Jun 20, 2013 
Software makes the difference - naturally also in SMT production. The SIPLACE team of ASM Assembly Systems is now bundling some of its software innovations for setup changeovers and line operations in a comprehensive package. The SIPLACE Line Operations Package combines production-enhancing options such as Random Setup, Split Table Mode and Whispering-Down-the-Line, as well as station-by-station placement program changeovers based on barcode data. With the SIPLACE Operations Package, users can take advantage of all synergies between the software options and further increase the flexibility and efficiency of their production operations.
The SIPLACE team is now pooling its software products for optimizing setup and program changeovers in the SIPLACE Line Operations Package. Previously, these options were only available individually. The new package also includes support for innovative setup concepts like Random Setup and Split Table. With Random Setup, users can set up feeders and components for the next job on any machine or on selected changeover tables while the current product is still running. With Split Table Mode, the changeover tables are virtually split. The section of the table that is not used for the current product can then be used for the next product.
See what needs to be done for the next setup
Changeover Guidance is another program within the SIPLACE Line Operations Package. At the push of a button, the operations staff can view a so-called delta setup, i.e. an image of which components and feeders must be added where for the next product, and which feeders can be torn down. This improved transparency makes for faster and more reliable setup changeovers – an important prerequisite for a more flexible production.
"Borrow Performance"
With the "Borrow Performance" software function, SIPLACE expands the functionalities of its dual conveyor and optimizes the simultaneous production of two boards with vastly different placement programs and quantities.
As soon as the "Borrow Performance"” function has been activated on the SIPLACE line, the track with the greater demand can “borrow” performance from the neighboring track. This way, the SIPLACE Borrow Performance function balances the different cycle times of both tracks. This makes scenarios like the production of PCBs with components on both sides or products with primary and secondary PCBs even more efficient and flexible. The total line output remains optimized at all times - even when the placement volume or content for a certain product changes.
No more emptying of the line needed
With functions like Whispering-Down-the-Line and automatic station-by-station program changeovers, users no longer must waste time by having to empty the entire line before starting to run a new product. When the first machine reads new barcodes or ink spot/bad marks, it forwards this information to the downstream machines. As soon as the new product enters these machines, they automatically select the correct placement program. As a result, no additional barcode or inkspot reading is required in these machines.
“Electronics manufacturers increasingly recognize the huge role software plays for the efficiency and flexibility of their production operations. With the SIPLACE Line Operations Package we streamline our product portfolio and give our customers access to a comprehensive software package. Once installed, the many additional functions can be combined depending on the user’s specific setup and product changeover requirements,” explains Hubert Egger, Head of Product Marketing for SIPLACE Software.
The SIPLACE team (formerly Siemens Electronics Assembly Systems) is a business unit of ASM Pacific Technology and operates as ASM Assembly Systems. With its SIPLACE machines and innovative manufacturing concepts, ASM Assembly Systems GmbH & Co. KG is the world’s leading manufacturer of surface mount technology (SMT) placement machines and solutions. Since its beginnings in 1985, the company has installed almost 35,000 placement machines at over 3,500 customers all over the world. Electronics manufacturers in all industries such as telecommunications, automotive, IT, consumer electronics and automation use and depend on SIPLACE’s broad portfolio of solutions and services.
As a subsidiary of ASM International, ASM Pacific Technology (ASMPT), Singapore, has developed in only a few years into the world’s leading supplier of chip assembly, bonding and packaging systems and solutions. The ASMPT Group produces and markets machines for front-end and back-end chip assembly and semiconductor packaging. The company has plants in Hong Kong, China, Singapore and Malaysia, and since January 1, 2011 in Germany. ASMPT has been listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange since 1989.
