Global Citizenship: What I’ve Learned About the American PCB Business
Global Sourcing Spotlight: The Best Products to Buy Offshore Through Global Sourcing
Nolan's Notes: The Rise (and Risk) of Data
IPC Reveals Growing Industry Support for the CFX Initiative
April 6, 2017 | IPCEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
IPC – Association Connecting Electronics Industries is proud to announce the growing involvement of the Connected Factory Exchange (CFX). The 2-17 Connected Factory Initiative Subcommittee is comprised of representatives of the electronic industry’s leading manufacturers, machine, device, sensor and software companies.
The Connected Factory Initiative is growing rapidly with nearly 90 members currently participating in the committee. There are 6 software vendors, 12 tier one EMS and OEM manufacturers, and 37 machine and device vendors. Device vendor involvement extends the reach of CFX even into the barcode scanners, materials handling equipment, and sensors within the factory.
Together, with such strong involvement and collaboration of the industry, and support of IPC, the committee’s work is leading to the creation of a modern, Internet of Things based method for creating factory data exchange in an elegant, cost effective, open, and free manner.
“Great collaboration and support from various entities to drive CFX, and the progress made at IPC APEX EXPO 2017 is going to be one giant leap in the march towards Industry 4.0 for the PCBA/Electronics Product ecosystem,” said 2-17 subcommittee co-chair Mahi Duggirala, Director, Enterprise Solutions, flex. This collaboration is yielding great results. At IPC APEX EXPO 2017, the committee demonstrated its strong belief that consensus and technical perspective sharing among a full cross section of the industry is critical to future adoption and success of CFX. Despite a successful vote on the transport technology or CFX, a task group was reopened to deepen the technical analysis. Thus, the final transport is within a week of adoption.
An additional task group has begun work on the unprecedented CFX data model, accepted as the approach to be taken with near unanimity at IPC APEX EXPO. This is being called the ‘Lego Brick’ approach because it models the data emerging from a type of device or machine or system not in the machine-type monolithic manner of the past, but as a collection of structured ‘capabilities’ that are joined together to establish a full and yet extensible definition for an entire system or machine---even ones that are completely custom machines and machines that are ‘hybrid’ in nature such as printers with inspection systems within them. Such a data model is expected to speed implementation for the machine vendors, and ensure CFX proliferation into devices and machines that are not even yet on the drawing board of R&D labs.
For more information on this committee and the developing standard, click here.
Share on:
Suggested Items
IPC Hall of Fame Spotlight Series: Highlighting Patty Goldman
11/22/2024 | Dan Feinberg, I-Connect007In my first article of this special series, I wrote a synopsis of the IPC Raymond E. Pritchard Hall of Fame (HOF) Award, along with a commentary on its first few members, particularly Pritchard. Over the years, IPC members who have contributed significantly to IPC and our industry have been awarded this high honor and recognition. Though many early HOF members have passed away and are unknown to today’s IPC membership, their contributions still resonate. Over the coming months, I look forward to researching and reporting on IPC Hall of Fame members and their contributions. This month, I highlight Patty Goldman.
Winners of IPC Hand Soldering World Championship at electronica 2024 Announced
11/21/2024 | IPCIPC hosted its Hand Soldering World Championship in Munich, Germany, at electronica on 14-15 November 2024, welcoming 14 competitors from 13 companies and 12 countries worldwide. Skilled contestants competed to build an electronics assembly in accordance with IPC-A-610 Class 3 criteria, and were judged on the functionality of the assembly, compliance with the assembly process and overall product quality. The contestants were allowed a maximum of 60 minutes to complete the assembly.
IPC Issues Clarion Call for EU to Reclaim Leadership in Electronics Manufacturing
11/21/2024 | IPCIPC released a synopsis of its recent white paper, Securing the European Union’s Electronics Ecosystem. This condensed document presents a comprehensive overview of the current challenges in Europe’s electronics manufacturing industry and shares actionable steps to help the EU achieve a stronger, more autonomous ecosystem.
Enjoy the Journey: PCB Design Instructor Kris Moyer on His Sustainable Lifestyle
11/19/2024 | Michelle Te, IPC CommunityWhen I contacted IPC design instructor Kris Moyer to discuss his sustainable lifestyle, he responded to my text with a call. "I'm calling you from about 8,000 feet, sitting at the foot of Mammoth Lakes," he told me. “My friends and I are about to get in the pool for the afternoon." Kris can do this because he actually lives full-time in his travel-trailer at this campground. He's now a permanent camper, taking him anywhere the winds blow—and where there's strong internet service—so he can teach his PCB design classes, offer expert interviews, and live off the land.
IPC Celebrates National Apprenticeship Week with a Focus on Electronics Manufacturing Excellence
11/19/2024 | IPCIPC, a leading global electronics industry association and source for industry standards, training and advocacy, is proud to announce its participation in National Apprenticeship Week, scheduled for November 17-23, 2024.