Focus on Smart Processes, Not Just Smart Factories
March 2, 2021 | Nolan Johnson, PCB007Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
Nolan Johnson talks to Audra Thurston, Todd Brassard, and Meredith LaBeau about how Calumet is focusing on smart processes, and not as much on smart factories. While modern manufacturing equipment and next-gen technologies can be impressive, so much innovation still hinges on human beings. Calumet believes by investing in their workforce and instilling a culture of innovation throughout their company and supply chain, they’ll see faster advancement.
Nolan Johnson: Right now, there’s a whole lot of discussion about smart factories and equipment that help you automate your manufacturing processes. But right behind that is all of the “basic blocking and tackling” work that needs to be done to manage processes. How do you tackle process improvement to make them more efficient and make them better?
Todd Brassard: A relevant question, especially if the resurgence in domestic manufacturing continues. There is pressure, newfound interest, and good reason for U.S. OEMs to manufacture leading electronics technologies within the United States. Much of this new interest is coming from increasing security concerns as other countries rapidly advance their technical capabilities – at times through forced technology transfer, intellectual property theft, or other nefarious methods – which in many cases already exceeds the manufacturing capabilities of United States electronics industry.
Sure, there’s good reason to bring electronics manufacturing back to U.S. soil, but lawmakers’ focus on advancing and protecting exclusively microelectronics as opposed to the greater surrounding ecosystem has ended in a domestic electronics industry that can readily conceive and design, but not adequately manufacture, the most advanced electronic systems at home in the United States. Through direct and frequent interactions, we know defense, aerospace, and even some commercial U.S. OEMs are casting about the country seeking circuit board manufactures that can provide viable technological solutions for novel leading edge electronic systems to fulfill their government contract commitments within the next two to three years. Often, will little success, according to their representatives on the calls.
Money solves problems by enabling manufacturers to acquire modern equipment, attract talented people, and sustain a capable workforce, but unlike the state sponsored circuit board manufacturers common in China, the U.S. government cannot and will not come to rescue of the U.S. circuit board manufactures with a sweeping injection of funding. Manufacturers must play with the “cards they been dealt” and make incremental improvements from there.
How then can U.S. circuit board manufacturers begin the journey towards becoming a smart factory? Is becoming a smart factory a good strategy based on what the U.S. market is now asking of its electronic manufacturing industrial base? Is there a middle ground between traditional manual processing and smart factories, say with smarter processes?
To read the full article, which appeared in the January 2021 issue of PCB007 Magazine, click here.
Suggested Items
Boeing's Janene Stinson Earns IPC Excellence in Education Award at IPC APEX EXPO 2024
04/22/2024 | IPCThe IPC Excellence in Education award was presented to Janene Stinson, Boeing, at IPC APEX EXPO 2024 in Anaheim, California, in recognition of her significant contributions to workforce development and leadership.
Zentech’s Board of Directors Announces the Return of Matt Turpin as President and CEO
04/22/2024 | Zentech ManufacturingTurpin draws upon over 35 years of experience in the electronics industry and has an 18-year history with Zentech. He previously served as President and CEO from 2006 to 2019 after which time he has remained active in the EMS industry as an advisor to Zentech and other industry organizations.
IDTechEx Report Unveils 3D Electronics Status and Opportunities
04/22/2024 | PRNewswire3D electronics is an emerging manufacturing approach that enables electronics to be integrated within or onto the surface of objects. 3D electronic manufacturing techniques empower new features, including mass customizability, greater integration, and improved sustainability in the electronics industry.
IDTechEx Examines the Opportunities for Wearables in Digital Health
04/19/2024 | IDTechExIDTechEx’s report, “Digital Health and Artificial Intelligence 2024-2034: Trends, Opportunities, and Outlook”, covers this ongoing trend in the consumer health wearables market and includes analysis of the opportunities and roadmap for biometric monitoring.
ZESTRON Welcomes Whitlock Associates as New Addition to their Existing Rep Team in Florida
04/19/2024 | ZESTRONZESTRON, the leading global provider of high-precision cleaning products, services, and training solutions in the electronics manufacturing and semiconductor industries, is thrilled to announce the addition of Whitlock Associates to its esteemed network of sales representatives.