Marcy’s Musings: The ‘Magic’ of Additive Processes
It’s Only Common Sense: More Great Business Ideas from ‘Breaking Bad’
Material Insight: The Dielectric Constant of PCB MaterialsGreenSource Engineering: An Eye on Design
October 4, 2023 | Nolan Johnson, I-Connect007Estimated reading time: 1 minute
Schweitzer engaged the services of GreenSource Engineering to assist in the initial design of the facility, along with handling automation equipment. Nolan Johnson met with the GreenSource team— Michael Gleason, Marco Mirkovic, James Brown, and Rick Nichols—representing GreenSource Engineering and GreenSource Fabrication (GSF), to better understand their working relationship for the build-out of the new facility in Moscow, Idaho.
Nolan Johnson: Your organization was involved with Schweitzer’s greenfield facility in Moscow, Idaho. What was your role there?
Rick Nichols: Essentially, we placed a high degree of automation in their facility. Once the word went out that we had successfully built a plant in New Hampshire, primarily fielding our own equipment along with the zero liquid discharge (ZLD) unit—which is a key component to any greenfield site—we got involved with SEL fairly rapidly. SEL came to the fab in New Hampshire to receive base level training on all aspects; they were given full access to the shop, and our engineers helped them out.
SEL collaborated with GreenSource on the factory design and equipment selection to ensure that the GSF automation equipment and ZLD system worked well. Once SEL saw the setup in New Hampshire, they wanted a similar structure for their master plan. We designed horizontal equipment for them although we did not install this equipment. We installed the ZLD unit, a prime piece of technological advancement that greenfield sites will be interested in.
Johnson: Rick, did SEL install custom-built equipment?
Nichols: Everything we build is custom, to some extent. I can give you an example. A typical stripping line in most board shops utilizes an alkaline solution of one kind or other, especially now. Often, shops use just sodium hydroxide, and this will tend to oxidize the panel’s copper surface. Our stripper, for example, has a built-in post-clean to ensure that the panels that come out are directly readable by AOI.
To read this entire conversation, which appeared in the September 2023 issue of PCB007 Magazine, click here.
Share on:
Suggested Items
TPCA Releases Guide to Help PCB Industry Achieve Low-Carbon Transformation
05/21/2024 | TPCAThe introduction of EU carbon tariffs, international brands committing to carbon neutrality, and the upcoming carbon fee in Taiwan means that carbon reduction is no longer just a slogan. Domestic and international pressures have turned carbon reduction into the golden grail of corporate sustainability.
IDENTCO Highlights Automation Capabilities and PCB Labeling at PCB East
05/13/2024 | IDENTCOIDENTCO – a manufacturer of high-performance labeling solutions for the power equipment, electronics, transportation, and general industrial sector – will highlight its automation capabilities and PCB labeling solutions at PCB East, June 4-7 in Boxborough, MA, Booth #301.
ASMC 2024 Opens With AI, Smart Manufacturing and Sustainability in Focus
05/13/2024 | SEMIThe 35th annual SEMI Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing Conference (ASMC 2024) opens today to focus on critical topics ranging from yield management and metrology to new developments in artificial intelligence, smart manufacturing and sustainability.
RTX Introduces the Collins Airport Surface Awareness System
05/10/2024 | RTXCollins Aerospace, an RTX business, introduces Collins’ Airport Surface Awareness System for real-time tracking, monitoring, and recording of both aircraft and ground support equipment at airports.
MKS’ Atotech, ESI to Participate in CPCA Show
05/09/2024 | MKS’ AtotechMKS’ Atotech, and ESI will participate in the CPCA Show 2024. The show will be held from May 13 to 15, 2024, at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) and will bring together domestic and international manufacturers in the electronic circuit industry.