03 September 2020
Alessandro Benassi, System Electronics Business Line Director, presents the new production hub
Can you describe to us the new System Electronics factory? How has it been structured in order to achieve the maximum in cutting-edge technology?
It’s a production hub that permits System Electronics to raise the bar in terms of both the quality and the quantity of production. To achieve such a result we have moved in different directions: in the choice of new cutting-edge equipment and in the logistics design. Today’s factory is equipped with a series of latest-generation technologies, some completely new for Italy; to ensure that they have a high level of productivity, however, it has been necessary to make the production flows even more efficient. This is why the planning phases for the new site were of crucial importance. What we were asking ourselves, right from the start, was «how do we feed the production flow in a continuous way in order to make the new technologies highly productive?». From here we set about structuring a logistics set-up that was able to guarantee an adequate, constant flow of materials able to exploit the very high performance of the new equipment.
We focused on the arrangement of the line, fundamental for the fluidity of operations. We structured workstations in sequence in order to avoid overlaps of activities. This allowed us to perform operations with continuity, such as, for example, the loading and unloading of material on the line at the same time.
Another very important aspect was the positioning of the warehouse for the management of semi-finished products directly inside the production department. Every component is often composed of numerous parts and combinations of them which are not always assembled immediately. It’s often necessary to stock them and request them subsequently in order to complete the process, or to make changes on the basis of the customer’s requirements.
Adopting the strategy of having the warehouse in the department has been found to be an excellent solution for avoiding slow-downs during production. Finally, the automatic assembly of boards occurs entirely inside System Electronics.
Thanks to the acquisition of Ciesse Elettronica last year, we have imported fundamental know-how into this sector, allowing us to carry out the whole production process autonomously.
In the light of all these new developments, how would you define System Electronics’ new production process?
I believe the term «flexible production» best summarizes System Electronics’ production process. The new factory is characterised by agility, at least that’s how it’s been conceived. System Electronics does not generally produce millions of items all the same, but tens of thousands of pieces on the basis of precise designs created together with the customer in order to meet their particular needs. Our area of work is based on numerous and different elements to be produced also in relatively low quantities, typical of the industrial world. For this reason, the production department has to be elastic and adapt rapidly to all the variations that occur every day, and the structure has to be able to manage a large number of different products at the same time.
To give an example, the testing department, which has been completely renewed and reinforced, makes it possible to perform in-circuit tests directly in the line for all the types of boards it requires.
How has the work life of System Electronics employees improved in the new factory?
First of all, the working environment is completely renewed. We’ve greatly increased the level of comfort for the worker; the spaces are wider and more livable and the work areas allow for activities to be performed in a more rapid and effective way, in compliance with all safety requirements. In this regard, the entire production department was been equipped with a structured system for protection from electrostatic charges and we’ve implemented a control procedure for access to ensure that those entering are correctly equipped. This will allow us to obtain certifications and approvals that permit us to work directly with many other productive sectors that require more stringent procedures.
Can you tell us about System Electronics and what are the new technologies adopted inside the new factory?
Today System Electronics is able to manage the entire industrial process, from design to production. The absorption of Ciesse Elettronica last year was fundamental for this. Different teams work inside the company, characterized by different professional skills: electronic engineers are involved at the design stage, dealing with the software, hardware and firmware part, and manage operating systems, applications and interfaces. 40 operators and technicians specialized in the testing and assembly phase are, instead, involved in the production stage.
With regards to the new equipment introduced, we can mention, for the production side, 3D optical inspection at end-of-line and tomographic x-ray inspection, which are an authentic rarity in this sector. I would add the automated solder paste storage system, which occurs through optical control and makes it possible to store an extremely precise quantity of material and, finally, the vapour-phase oven that permits very high-quality levels suitable also for particular sectors such as aerospace and motorsport. On the design side, I would mention one above all others: the anechoic chamber, a technology that makes it possible to carry out electromagnetic compatibility tests on every product and to increase the quality standard of what we produce in System Electronics.
What industrial sectors does System Electronics operate in?
We operate in various industrial sectors, both with regards to design and production. In the first case we work in the ceramic, naval and cement industries and in waste collection. With regards to production, we work with the medical, automotive, info-mobility, aerospace and aviation sectors. In all events, System Electronics could potentially serve any market in which electronics are present
What benefits are guaranteed to those who refer to System Electronics?
We present ourselves as a technological partner both in the creation of a design and for future development. Let me give you an example: many components become obsolete, also after a short time, and this often leads to the need to carry out re-engineering work; that’s why turning to System Electronics means counting on a team that is able to provide assistance at any point in the electronic components production chain. Our strength lies in the ability to identify any problem and to find a solution to resolve it. Today this ability is a significant advantage that allows companies to stand out within their market.
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