Keywords
Citation
(1999), "IPC identifies PWB IT issues - plans standard", Circuit World, Vol. 25 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/cw.1999.21725aab.005
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 1999, MCB UP Limited
IPC identifies PWB IT issues - plans standard
IPC identifies PWB IT issues plans standard
Keywords Information technology, IPC, Standards
IPC has announced plans to create an information technology (IT) standard and corresponding industry roadmap to assist printed wiring board (PWB) manufacturers achieve necessary operating efficiencies and meet customer demands.
A cross-section of PWB manufacturers and IT suppliers including Hadco Corp., Litton Systems Advanced Circuitry, and Teradyne met recently at IPC to identify current and future IT requirements. The group identified 13 basic requirements believed to be unique to PWB manufacturing, including process and product engineering, product characteristics (cost, cycle-time, yield, capacity, material, quality), demand management, shopfloor control (routeing, scheduling, work-in-process), and reporting requirements (at-will reporting).
Attendees recognised that several commercially available software programs already meet some needs of PWB manufacturers, but that in some unique areas further customisation is necessary. The proposed standard will address the 13 core requirements for PWB manufacturers.
The roadmap, outlining the industry's current and future IT needs, will permit manufacturers and IT suppliers to prepare for future software and hardware demands. Emphasising that users and suppliers must work together to meet these demands, Hadco senior vice president of corporate services and chief information officer John Caruso said: "It is critical that the PWB industry solicit feedback from OEMs and electronics manufacturing services companies to determine future IT impacts on PWB manufacturers."
To become involved with IPC's IT roadmapping and standardisation effort, contact: IPC Vice President of Industry Programs, Tony Hilvers. Tel: +1 (847) 790-5337; or E-mail AnthonyHilvers@ipc.org For more information on IPC, visit the IPC Web site at www.ipc.org