Systems Approach Toward Implementation of a Multiassembly, Multilot-Size, Multitechnology, Manufacturing Facility

Abstract This paper deals with the systems engineering of an electronic packaging plant for printed-circuit cards. The facility is designed to efficiently and concurrently build an assortment of product part-number assemblies of differing complexities and of varying lot sizes. A flexible, manufacturing-system architecture with modular elements providing for rapid movement of individual units between operations is key to improved productivity. Component verification and visual inspection with closed-loop feedback are included in the system. The concept of shared physical queues is discussed as it relates to scheduling mixed assemblies into the line for optimal machine utilization with minimum time through the process. Various algorithms for optimizing machine setup, as well as an extensive modeling tool, are addressed.