Scanfil automates electronics testing at German plant
Finnish EMS provider Scanfil has implemented a fully automated test cell at its Wutha production site in Germany. The solution combines robotics and process control to automate the testing and sorting of electronic assemblies.
The automated test cell was developed in collaboration with Scanfil's Industrial Engineering team and is designed to reduce manual intervention in the testing process while improving traceability and process stability.
A collaborative robot (cobot) handles the movement of panels through the testing process. It picks panels from a magazine, loads them into the test fixture and initiates the testing cycle.
Test results are transferred to the cell controller, which automatically sorts the tested boards. Defective boards are identified, marked and routed to a dedicated rework magazine, while approved boards are transferred to a separate magazine.
According to Scanfil, the system can operate independently for extended periods. Operators are only required to load and unload the magazines at the beginning or end of a shift, allowing testing and sorting to continue without direct operator involvement.
The company describes the setup as a foundation for so-called "black shift" production, where manufacturing equipment can continue operating without operators being directly involved in the process.
Scanfil said the automation is intended to increase throughput, improve process stability and reduce operational costs while maintaining quality. The company added that further investments in automation form part of its efforts to improve operational efficiency and long-term competitiveness at the Wutha site.
