During the last decade the electronics industry faced growth rates considerably higher than average due to innovative products and the comprehensive use of electronic control devices for almost all types of technical products. Hence, printed circuit board (PCB) assembly can be seen as one of the most dynamic branches of the electronics industry. In modern electronics manufacturing, highly automated assembly systems are used to mount the electronic com- nents at pre-specified locations onto the PCBs. Because of the tremendous complexity of the process technology and huge capital investments, highly sophisticated planning and control strategies are needed for the operation of the assembly plants. In the past both industry and academia became heavily involved in the development of tools and planning concepts which help to master the huge variety of customized electronic pr- ucts. While previous research work has primarily been concerned with a high-volume, l- variety production environment, there is now an ongoing trend towards the use of highly fl- ible manufacturing equipment and the production of printed circuit boards in a mixed - quence with only small lot sizes.
