IPC HERMES-9852

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:
   Unique identifiers for the handled printed circuit boards (PCBs)
   Equipment identifiers of the first machine noticing a PCB
   Barcodes
   Conveyor speed
   Product type specific information:
       Product type identifier
       Length
       Width
       Thickness
       . . . 

With respect to version numbers The Hermes Standard 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, AOIs, transport modules, shuttles, stackers).
- The term "PCB" may also refer to carriers transporting PCBs.
- The word "Hermes" is used as abbreviation for "The Hermes Standard".
- "The Hermes Standard" and IPC-HERMES-9852 are synonyms for the standard specified in this document and might be used interchangeably.