Month: July 2018

An Introduction to… The Chemigraphic Apprenticeship Scheme

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Apprenticeship Scheme

Every business is driven by its collective team. We know that we couldn’t keep our promises to our customers without empowering our people with the skills, knowledge and technical experience they need to deliver the high standards we consistently adhere to.

The Chemigraphic difference

After training with Chemigraphic, our apprentices have a significant advantage over their peers due to our deep knowledge of manufacturing and our position as a key global player in the EMS market, working with top flight product manufacturers. We pride ourselves on providing seamless delivery and flawless performance for our customers. Our technical skill coupled with our focus on strictly controlled and automated processes means we consistently deliver high-quality support for our customers’ products at all stages of the lifecycle.

Gaining valuable experience through the Chemigraphic apprenticeship scheme

Our apprenticeship scheme is another example of our dedication to excellence and control process, ensuring that thorough and diverse training is given to our apprentices, enabling them to find their own path and excel throughout their careers.

During our 2-year programme, our apprentices spend time in all of the functional departments within our business, gaining first hand and invaluable experience. All apprentices work directly with our in-house training department, alongside carefully selected mentors to maximise their learning and development time.

At the end of the programme, apprentices will have a comprehensive understanding of:

  • Materials handling
  • Location-based stores systems
  • Lean manufacturing principles
  • Professional and industry used IT systems (CAD / Database / Office)
  • SMT processes
    • Component identification
    • Screen printing
    • Placement machine operation
    • Quality control procedures
  • Through-hole assembly
    • Component forming
    • Placement & Clinching
    • Operating wave-flow
    • Selective Soldering
    • Conformal coating machinery
    • Manual soldering skills
  • Procurement
  • Sales, Customer Services & HR principles

Finding the best role for every apprentice

We are a dedicated supporter of STEM Learning; inspiring young people to get involved in engineering and manufacturing and to forge successful careers in the field and in EMS in particular.

Throughout the programme, each apprentice’s performance will be closely assessed, enabling focused support where needed. At the end of the scheme, our management team will mentor all of our apprentices and assist them in making an informed decision as to what sector is right for them as an individual.

Q&A with Maggie Wen, Chinese Sourcing Manager

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Maggie Wen

Q&A: Maggie Wen, Chinese Sourcing Manager

1. How long have you been working in this field

I have worked in the Electronic Manufacturing Services (EMS) sector for over ten years and joined Chemigraphic nine months ago when the Shenzhen sourcing office was opened.

2. What interested you about Chemigraphic?

The great draw for me is that Chemigraphic is such a success story within electronic manufacturing. It has grown from being a localised business to a large global player which means there are – and will be – many opportunities for growth and personal development which I want to be part of.

Sourcing plays an important role in supply chain management as it impacts output and profitability, and because I enjoy negotiating with our Chinese suppliers, I can get the best prices for our customers. Chemigraphic is forward thinking and encourages its staff to learn and develop.

3. What does a typical day look like for you?

My work varies greatly but the main focus is to expand our global supply chain. I meet suppliers and discuss our customers’ requirements and the challenges they face. I negotiate on price and lead times for components. I help Chemigraphic source globally by using our Chinese connections as an advantage to grow the business in the UK.

4. What are you proud of?

The relationships I’ve built for the business and for our customers. I have worked hard to help establish a successful and efficient network of Chinese suppliers who can deliver cost-efficient, quality solutions for our customers. What I do impacts on Chemigraphics success which makes me proud.

5. Are there any obstacles that you need to overcome?

The most common obstacle we and our customers face is the shrinking timescales involved in manufacturing electronic products. Supply chains are increasingly under pressure as companies want to get their products to market quicker, without compromising on quality. Our challenge is to source more parts at better prices which can be delivered in shorter time-frames.

Raising the barcode: Why large component volumes need control processes like barcoding

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Raising the barcode: With large component volumes, control processes such as barcoding are vital

With OEMs under increasing pressure to produce and distribute products to ever decreasing timeframes but higher standards than ever, getting the manufacturing practices as smooth as possible is a major priority. Handing the management of this process and of the parts and materials needed to manufacturing partners is cost effective and logical, but also requires manufacturers to put a great deal of trust in their EMS partners. Implementing flawless control processes is one way that EMS partners can reassure manufacturers that their products are in safe hands.

Many components, especially those used in surface mount technologies, are identical with no markings or visible differentiators. EMS firms service multiple customers and support a vast array of products and technologies, meaning there are thousands of parts in circulation. At Chemigraphic, we have over 40,000 parts in play at any one time.

However, it’s vital to treat every different part as an individual, as they each have a very distinct function and purpose. Putting the wrong part in the wrong location, even though it fits physically, can be catastrophic for the product, causing immediate failure or remaining hidden as a latent fault only to be revealed years later.

In order to avoid such issues and keep on top of the exact identity and location of every component, it’s crucial for EMS providers to implement strict control processes and procedures throughout the manufacturing process.

At Chemigraphic, we are meticulous about component control. Here are just some of the control processes we use to maintain the highest standards of quality for our customers:

  1. Sourcing

We have robust systems around process governance, meaning we only source components from reputable and approved suppliers. Any issues or non-conformities arising are managed with trackable documentation which is recorded and reviewed. We are committed to carrying out regular and thorough checks and balances to manage supplier quality and drive continuous improvement.

  1. Automated barcoding

We operate an automated barcode generation system which barcodes everything in our factory: materials, equipment, personnel and products. Our Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system will only allow the movement of components and materials between each stage of the manufacturing process once the necessary criteria are fulfilled, allowing for full traceability. We actively manage this data which is displayed on dashboards all around the factory and our offices, enabling immediate identification and rectification of issues before they escalate.

  1. Bespoke labelling

At PCB level, our ERP generates a unique serial number per product which is automatically printed and placed by machine. This avoids any possibility of duplication, lack of serialisation, or inconsistency in placement or orientation. This is especially important when customer assembly or service personnel require access to the products through access hatches or similar.

Our surface mount stock is managed by a fully automated kitting and storage system which eradicates the risk and cost of operators picking parts from shelves.