Industry 4.0 Gets Significant Boost at IPC APEX EXPO 2018

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When the IPC APEX EXPO show floor opens on Tuesday, February 27, more than 20 equipment vendors, software providers and customers from across the electronics industry will participate in an IPC Connected Factory Exchange (CFX) Showcase. The IPC CFX Showcase -- a technological demonstration operating in real time -- will deliver standardized machine data from participating exhibitors through the cloud and onto visitors’ mobile phones.

“When visitors enter the show floor or a participating exhibitor’s booth, they will scan a QR code using their phone, which will bring up a mobile device website driven by the CFX cloud server,” said Dave Bergman, IPC vice president of standards and training.

“Visitors can then observe real-time analytical reports, such as overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), unit counts and more as well as the live data stream showing actual machine activity. This is a first-of-its-kind demonstration and with no software to install, this illustrates the true nature of IoT, with IPC CFX as a one hundred percent open industry standard,” Bergman added. “We’re essentially turning the IPC APEX EXPO show floor into a factory floor!”

“The critical roadblock that has been keeping industry from accessing Industry 4.0 benefits has been the issue of reliable and meaningful data across disparate machines and devices,” said Jason Spera, co-chair of the 2-17 Connected Factory Initiative Subcommittee that is developing the IPC CFX standard, and CEO of Aegis Software. “IPC CFX is open, totally comprehensive in scope and native to the machines,” he added.

In addition to the IPC CFX Showcase, members of the 2-17 Connected Factory Initiative Subcommittee will review the current building blocks of the standard and will address new developments in how the standard enables complete digital modeling from design through manufacture with feedback paths of information from manufacturing back to design. On Wednesday, February 28, IPC will host an Industry 4.0 Buzz Session. The Buzz Session will feature short presentations, a panel discussion and opportunities for attendees to ask questions.

About IPC

IPC is a global industry association based in Bannockburn, Ill., dedicated to the competitive excellence and financial success of its 4,300-member companies which represent all facets of the electronics industry, including design, printed board manufacturing, electronics assembly and test. As a member-driven organization and leading source for industry standards, training, market research and public policy advocacy, IPC supports programs to meet the needs of an estimated $2 trillion global electronics industry. IPC maintains additional offices in Taos, N.M.; Washington, D.C.; Atlanta, Ga.; Brussels, Belgium; Stockholm, Sweden; Moscow, Russia; Bangalore and New Delhi, India; Bangkok, Thailand; and Qingdao, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Suzhou and Beijing, China. For more information, click here.