SMT programming automation
Python tooling and UI that accelerated Surface Mount Technology programming, validation, and proof capture on the shop floor.
- Role
- Process Engineer / Software Developer — Integrated Test Corporation (ITC), 2023–2025
- Stack
- Python, Tkinter, BeautifulSoup, HTML parsing, file automation
Highlights
- Custom UI to offset and rotate two-pin and other components, removing a recurring programming bottleneck.
- Automated snipping to capture program proofs directly into job folders.
- HTML scraping to validate machine data, electrical test status, and package assignments against expectations.
Problem
SMT programming involved repetitive manual steps, inconsistent component transforms, and slow verification that machine-exported data matched the intended build.
Approach
Built a coordinated suite of Python scripts plus a focused Tkinter UI for transforms operators used every day. Layered an automated capture path for proofs and a scraper that cross-checked exports against BOM and test metadata so issues surfaced before boards hit the line.
Outcome
Programming cycles shortened with fewer rework loops; engineers spent less time on mechanical clicks and more time validating the right build data.
Technical notes
- Job-folder conventions and naming so proofs stayed traceable to programs.
- Defensive parsing of vendor HTML exports with clear failure signals.