RiverSide Integrated Solutions Expands Factory-wide MES Strategy with YESTECH’s AOI Technology
By Mark Husman, Engineering Manager
Headquartered in the Midwest, RiverSide Integrated Solutions is an advanced contract manufacturer that providesrobust comprehensive solutions in circuit board assembly, electromechanical andmechanical assembly, kitting, supply chain management, fulfillment, distribution, and reverse logistics. With a culture of customer–focused solutions and continuous improvement, RiverSide Integrated Solutions is uniquely positioned to respond to any customer need.RiverSide Integrated Solutions’ Lewiston, MN facility
From preassembling line-ready subassemblies, repair of service parts, and testing for parts qualification to kitting, packaging, and distribution, itsfocus remains in support of the customer. With production facilities located in Lewiston and Winona, MN, the company features180,000 square feet of secure, climate-controlled space.
As a true one-stop-shop, RiverSide Integrated Solutions hasthe capabilities, capacity, quality assurance standards, and resources to provide customers with support for all of their manufacturing needs. When partnering with RiverSide Integrated Solutions, customers gain an ISO certified processand get the relief of a partner utilizing complex business systems to manage supply chain needs.
RiverSide Integrated Solutions’ contract manufacturing services include:
• Product Assembly: Solutions include building sub-assemblies as well as building full products start-to-finish.
• Printed Circuit Board (PCB) Assembly: Reliable, seamlessly-assembled PCB systems built with extreme precision using the company’s skilled engineers, technicians, and assemblers.
• Kitting Solutions: Complete turnkey solutions with package design, kit assembly, warehousing, and distribution services.
• Reverse Logistics: Well implemented reverse logistics improves customer satisfaction and loyalty, by quickly and smoothly managing returns and either repairing or replacing the faulty product.
RiverSide Integrated Solutions also provides a range of integrated solutions including product testing, fulfillment,distribution, and quality management.
To continue offering these solutions and to stay at the top of competition, RiverSide Integrated Solutions works with industry companies that share its vision of quality, flexibility and integrity. One such company is YESTECH Products, which is part of Nordson ELECTRONICS SOLUTIONS whoprovides design, development, and manufacturing of AOI solutions for the printed circuit board assembly industry.
RiverSide Integrated Solutions has worked with YESTECH in the past, having purchased its F1 2D AOI systems, which wereits first AOI. At one point, the company had seven F1 systems installed. When it was looking to expand with three 3D AOI systems, company team members looked at many of the available systems prior to and during APEX 2019. A matrix of the final five systems was created based on capability and costs, and YESTECH’s FX940 Ultra 3D system received the highest score. The systems were installed at the end of July 2019. Initially, all three were installed in line with the F1 systems to minimize interruption to production during the training and programming stage. The FX940 Ultra 3D systems were fully implemented in February 2020, and the F1 systems were decommissioned.RiverSide Integrated Solutions installed three Nordson YESTECH FX940 Ultra 3D systems to minimize production interruption during training and programming.
Richard Lieske, Manufacturing Support Manager at RiverSide Integrated Solutions, commented that the FX940 Ultra systems provide additional benefits. “Over the years we have learned about the benefits of using 2D AOI for post–reflow automated inspection. However, the limitations of that technology with false fails, and false positives due to lighting, camera, and processing capability required a human inspector to review the assembly after the automated inspection,” he said. “With the introduction of 3D AOI, we are able to use full 3D geometric information to create programs that drive false fails and false positives to a level that makes the system much more accurate, faster, and reliable than the human inspector.”
He explained that instead of an inspector sitting at the end of the SMT line, the company now has good/no good magazine loaders that separate the passing units from the failing units. If a unit does happen to fail, the FX940 Ultra 3D alarms, and a process tech is called to intervene. The process tech then evaluates the defect and looks back through the process to eliminate it from happening again, pushing the company to control up line systems and continually drive defects down,which ultimately improves quality.
Lieske added, “Full 3D analysis with the FX940 Ultra 3D also gives us a tool to analyze solder paste deposits, component and board feature dimensions, including board topography. Having this type of technology gives us the capability to capture data and images, that in some cases,has driven design changes back to the board level and made significant quality improvements.”
Additionally, the company purchased an Assure X-ray component counting system from DAGE, which also is part of Nordson ELECTRONICS SOLUTIONS. Lieske added that the goal for the Assure system is accurate control of floor stock. “The Assure system will complete the loop of Smart Shelving, and predictive reel changing for the pick–and–place system. The system will help us to keep from running short of parts and minimize downtime during reel changes.” The Assure arrived at the end of 2020.
In addition to technological advancements, YESTECH prides itself on providing quality customer service. RiverSide Integrated Solutions has worked closely with many of the support staff at YESTECH, and Lieske added it has worked through some custom feature requests and looks forward to making additional improvements.
“We have accomplished much by implementing the FX940 Ultra 3D system,” Lieske concluded. “Our goal was not to just replace the 2D systems with another AOI system, but to fundamentally change the way we utilize AOI. With the upgraded system, we are able to develop what we call TOFU: ‘Touch Only Failed Units.’ This system not only reduces unnecessary handling of passed assemblies, it also improves efficiencies and drives process improvement that ultimately results in improved quality.”
For more information about RiverSide Integrated Solutions, contact Katie Wohletz, Business Development Manager, at One Riverside Drive, Lewiston, MN 55952; E-mail: kwohletz@riversideintegrated.com; Web site: www.riversideintegratedsolutions.com. To find out more information about YESTECH and its solutions, visithttps://www.nordson.com/en/divisions/yestech.