With ViCON, Rehm Thermal Systems has designed and created software that supports users in realising modern, networked, and above all, future-orientated electronics manufacturing. It offers a wealth of analytical tools, increased productivity and efficiency and, with central product management, a software feature that helps operators synchronise products across multiple systems. Central product management is available for the Vision series convection soldering systems, within identical transport systems.
By using the central product management within the ViCON system software, product parameters of individual assemblies can be compared with each other and adjusted or supplemented by manual or automatic synchronisation. Parameters are synchronised over a network through a TCP/IP protocol. A transparent network connection, e.g. a VPN, enables synchronisation across locations, which is a key building block in achieving a future-proof smart factory.
If synchronisation is not possible, error messages are displayed. Central product management synchronisation is used to exchange data between two or more systems, to increase process stability and, with bidirectional synchronisation, to reduce the time required by the user. All changes within the central product management are logged in chronological order. Furthermore, users can define the time period during which the systems synchronise.
When a new product is created and saved, or changes are made to the product settings, these are applied to all machines at the specified interval – regardless of whether the changes are made on the master or client system. Programs, on the other hand, are not synchronised through the central product management, as these can have machine-specific settings and must therefore be created manually.
ViCON’s wide range of functions
As well as central product management, ViCON offers a wide range of other functions that facilitate day-to-day production. With colour coding, the operator can also easily identify and assign the status of the display from a greater distance. ViCON software is also consistently designed to accommodate multiple languages. The simplicity with which you can switch “on the fly” to the preferred language simplifies worldwide remote access to other Rehm systems and operating in an international environment. Alarm messages can be clearly viewed, interpreted, edited and processed at the top of the screen – the relevance of the alarms is displayed in different colours. To control the system individually, the operator can create a favourite bar, that includes relevant and necessary parameters and control elements. These then appear on the main screen and at a definite point on each page. Alongside the use of touch operating elements and gestures, the new organisation of menu options and control panels, the core feature of ViCON software’s development lies in the option of accessing the software from a variety of devices (e.g. smartphones and tablets using a browser).
About Rehm Thermal Systems
Rehm is a technology and innovation leader in the state-of-the-art, cost-effective manufacturing of electronic assembly groups. It specialises in thermal system solutions for the electronics and photovoltaics industry. We are a globally active manufacturer of reflow soldering systems with convection, condensation or vacuum, drying and coating systems, functional test systems, equipment for the metallisation of solar cells as well as numerous customised systems. We have a presence in all key growth markets and, with more than 30 years of industry experience, we are able to implement innovative production solutions that set new standards.
