decision flows based on tightly integrated, graphical, synchronized engineering data at all times. This is a pure generative solution based on decision rules and trees that are easily specified by the user through visual and logical �if then� type statements, utilizing the manufacturer�s expertise to produce a complete process plan.�
�Efficient revision control and specification management coupled with speed-ups in turnaround time and fast, accurate data intelligence will deliver downstream time and cost benefits, regardless of site location and time zone,� Kovartovsky added.
Automated Rules-Driven Process Planning
InPlan is the new automated process planning system that integrates with Frontline�s existing industry-leading products to complete the InGineering pre-production solution. InPlan�s ability to capture and control all electronic customer and manufacturing specifications is a critical function for all PCB shops. Its rules-driven engine enables engineers to dynamically generate bill of materials (BOMs), production traveler and CAM work instructions with inbuilt revision control management, on a site-by-site basis.
InMind is based on an industry standards relational database, and serves all parts of the manufacturing process by holding all engineering data (customer and manufacturing specifications, tools, etc.) in a central repository. InMind seamlessly handles every aspect of the front end, with links to CAM and the shop floor, and supports archiving, revision control, hold/release management and multi-user access.
Availability
Companies can implement any of the client/server applications within InGineering on a modular basis or full-system basis, depending on manufacturing site needs. InPlan is available on Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Linux, Solaris 2.7 and HP-UX 11.
About Frontline PCB Solutions
Frontline PCB Solutions, a joint venture of Orbotech and Valor, is a leading provider of top technology pre-production CAM, engineering and archiving software solutions for the PCB industry, with more than 15 years of experience serving this market's front-end needs. With the largest installed based of field-proven front-end solutions in the world, Frontline is committed to intensive support for its customers, and providing a continuous stream of cutting-edge products for increasing yield and reducing pre-production costs. The new engineering line of products will include a wide set of tools for generating BOMs and Manufacturing Work and Tooling Instructions by planners. In addition it will automate the overall operation of the front office, dealing with incoming RFQs and swiftly issuing computerized quotes to buyers.
For more information please contact:
Editor Contact
Cathryn Hage or Sharon Graves
Pentacom Public Relations
Tel: +44 (0)1242 525205
cathryn.hage@pentacomagency.com
Frontline PCB Solutions
Efrat Bar-Sella
Frontline PCB Solutions
Tel: +(972) 8 9322183 ext. 139
efrat@frontline-pcb.com
Frontline is a registered trademark of Frontline PCB Solutions, and Ingineering, InPlan and InMind are all trademarks of Frontline PCB Solutions. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.