ASMPT, a leading global supplier of semiconductor and electronic manufacturing hardware and software, announced the launch of a powerful software portfolio to assist smart factories in achieving comprehensive automation and material flow optimization. Only through the integrated Factory Material Manager and WORKS Logistics applications can ASMPT high-end manufacturing hardware fully unleash its potential.

To optimize the utilization of production equipment, avoid excess material inventory, and reduce waste, you need to have a comprehensive understanding of inventory, storage locations, and current material requirements for SMT production lines. Based on data-driven approach, real-time connection between material inventory and demand data enables precise control of manufacturing processes, ultimately maximizing your return on investment.

Thomas Bliem, Vice President of Research and Development at ASMPT SMT Solutions, said, "In order for our advanced manufacturing equipment to efficiently and continuously produce products, it is necessary to continuously replenish materials, which leads to two core questions: first, 'where are the materials' - that is, which materials are stored in which packaging or container and where are they located? Second,' where do the materials go '- that is, where are the materials needed and how much are needed? ASMPT provides answers to these two questions for automated material flow optimization with its seamlessly integrated Factory Material Manager and WORKS Logistics applications

FACTORY Material Manager：
Real time access to the latest inventory data

After the new materials are received, the Factory Material Manager assigns a unique identifier (UID) to each packaging or container, associating special attribute information such as material quantity, number, manufacturer, batch number, delivery date, and moisture sensitivity or expiration date. When the material location changes, its label UID will be scanned, and the material consumption of the production line will be reported to the Factory Material Manager through a standardized interface.

This continuous real-time inventory data forms a digital twin of the physical material flow, laying the foundation for all subsequent optimization steps. The program generates a path optimized material requisition based on this and communicates with the automatic warehousing system. The Factory Material Manager also ensures that material outbound follows the first in first out (FIFO) principle and controls the exposure time of moisture sensitive devices (MSD).

WORKS Logistics：
Material flow following the 4R principle

Factory Material Manager obtains production line material consumption information from WORKS Logistics. WORKS Logistics obtains data from preliminary production plans (such as WORKS scheduling systems) and coordinates with existing production resources to achieve material supply and demand balance.

For small-scale production, it is usually sufficient to provide the initial materials required to start production and the amount of supplementary materials needed to complete the entire order. For large-scale production, WORKS Logistics predicts material requirements based on time periods and reports them to the Factory Material Manager. The Factory Material Manager generates replenishment requests and precise timing delivery instructions to the central warehouse and transit warehouse based on this. Two sets of programs work together to build an automated Just in Time logistics system, always adhering to the 4R principle: providing the right materials at the right time, right place, and right quantity.

After each production task is completed, WORKS Logistics will also analyze the remaining material quantity on each machine. If the feeder still needs to be used in the near future, the system will instruct the staff to move it to the active feeder rack located in the material preparation area. The operator receives color code instructions from the software: the red LED on the feeder flashes to indicate that the material should be removed and returned to the warehouse; If the green LED is constantly on, it indicates that the feeder should be kept on the movable rack to prepare for the next feeding.