Information Management

Shop Floor Communication

CAMX standards

CAMX specifications

Initiated by NEMI's Plug & Play Factory Project, the CAMX standards - Computer Aided Manufacturing using XML (eXtensible Mark-up Language) - define a common way to represent and exchange information among a system of electronic assembly equipment and higher-level applications. CAMX enables interoperability - "plug and play" capability - which helps reduce the time and cost required to integrate a new piece of electronics assembly equipment or software application into a shop floor environment. It also allows manufacturers to use the best piece of equipment or application for the job, regardless of vendor.

CAMX consists of the IPC-2540 standards, which define shop-floor data in the form of XML messages, and IPC-2501, which defines how these messages are to be exchanged in a CAMX environment. These standards leverage GenCAM, the industry standard that defines how product data for PCBs should be described, including information needed for tooling, manufacturing, assembly, inspection and testing requirements.

The IPC-2540 standards were developed, defined and standardized through the NEMI Plug & Play Factory Project. Development of IPC-2501 started with the Plug and Play Project and continues through Georgia Tech's Framework Implementation Project.

IEEE Open Architecture Controller

The IEEE/NEMI controller specification can help North American manufacturers create low-cost, flexible automation equipment. It provides for a uniform application programming interface (API) to control industrial machinery that requires motion control, such as robots, flexible assembly cells, SMT chip placement machines, etc. This API replaces traditional proprietary control systems which limit access to data or functions, require special training for non-standard programming languages, and are difficult to interface to third party equipment. With a standard interface, equipment is less costly to develop, can be designed and built more quickly, and can be reused. In addition, the specification can be implemented on a PC, which gives users the benefits of low initial costs, low system integration costs and low maintenance costs.

Supply Chain Communication

PDX standards

PDX specifications

The IPC Product Data eXchange (PDX) standards are powerful tools for exchanging technical data among OEMs, electronics manufacturing services (EMS) providers and suppliers. Developed by NEMI's Virtual Factory Information Interchange Project (VFIIP), these standards will help shorten the time and reduce the cost required to establish and maintain information exchange partnerships across the manufacturing supply web.

The PDX standards define an XML encoding scheme that enables supply chain partners to exchange product content, changes and subsequent manufacturing information in a common language. This capability allows companies to exchange information through a single port of the exchange software rather than developing a different solution for each trading partner.

In developing the PDX standards, NEMI worked closely with, and coordinated efforts between, IPC and RosettaNet to leverage efforts toward a common goal and to ensure consistency between resulting standards. (RosettaNet is a consortium dedicated to the collaborative development and rapid deployment of open Internet-based business standards that align processes within the global high-technology trading network.) IPC created the 2570 series specifically for standards resulting from NEMI's Virtual Factory Project. RosettaNet worked with NEMI and IPC to integrate the PDX standards into its own Cluster 2 and Cluster 7 Partner Interface Processes® (PIPs®). These PIPs relate to distribution and update of production information and to the exchange of technical data for manufacturing.

The Cluster 2 Product Information PIPs (2C1-2C10) have been ratified. These interfaces enable distribution and periodic update of product and detailed design information, including product change notices and product technical specifications. Cluster 7 Manufacturing PIPs, which will allow the exchange of "as-built" factory floor information, collaborative design and quality information reporting, are in development.

RosettaNet Cluster 7 PIPs - exchange of technical data for manufacturing
Standard	Description	Status
PIP 7B1	Distribute Work in Process	in production
PIP 7B5	Notify Of Manufacturing Work Order	in production
PIP 7B6	Work Order Change Notification	in production
PIP 7C6	Distribute Product Quality Event Data	in validation

RosettaNet PIPs

CAD/CAM data exchange

This standard was developed by NEMI's Data Exchange Convergence Project. It "converges" GenCAM and ODB++ into a single XLM-based data exchange format that will enable accurate, efficient data exchange between the designers and manufacturers of printed circuit boards (PCBs) and printed circuit assemblies (PCAs). The specification starts with Valor's ODB++ (X) as a foundation and integrates missing elements from IPC's GenCAM.

Official "Offspring" IPC 2581 Website