The Problem
A high volume electronics manufacturer operating with a lot size of one needed a comprehensive Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) system to manage complex assembly operations. The facility ran multiple automated assembly technologies including chip shooters, robotic assembly, and laser marking — all operating as isolated islands with no unified data infrastructure. CAD drawing display at assembly stations was manual, barcode readers and PLCs were unconnected, and there was no automated material handling to support flow-through assembly. Without integration, production visibility was limited and quality traceability was impossible.
The Approach
Capnetix designed and implemented a full CIM system integrating all assembly technologies into a unified production data architecture. The solution included automated material handling to support flow-through assembly, CAD drawing display at operator workstations for real-time assembly guidance, laser marking integration for part identification and traceability, and direct interfaces to chip shooters, robotic assembly cells, barcode readers, and PLCs. A central data layer collected production data from all systems in real time, enabling end-to-end visibility across the entire assembly operation.
The Result
The facility achieved full CIM integration across all assembly technologies, eliminating isolated islands of automation and replacing them with a unified production data infrastructure. Flow-through assembly was enabled by automated material handling, operator error was reduced through real-time CAD drawing display at workstations, and laser marking provided complete part traceability from assembly through test. The system successfully supported high volume production at a lot size of one — one of the most demanding environments in electronics manufacturing.