EMS provider BTW Inc has recently purchased an entire suite of Aegis MOS software modules to support their continued expansion into demanding military and medical market areas. This investment was to provide speed to revenue, mistake-free manufacturing processes and accelerated reporting capabilities for use by both BTW’s management and customers. An initial market assessment of software functionality led to BTW choosing iLaunch for its ease of use and full factory support; this extended to a full MOS purchase as further reviews highlighted how well Aegis was accepted within BTW’s marketplace.
BTW’s success within their markets called for a level of control and reporting significantly higher than that available from their existing paper-based system of tracking, quality data collection and traceability. Newer, more sophisticated products were imposing increased manufacturing complexity with more process steps. This generated more intricate paperwork which still had to be constantly maintained and still had to track the products through manufacturing. Also, with increased chemical cleaning during production, fading of marker stamps on subassemblies was becoming an issue, so an electronic record of the process transactions was desired.
BTW has further enhanced their iLaunch implementation with Aegis’ BOM Integration software add-on, which is allowing them to standardize their capture of the widely varying manufacturing document standards they receive as contract manufacturers.
Aegis’ iLaunch module solves these problems by replacing the paper-based system with an efficient, accurate paperless environment that allowed them to continue their lean manufacturing philosophy. BTW has further enhanced their iLaunch implementation with Aegis’ BOM Integration software add-on, which is allowing them to standardize their capture of the widely varying manufacturing document standards they receive as contract manufacturers. This simplification and reduction of repetition has meant that, with trained operators, an NPI can be reduced from 3 – 5 days to just a number of hours, depending on the data format supplied by BTW’s customers.
The iLaunch paperless environment comprises operator documentation including visual, interactive assembly instructions to support cable and box-level build as well as PCB assembly. It also allows BTW to enter programming data for their Juki placement machines, CR-Tech AOI equipment and MPM screen printers. iView delivers the iLaunch documentation under revision control to operator terminals across the manufacturing area, allowing operators to view and drill down into the documents they need using a web browser interface.
BTW’s iLaunch and iView introduction will be followed by the other modules from their Aegis MOS suite. iTrac can track WIP across their entire production floor in real time, revealing the location of all works orders and units in production. It also allows tracking and validation of routes and processes. The iQ module allows non-conformance and defect data to be collected digitally from operator entry or from the AOI equipment. This is used to generate immediate alarms, allowing problems to be rectified as fast as possible.
For additional information contact:
Deb Geiger
VP, Global Marketing
Phone: +1 215.773.3571 x 1106
Email: [email protected]