Profile of the SMTconnect

The Assembly and Interconnection Technologies sector incorporates the full breadth of technology and design tools necessary for mounting microelectronic components onto the smallest of spaces. Furthermore, it allows for the linking of microelectronics and non-electronic microcomponents with full systems.

With the properties that they offer, materials and semi-finished goods provide an important foundation for the components and systems at a later stage. Components can hardly be seen by the naked eye and are getting ever smaller; however, the reduced need for space, a reduction in weight and greater concentration of the components are placing new demands on machines, materials and processing and placement technologies.

This area addresses, amongst others, the production of electronic assemblies using a range of different technologies. The omnipresence of electronic products in all areas of life has resulted in huge changes in production requirements. And this, in turn, is creating considerable challenges in the field of production technologies, for example, through the miniaturisation of components and the constant pressure to reduce costs.

Production quality is determined not least by the auxiliary equipment. Appropriate storage, transport and the handling of materials, components and part products are important prerequisites for a stable production process.

Companies often have to face the commercial decision: “Do we make or do we buy?” Having the right resources and staff available, as well as the quality of the product, play as much of a role in answering this question, as the financial considerations. Often external suppliers can produce a higher quality item much more cost-effectively. Companies also need partners with whom they can develop new products, as well as research and improve technologies.

It is almost impossible these days to find a device that doesn’t operate electronically. Electronics are therefore a critical factor in product functionality. In electronic assembly production, quality demands are at their highest.

There is a particular focus on Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) in electronic production. The, in some cases, very high degree of automation necessitating far-reaching integration of MES within the facility is of particular interest. Alongside MES systems, with the subcategories of business and machine data collection, even more product areas will be addressed at SMTconnect.