SigmaTron Source Q1 2022

This quarter’s issue of the SigmaTron Source introduces Wagz Inc.’s team and product. Additionally, it discusses ways that longer-term the Wagz team’s expertise may help SigmaTron customers needing IoT “go to market” consulting and support services. The issue also looks at ways IT improvements are helping SigmaTron’s team work smarter. Read the full issue here.

Does Your Outsourcing Strategy Consider the Cost Benefits of Regionalization?

One of the benefits of using a contract manufacturer large enough to provide a complete manufacturing solution is that the associated outsourcing strategy can consider a variety of cost saving options. For companies serving a global market, a regionalized outsourcing strategy can align manufacturing with optimum logistics for larger end markets by building products near or in the regions where they are used. While some OEMs choose to do that by using different suppliers, utilizing a single contract manufacturer able to manufacture in multiple regions improves efficiency and leverages economies of scale.

This whitepaper discusses three areas that should be evaluated when considering whether this approach is appropriate plus looks at examples where this type of strategy has provided specific advantages. Key areas to be evaluated in making this choice include:

• Volumes and predictability of demand
• Regional customization requirements
• Local content requirements.

Read the full whitepaper here.

Balancing Out Increasing Solder Cost

While the death of through-hole technology has been predicted for decades, the reality is some applications have components that require a level of solder joint robustness that only through-hole technology can deliver. In low- and medium-volume operations, the cost-effectiveness of soldering those mixed-technology printed circuit board assemblies using a selective solder machine is an easy calculation because it may eliminate the cost of operating a wave solder machine. However, operations doing high-volume assembly of predominantly through-hole PCBAs may find determining the cost-effectiveness of selective solder is more challenging since their wave solder machines operate continuously. In those cases, the question becomes: What is the point at which use of wave soldering becomes inefficient when the percentage of through-hole components on printed circuit board assemblies drops?

SigmaTron’s latest article in Circuits Assembly magazine looks at a Lean Six Sigma DMAIC project that answered this question. Read the full article here.