scope:

The aim of this specification is to create a state-of-the-art communication protocol for surface-mount technology (SMT) production lines. Therefore, this new communication protocol has to cope with the following:

• Replace the electrical SMEMA interface as specified in IPC-SMEMA-9851

• Extend the interface to communicate (including):

ο Unique identifiers (IDs) for the handled printed boards

ο Equipment identifiers of the first machine noticing a printed board

ο Barcodes

ο Conveyor speed

ο Product type specific information (including):

• Product type identifier

• Length

• Width

• Thickness

With respect to version numbers IPC-HERMES-9852 adheres to the rules of Semantic Versioning 2.0.0 (SemVer_2.0.0).

Hints on naming

• Wherever a feature is described by the word ''shall'' it is mandatory.

• The word ''machine'' is used for any equipment which can be found in a SMT production line (e.g., printers, placement machines, ovens, automatic optical inspections (AOIs), transport modules, shuttles, stackers, etc.).

• The term ''printed board'' may also refer to carriers transporting printed boards.

• The word ''Hermes'' is used as abbreviation for ''IPC-HERMES-9852''.

• ''The Hermes Standard'' and IPC-HERMES-9852 are synonyms for the standard specified in this document and might be used interchangeably.