NBS uses a RFID-based intelligent feeder and materials management system
to track, monitor, match and record components to PCB assemblies while
in-process. Graphic courtesy Juki Automation Systems AG.
Headquartered in Santa Clara, CA, NBS is an electronics manufacturing services provider. The company’s services include design and manufacturing engineering, new product introduction, production, test and verification, box build and systems integration.
Founded in 1999 as a PCB layout specialist, NBS started offering electronics manufacturing services in 2004 and has experienced significant growth by establishing a large and diverse customer base serving all industry segments and geographies. NBS has facilities in Santa Clara, Santa Barbara, CA, Nashua, NH, and Jakarta, Indonesia.
Recently, the company installed an intelligent feeder and materials management system throughout its highly automated Santa Clara manufacturing facility, which opened in June 2008. Based on radio frequency identification technology, the system enables NBS to electronically track, monitor, match and record components to printed circuit board assemblies while in-process, eliminating the practice of manual logging.
“Our addition of RFID technology is just another example of NBS pioneering changes in EMS services,” says Michael Maslana, NBS President and CEO. “While we expect the medical, aerospace and military market segments to immediately embrace its use, this also applies well to commercial products.”
The NBS implementation is based upon the IFS-X2 Intelligent Feeder System, made by Juki Automation Systems AG. RFID technology is employed both inside and outside of placement machines, including offline feeder trolleys and storage carts.
The technology provides NBS with feeder and associated-component visibility, as well as precise material management, throughout the facility.
“The impact of an error on an entire production lot can easily exceed the initial production cost and even raise serious legal consequences,” says Maslana. “Our new system provides totally closed-loop tracking of the entire material flow and manufacturing process to help ensure both error-free production and total traceability.”
IFS-X2 tracks all material in various processes for the complete assembly of PCBs. All materials-including boards, components, solder paste and flux-can be followed from receipt through processing. Processes monitored include printing, assembly, inspection and soldering.
All data is stored in a database that facilitates tracking and generating traceability reports. This database ensures complete transparency for process validation and error analysis.
For more information on RFID technology, call 919-460-0111 or visit www.jas-smt.com.
