New process audit service from Universal Instruments

The expertise of Universal Instruments' SMT Laboratory is now available on factory floors world-wide, through the Laboratory's new Process Audit service.

The Lab's ability to quickly optimize processes for surface mount and advanced packaging assembly is valuable to OEMs and outsource businesses seeking to maximize the productivity of increasingly complex processes.

The results from a Universal Instruments process audit can be used directly to reach targets agreed at the beginning of the audit. Each audit is performed as a consultative process, and the structure includes a review of the results from each stage and scope to agree objectives for the next step. Beginning with a comprehensive review of the process and existing yield and reliability issues, the results of the initial process audit are documented and presented for further discussion. Recommendations arising from the process audit are then implemented subject to customer agreement. The improvements achieved are measured and documented ahead of presentation of a final report.

Common objectives for a process audit include increasing end of line yield, reducing labor and materials costs due to scrap and rework, enhancing repeatability or product quality, or reducing assembly time and process steps leading to savings in utilities, capital equipment costs, maintenance and work in progress costs.

"Universal's new Process Audit service translates the SMT Lab's knowledge into better process performance for our customers," said George Westby, director of the SMT Lab. "Modern manufacturers simply do not have time to study their processes and develop ways to improve throughput, end of line yield, or productivity. Since the Universal SMT Lab has been active in developing many of the processes in use today, we are well positioned to advise how to implement, optimize and troubleshoot mature and cutting-edge assembly processes."