Global Citizenship: Together for a Perfect PCB Solution
Smart Automation: Odd-form Assembly—Dedicated Insertion Equipment Matters
Nolan’s Notes: Everyone Has Their Eye on India
Dr. Thomas Marktscheffel of ASMPT Honored for his Work on Open Interfaces
March 25, 2025 | ASMPTEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
Dr. Thomas Marktscheffel, Director Product Management Software Solutions at ASMPT, was honored by the IPC at this year's IPC APEX EXPO in Anaheim, California, for his many years of commitment to the organization. The non-proprietary interface standards he helped develop form the basis for ASMPT’s intelligent factory concept.
“Especially in the age of big data, having standardized interfaces is more important than ever,” said Dr. Thomas Marktscheffel. “They are indispensable for using data across lines and locations in order to make electronics manufacturing more transparent, efficient and resilient, and to continuously improve the quality of your production.”
Basis for the intelligent factory
Dr. Marktscheffel began his professional career at Siemens AG in 1989 and has worked for ASMPT in the areas of R&D and product management software solutions since 2004. As part of his work for ASMPT, the proven software expert was involved in the development of the widely used industrial interface standards IPC-HERMES-9852 for M2M communication and IPC-2591 CFX for M2H communication, among others. Based on these interfaces and its intelligent factory concept, ASMPT has developed numerous software features, such as the Automated Program Change function of the WORKS Software Suite, which allows PCB data to travel from machine to machine via IPC-HERMES-9852 and trigger automatic downloads of new production programs when the product changes. The IPC-2591 CFX standard forms the basis for many other line- and factory-encompassing software solutions from ASMPT for intelligent automation in the areas of planning, work preparation, production, quality assurance, and production-wide material flow optimization.
Commitment to the unhindered flow of data
“Collecting and processing data throughout the factory and using it where it is needed and delivers benefits is what describes the essence of the intelligent factory strategy,” says Dr. Marktscheffel. “For ASMPT and me, this was and continues to be an important reason to consistently push the issue of interface standardization within the IPC. Fortunately, I can rely on the active support of ASMPT in this endeavor, and we will continue to work on ensuring that data can flow unhindered and in a non-proprietary manner in the Intelligent Factory so that it can be used to improve quality and efficiency.”
The IPC (Institute for Printed Circuits) is a global trade association for the electronics industry. It defines interface standards, offers training and certification, and helps electronics manufacturers to improve their competitiveness, to name just a few of its activities. The IPC also organizes the IPC APEX EXPO, one of the most important annual trade fairs and conferences for the electronics industry that brings together industry leaders, experts and companies from electronics manufacturing all over the world.
Share on:
Testimonial
"In a year when every marketing dollar mattered, I chose to keep I-Connect007 in our 2025 plan. Their commitment to high-quality, insightful content aligns with Koh Young’s values and helps readers navigate a changing industry. "
Brent Fischthal - Koh YoungSuggested Items
Building Electronics Excellence in India
09/08/2025 | Nolan Johnson, SMT007 MagazineFor over two decades, Dave Bergman has helped steer the Global Electronics Association’s work in India, from a single training course to a thriving regional operation with deep government and industry ties. In this interview, Dave explains how the group went from partnering with IPCA to opening its own office in 2010, creating India’s first domestic electronics manufacturing standard, and securing funding for dozens of Indian companies to attend U.S. trade shows.
New Podcast Episode Drop: MKS’ Atotech’s Role in Optimize the Interconnect
09/08/2025 | I-Connect007In this episode of On the Line With…, host Nolan Johnson sits down with Patrick Brooks, MKS' Atotech's Global Product Director, EL Systems, to discuss the critical role that wet processes play alongside laser systems in advancing the Optimize the InterconnectSM initiative. Brooks points to Bondfilm as a key example—a specialized coating that enables CO₂ lasers to ablate more effectively than ever before.
The Global Electronics Association Hosts Successful WorksAsia-AI and Factory of the Future Technical Seminar
09/03/2025 | Global Electronics AssociationOn August 22, 2025, the Global Electronics Association hosted the successful WorksAsia-AI and Factory of the Future Technical Seminar during the exhibition Automation Taipei 2025. The seminar brought together 81 representatives from 58 companies, focusing on the latest applications of AI in smart factories and unveiling four key directions that will drive the electronics industry’s transition toward intelligence and sustainability.
TRI's AI-Powered Inspection Solutions at SMTAI 2025
09/02/2025 | TRITest Research, Inc. (TRI), the leading provider of test and inspection systems, will be joining the SMTA International Exposition & Conference. The event will be held from October 21 – 23, 2025, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL, USA.
More Than a Competition: Instilling a Champion's Skill in IPC Masters China 2025
09/01/2025 | Evelyn Cui, Global Electronics Association—East AsiaNearly 500 elite professionals from the electronics industry, representing 18 provinces and municipalities across China, competed in the 2025 IPC Masters Competition China, March 26–28, in Pudong, Shanghai. A total of 114 contestants advanced to the practical competition after passing the IPC Standards Knowledge Competition. Sixty people competed in the Hand Soldering and Rework Competition (HSRC), 30 in the Cable and Wire Harness Assembly Competition (CWAC), and 24 in the Ball Grid Array/Bottom Termination Components (BGA/BTC) Rework Competition.