-
- News
- Books
Featured Books
- smt007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current IssueComing to Terms With AI
In this issue, we examine the profound effect artificial intelligence and machine learning are having on manufacturing and business processes. We follow technology, innovation, and money as automation becomes the new key indicator of growth in our industry.
Box Build
One trend is to add box build and final assembly to your product offering. In this issue, we explore the opportunities and risks of adding system assembly to your service portfolio.
IPC APEX EXPO 2024 Pre-show
This month’s issue devotes its pages to a comprehensive preview of the IPC APEX EXPO 2024 event. Whether your role is technical or business, if you're new-to-the-industry or seasoned veteran, you'll find value throughout this program.
- Articles
- Columns
Search Console
- Links
- Events
||| MENU - smt007 Magazine
Highlights on a Rousing Virtual IPC APEX EXPO 2021
April 14, 2021 | Pete Starkey, I-Connect007Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
What a week that was! I didn’t get to endure the 11-hour flight each way, neither did I need my comfy old shoes, but it certainly was a marathon event. And real-time-plus-six-hours gave me a few late nights, but it was such a meaningful experience, and well worth the effort!
After my first clumsy attempts to navigate the IPC APEX EXPO website, I soon settled into a practised routine and became reasonably competent at finding my way around the vast array of options and an agenda running in as many as 11 parallel tracks. Thankfully, IPC has now made the content accessible on-demand so I can go back and review whatever I choose during the next 90 days.
After a welcome from IPC President and CEO Dr. John Mitchell, Programme Chair Gene Weiner did a splendid job of keeping the EMS Managers meeting and the IPC’s Raymond E. Pritchard Hall of Fame Managers Forum running smoothly. There was so much to take in.
The Managers’ Forum theme of “Managing Challenges in Periods of Transition” was relevant and appropriate, all circumstances considered, with an impressive array of top industry names discussing strategies for thriving during times of crisis. I made a special point of attending the session on vertical integration, kicked off by Alex Stepinski describing his journey, “From inventor to contractor in several steps of vertical integration,” as he looked back over the previous eight years and forward into the future. An inspirational lesson in creative and innovative problem-solving from a true industry pioneer. I took copious notes and spent a few hours distilling them down into a realistic review article.
Another inspirational event was the “Great Digital Transformation” keynote from Travis Hessman. I admit to having been a bit apprehensive, concerned that most of the content would probably go way over my head. But the way that Hessman presented the story avoided hype and technological sensation by walking through the process of transformation, with emphasis on process, from a rational and realistic perspective. He outlined the methodologies adopted by companies that had used them successfully and explained why companies who had gotten it wrong had failed in their attempted digital transformations. “Put the problems in front of the solutions, and develop processes, not disruptions!”
Maybe for reasons of personal familiarity, I was keen to attend the session presented by the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), a high-value-manufacturing technology catapult based in my hometown, Coventry, UK. MTC specialises in robotics and autonomous systems, and is recognised for developing and proving innovative manufacturing processes, with a general policy of “thinking big, starting small, and scaling fast.” It was interesting to hear MTC’s views on factory-of-the-future advancements and, in particular, the strategy for implementing IPC-CFX with legacy equipment—not everyone can afford to start with brand-new equipment—and envisage a smart factory for electronics manufacturing in a low-volume, high-mix environment.
To read this entire article, which appeared in the 2021 edition of Show & Tell Magazine, click here.
Suggested Items
iNEMI Names Grace O'Malley CTO
05/02/2024 | iNEMIThe Board of Directors of the International Electronics Manufacturing Initiative (iNEMI) has named Grace O'Malley Chief Technical Officer (CTO).
Intel Takes Next Step Toward Building Scalable Silicon-Based Quantum Processors
05/02/2024 | BUSINESS WIRENature published an Intel research paper, “Probing single electrons across 300-mm spin qubit wafers,” demonstrating state-of-the-art uniformity, fidelity and measurement statistics of spin qubits.
ZESTRON Academy Launches 2024 Advanced Packaging & Power Electronics Webinar Series
05/01/2024 | ZESTRONZESTRON, the leading global provider of high-precision cleaning products, services, and training solutions in the electronics manufacturing and semiconductor industries, proudly announces the launch of its highly anticipated webinar series on Advanced Packaging & Power Electronics, a webinar series on the latest innovations, cleaning, and corrosion challenges.
NextFlex Convenes the Hybrid Electronics Community at Binghamton University
05/01/2024 | NextFlexBinghamton University hosted the NextFlex hybrid electronics community on April 18 for a day of expert presentations, breakout sessions on technology and manufacturing topics, and networking.
HQ NextPCB of HQ Electronics Debut on the International Stage for Electronics Manufacture at IPC APEX 2024
05/01/2024 | PRNewswireHQ NextPCB of HQ Electronics, a leading Chinese-based multilayer PCB manufacturer and assembly house showcased its industrial prowess on the international stage for the first time at the IPC APEX Expo 2024.