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From the Editor
Productronica: Worldwide Electronics Conference Reflects Market
December 31, 1969 |
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
Productronica, the conference that happens only every other year, took place in Munich, Germany, November 1216. By all measurements, it was an overwhelming success. Approximately 40,000 visitors from around the world travelled to the Neue Messe, a former airport that has served as home to this important meeting for electronics production for many years. Just 32 years ago, the first Productronica took place. And this one, after a so-so year in 2007, seems to reflect a future that is bright with growing demand. In 2008, according to most market predictions from the show, we can expect healthy growth for electronics production.
At the Monday evening welcoming ceremony, Klaus Dittrich, managing director of Messe München GmbH, talked about areas of growth that showed promise emphasizing photovoltaic and EMS industries. He included that electronics is unique in at least three ways: price reductions, new materials, and the use of renewables. He challenged the audience to think of what a day without electronics would be like: no automotive electronics to control functions, no computers to promote business, no video games for entertainment, slow communications, no minimally invasive surgery equipment, and on and on.
We caught up with Volker Pape, president of the Fachverband Productronic (manufacturers of electronics manufacturing equipment) of the German Engineering Federation (VDMA) and CEO of Viscom, the established AOI manufacturer, to see what he could predict for the future at Productronica. He remains optimistic when talking about next year. In 2008, our industry is predicted to show 11% growth. "This is a figure that I can confirm in our company," says Pape. When production performance and quality improve through AOI, yield increases.
There were lots of new product introductions (NPIs), such as Siemens' Siplace X4i, at a speedy 100,000 cph; JUKI's KE-2080 high-speed flexible mounter; KIC's Explorer thermal profiler; VJ Electronix's Vertex Series-A X-ray inspection system; Essemtec's variable-zone reflow ovens; DEK's Instinctiv V9 update with faster setup print times; Henkel's Multicore LF600 lead-free solder paste, a halide-free, no-clean product; and Aegis' ERP/PLM software.
The list of new offerings just didn't stop. Companies held back new offerings to announce them at this one grand show. And to be completely truthful, four days just isn't enough time to cover it all. Look for more details and news in upcoming articles. Suffice it to say, 2008 will be a good year if the amount of introductions and the type of attendance at Productronica is any indication.
Enjoy Thanksgiving. I for one am thankful to be part of this exciting industry.
Gail Flower, editor-in-chief