Field Visit to e-WIS PC factory

Introduction

The 2nd semester field visit of Computer Science and Engineering 2013 batch of University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka was held on 11^th of February 2015. The field visit was to e-WIS PC factory which is located in Sooriyawewa, Hambantota. e-WIS PC factory is the first PC and Laptop assembling factory in Sri Lanka. We left the university at 5.00 a.m., started the factory tour at 2.00 p.m., finished at 4.00 p.m. and returned to the university at 9.00 p.m.

Objectives

• Expose students to the process of constructing and assembling a computer
• Familiarize students with the industry standard tools
• Expose students to a typical plant layout, production line, and other engineering aspects

What we experienced

When we entered the factory for the tour, first we were given special kit of clothing including a coat carbon lines, a cap and foot covers. Then we had to go through a special room for air showering. These clothing and procedures are used in this factory to maintain quality of products by avoiding dust coming into the factory and to protect products from ESD (Electrostatic Discharge).

Then we were taken to a training room. Then the factory manager did a presentation about the vision, mission, service, process factory design and techniques. EWIS Colombo LTD’s motto is “Apata Apema Pariganakayak”.  This company does two main types of business. First one is OEM (original equipment manufacturer), making products in their own trade name and the other one is ODM (original design manufacturer), taking orders of other major computer companies to produce products under their brand. The factory is situated in Hambantota because of it has a harbour and an airport nearby. Therefore it would be easy for them to transport components and products. Then he showed us a video of assembling a laptop.

Then he explained how the factory has taken precautions to make the factory an Electro static charge free area. It is very important for them to get rid of electro static charges in order to produce quality products. This is because electro static charges can damage the electronic circuits in long term. He said “it’s like damaging the Nervous system of a human body”. When building the factory they have highly considered about preventing ESD. Every worker who works in the assembly line has to wear special hand bands which reduce electro statistic discharge.

Then he described about their new Motherboard design. In the present they use ASUS or Intel Motherboards for their products. They have built a sample of motherboard in collaboration with TOS Lanka. In the future they are going to use this new motherboard for their products.

While we were visiting, Desktop machines were being assembled in the production line. The process went on like following. As they said laptop assembling is also similar to this.  

• Unpacking the casing.
• Unpacking the Motherboard. 
• Connecting the Processor, the heat sink and the processor fan
• Updating the bios. 
• Pasting all the labels around the casing. These labels include all serial numbers which are used to identify all the components inside the system unit.
• Fixing the motherboard in to the casing Connecting RAM, DVD ROM and Hard Disk (Hard disks are cloned from OS and software installed hard disk). 
• Burn Room Test. Checking the performance and reliability of the computer inside a special room which has an inner temperature of 40-45 degree Celsius.
• Binding all cables inside the System unit in a proper manner.
• Checking the input-output functionality of the computer such as USB, Audio input and output, Network port and GPU output.
• Activating installed software. 
• Packing the Final product.

Their Products

Image Source - http://www.ewispc.com

• Normal Laptops
• Tablet (8.9 inch)
• Ultrabook – Advance performance laptop
• All in one PC
• Desktop Computers
• Mini laptop for kids (CMPS)

What we learned

It helped us to understand how a computer is assembled, how they maintain quality, what are the safety precautions, how to manage a production line, hoe to increase productivity in a factory and the services they provide.  And we understood the service they do to Sri Lanka.

Co-authors - Janaka Thilakarathna, Shanika Ediriweera