© 2021 Cogiscan. Tous droits réservés.
MATERIAL & PROCESS CONTROL - MSD CONTROL - PCBA Manufacturing
Resurgence of MSD Management
in PCBA Manufacturing
September 16, 2025
By Cogiscan's Experts
By Cogiscan's Experts
Introduction
The management and control of moisture-sensitive devices (MSDs) in printed circuit board assembly is experiencing a resurgence. Since the start of the year, we’ve received more inquiries about our MSD Control Application than in the previous two years combined. These inquiries reflect a growing urgency among manufacturers to address their most pressing MSD challenges on the shop-floor.
Why the sudden interest?
Speaking with these manufacturers, it’s become clear that several industry trends are driving this renewed focus. Let’s explore these shifts.
Why the sudden interest?
Speaking with these manufacturers, it’s become clear that several industry trends are driving this renewed focus. Let’s explore these shifts.
Digitalization Push
Digitalization isn’t just about analytics and AI, it encompasses all possible elements of the manufacturing ecosystem, including the management of MSDs. Historically, many small to mid-sized electronics manufacturers hadn't modernized their MSD management system because they didn’t need to. They had a technician or engineer dedicated to this process; and while not true in every situation, MSDs were typically managed manually through spreadsheets and a reliance on over-baking.
While this may have worked in the past, it’s no longer sufficient in today’s fast-paced, data-driven manufacturing environment.
While this may have worked in the past, it’s no longer sufficient in today’s fast-paced, data-driven manufacturing environment.
Labor Shortage & Skills Gap
Relying on a skilled technician or engineer to perform a production critical task is not as simple as it used to be. We’re all aware of the labor shortage in this industry– as experienced technicians and engineers retire; manufacturers are finding it nearly impossible to recruit skilled replacements.
This shortage also forces the question: should such a complex and essential process rely on a single individual? The answer is clear: relying on manual oversight for MSD management is not sustainable– manufacturers need an automated solution that reduces dependency on specialized labor.
This shortage also forces the question: should such a complex and essential process rely on a single individual? The answer is clear: relying on manual oversight for MSD management is not sustainable– manufacturers need an automated solution that reduces dependency on specialized labor.
Complexity in PCBAs
Component miniaturization makes manual MSD management trickier too. These smaller components not only amplify the need to properly handle moisture because they absorb it faster and tolerate it less, but also because they enable high-density designs. PCBAs with a higher density, oftentimes of varying moisture-sensitivity levels (MSLs), require a level of control that manual systems simply cannot provide.
The growing complexity of PCBAs requires automated solutions that can handle the intricacies of component tracking and exposure time within the compliance of the latest JDEC standards.
The growing complexity of PCBAs requires automated solutions that can handle the intricacies of component tracking and exposure time within the compliance of the latest JDEC standards.
Growth in AeroDef
The aerospace and defense industries are booming—with new players entering the market and introducing innovative products that need to be assembled. When the preferred electronics manufacturing providers reach capacity, these new entrants have to turn to alternative manufacturers to get their products validated and in-production.
For these contract manufacturers, who aren’t as familiar with the stringent requirements of aerospace and defense, they need a robust, automated MSD management tool that ensures they meet the standards of these high-stakes industries.
For these contract manufacturers, who aren’t as familiar with the stringent requirements of aerospace and defense, they need a robust, automated MSD management tool that ensures they meet the standards of these high-stakes industries.
Future of MSD Management
While these trends are driving a renewed focus on MSD management, every manufacturer faces a unique situation when it comes to modernizing their processes. Whether the motivation is digital transformation, labor constraints, increased product complexity, or market demands, the need for a reliable and automated solution remains.
Whatever the driving force behind the need to take control over MSDs on your shop-floor, our MSD Control application has you covered– Cogiscan’s platform automates MSL classification and JEDEC compliance with unique ID-based container tracking, real-time exposure monitoring, dry storage and bake management as well interlocking the line to block expired parts from placement with built-in alerts and dashboards for proactive action. It easily integrates with MES, ERP, and placement machines ensuring that no expired component ever makes it to reflow.
It was the first automated solution to be released for electronics manufacturers specifically and is still leading to this day, especially in mixed-vendor ecosystems.
Whatever the driving force behind the need to take control over MSDs on your shop-floor, our MSD Control application has you covered– Cogiscan’s platform automates MSL classification and JEDEC compliance with unique ID-based container tracking, real-time exposure monitoring, dry storage and bake management as well interlocking the line to block expired parts from placement with built-in alerts and dashboards for proactive action. It easily integrates with MES, ERP, and placement machines ensuring that no expired component ever makes it to reflow.
It was the first automated solution to be released for electronics manufacturers specifically and is still leading to this day, especially in mixed-vendor ecosystems.
Ready to take control of MSDs on your shop floor?
You might also like