Efficiency and Ergonomics: How Advantech Achieves Success in Modern Manufacturing with an Optimized Assembly Line
Advantech is a leading provider of innovative and reliable embedded automation products and solutions, networking equipment, and edge AI solutions. Focused on sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare, transportation, and energy, Advantech offers top solutions including edge AI systems, industrial PCs, and IoT devices. The European branch of Advantech specializes in standardized custom solutions, assembling products to order according to specific customer requirements.
In June 2025, Advantech launched their first optimized assembly line. The design of this line was developed in collaboration with Etteplan. Erik Smulders, production manager at Advantech, served as the point of contact for this project.
The Challenge
Advantech aimed to enhance the efficiency of their assembly lines to reduce assembly times while simultaneously improving workplace ergonomics for their employees. This was crucial for both employee well-being and overall productivity.
Solution and Services
After attending a LCIA workshop hosted by Etteplan, Erik and two colleagues visited an innovative company in the semiconductor industry with Etteplan to see the application of LCIA in practice. Etteplan then provided in-house Low-Cost Intelligent Automation (LCIA) training for Advantech. During this training, the Advantech team learned the theory and how to apply it in practice. These experiences helped the team to generate ideas for their own assembly line. Etteplan also provided consulting support during the realization of the new line.
Added Value
With the new assembly line, Advantech can operate 10% to 20% more efficiently on average compared to their traditional setup. In exceptional cases, efficiency has even improved by up to six times.
Employees have also expressed satisfaction with the new layout. A colleague of Erik’s who works directly on the line stated that she is very pleased with the new design. She works on both the traditional and the optimized line. "I experience much less stress on the new line, have to walk less, and carry less. Plus, the process goes much faster. I really notice the benefits of this optimized way of working."
Fine-tuning the Assembly Line
By using the line, Advantech encountered several practical issues. These were addressed immediately to optimize the usability. One of the main improvements was the development of a software tool that automatically retrieves the most suitable work instructions from a database. As a result, the time needed to create work instructions for new product variants was reduced from five hours to just one hour. Additionally, a custom design 3D printed cable hub was developed to easily connect the specific cables needed for testing and programming various products.
Next Steps in Production Optimization
Through collaboration with Etteplan and internal initiatives, Advantech has laid a solid foundation for further optimization and growth in the future.
Erik stated: "We now want to explore how we can also assemble heavy products according to the LCIA method as well. We are discussing this with the supplier of the workstations. We are considering using a rail system to transport the product across different tables. Input from Etteplan could also be valuable here. Hopefully, we can start a pilot to see if this could be a viable solution."
"We are always looking for the balance between the time savings of the new assembly method and the preparation time for work instructions and line changes."
Erik Smulders
Production manager at Advantech
Reference
Etteplan supported LiNA Medical, a Danish company specialized in innovative medical devices, in production improvement in Poland. In this collaboration the Etteplan team in the Netherlands and Poland helped to optimize production at their Polish factory at Poznań. It was a fruitful partnership that yielded valuable insights.
Assembly Optimization
Our assembly optimization services can transform your production process by analyzing your assembly line and addressing bottlenecks for maximum efficiency. With our engineering expertise and advanced technology, you can reduce costs, boost productivity, and deliver high-quality products faster.