Multi-Stage Builds

In the production of electronic devices, the assembly process often involves multiple stages. This approach allows for a more efficient and organized manufacturing workflow. PartsBox supports multi-stage builds in the "Production" plan and higher, enabling users to manage and track the progress of their builds effectively.

Typical Build Stages

1. SMD Component Placement and Reflow: In the first stage, Surface Mount Device (SMD) components are placed on the Printed Circuit Board (PCB) and soldered using a reflow process. This stage is often automated using pick-and-place machines and reflow ovens.
2. Through-Hole (THT) Component Mounting: The second stage involves mounting through-hole components on the PCB. These components are typically inserted manually and soldered using wave soldering or hand soldering techniques.
3. Special Attention Components: Some components may require special attention or manual assembly due to their complexity or sensitivity. These components are often mounted in a separate stage to ensure proper handling and assembly.
4. Testing and Quality Control: After the assembly stages, the boards undergo testing to verify their functionality and quality. This stage ensures that only working boards are considered as completed stock for the sub-assembly part.

PartsBox Multi-Stage Build Features

Selective Part Assembly

At each build stage, PartsBox allows users to select the specific components to be assembled. This feature enables granular control over the assembly process, as stock is removed only for the selected parts. This selective assembly approach optimizes inventory management and reduces waste.

In-Progress Build Tracking

PartsBox provides a dedicated section for tracking builds that are in progress. Users can monitor the status of each build stage, view comments describing the work performed, and track the overall progress of the build. This feature enhances visibility and control over the production process.

Unlimited Builds and Stages

With PartsBox, users can have an unlimited number of builds in progress, each with any number of stages. This flexibility accommodates various production scenarios and scales seamlessly with the complexity of the electronic devices being assembled.

Unique Build Identification

Each build in PartsBox is assigned a unique identifier, allowing for easy tracking and identification of boards throughout the production process. This identifier remains consistent across all stages of the build, enabling the use of ID Anything™ labels on incomplete devices. By scanning the label, users can quickly access information about the build, including its current stage and progress.

Finishing a Build

Once all stages of a build are completed, users can mark the build as finished. This action adds the stock to the sub-assembly part associated with the project, making it available for use in other builds. Finishing a build ensures accurate inventory management and enables seamless integration of sub-assemblies into higher-level assemblies.

Benefits of Multi-Stage Builds

Multi-stage builds offer several advantages for automated production, particularly when dealing with quantities beyond a few dozen units:

1. Improved Organization: By breaking down the assembly process into distinct stages, multi-stage builds provide a structured and organized approach to production. Each stage focuses on specific tasks, reducing complexity and increasing efficiency.
2. Enhanced Quality Control: Multi-stage builds allow for quality checks and testing at various points in the assembly process. This approach catches issues early, reduces rework, and ensures a higher overall quality of the final product.
3. Increased Flexibility: With the ability to selectively assemble parts at each stage, multi-stage builds offer flexibility in accommodating design changes, component substitutions, or production variations. This adaptability is crucial in dynamic manufacturing environments.
4. Scalability: PartsBox's multi-stage build feature scales effortlessly with production volume. Whether dealing with a few dozen units or thousands, the system can handle the complexity and track the progress of each build effectively.
5. Traceability: The unique identification of each build, combined with the ID Anything™ labeling system, enables full traceability throughout the production process. This traceability is essential for quality control, inventory management, and compliance with industry regulations.

Multi-stage builds in PartsBox empower electronic device manufacturers to streamline their production processes, improve efficiency, and deliver high-quality products consistently. By leveraging this feature, businesses can optimize their manufacturing operations and meet the demands of automated production at scale.