Trouble in Your Tank: Understanding Interconnect Defects, Part 1
It’s Only Common Sense: Marketing Isn’t Fluff, It’s Ammunition
Driving Innovation: Mechanical and Optical Processes During Rigid-flex Production
Industry Advances in a New Era at IPC APEX EXPO 2023
February 8, 2023 | IPCEstimated reading time: 3 minutes
From the show floor – where 375 exhibitors displayed a multitude of high-tech machinery and in some cases artificial intelligence – including cutting-edge assembly, testing and inspection equipment, software automation, laser systems, additive manufacturing and factory of the future technologies, to dozens of technical conference sessions and PD courses covering such hot-topic tracks as smart factories, PCB fabrication and materials and high-density interconnects, IPC APEX EXPO 2023 was fueled by the possibilities of new advances in electronics manufacturing.
2023 ushered in a re-invigorated group of attendees and exhibitor personnel, drawing in a total number of 6,901 participants.
In keeping with the event’s theme, “Advance in a New Era,” the IPC APEX EXPO Technical Program Committee built a strong program with five tracks, 28 sessions and 104 papers, with peer-reviewed content from 18 countries, detailing original research and innovations from industry experts around the world. “From attendees, I was pleased to hear accolades on technical program offerings, many stating that it was the best conference in years – attendance was at an all-time high in more than a decade,” said IPC President and CEO John W. Mitchell. “The paper presenters, international subject matter experts, eagerly shared their knowledge and expertise and provided attendees with quality technical content not found or presented anywhere else. We are very proud of the technical conference and set the bar high for paper submissions. New this year were two special technical sessions, one on advanced packaging presented by IPC’s Chief Technical Officer Matt Kelly and another on e-Mobility lead by Brian O’Leary, Indium and Jason Schwartz, KYZEN. Both special sessions drew capacity crowds and earned high marks from attendees for their thoroughness of content.” Mitchell added.
More than 100 standards development committees and task groups made significant progress on new and revised documents covering such topics as design, materials, board fabrication, cleaning, coating, assembly, cables and harnesses, printed electronics, connected factory, e-textiles, and more. “Task group meetings began on the weekend prior to official start of the show, and what a weekend it was during back-to-back full-day sessions! With a record crowd of 175 participants, the 5-22a and 7-31b task groups combined their meetings to work on comment resolution for new revisions of J-STD-001 and IPC-A-610,” said Teresa Rowe, IPC senior director, assembly and standards technology.
From survey responses, the APEX EXPO 2023 experience was resoundingly positive for exhibitors. “IPC APEX 2023 was a big hit for us – the best show in years! Our booth was consistently packed with every demo station in use by customers,” said Davina McDonnell, global marketing manager, Cogiscan. “Our team had meaningful and productive conversations with lots of new contacts and we all left the show energized and excited about what’s in store for the rest of the year. This was the best IPC APEX EXPO we have participated in,” McDonnell added.
Added John Lee, vice president of marketing and brand strategy, Insulectro, “I extend my congratulations to IPC for a superb IPC APEX EXPO 2023. I applaud the association on its continued drive to improve, enhance, and spotlight things that matter to our industry. Insulectro had a super experience as well — our best exhibiting experience ever!”
Summing up IPC APEX EXPO 2023, Mitchell added, “IPC APEX EPXO is a gathering place for the present and future of electronics, enabling all of us to connect in remarkable ways. We at IPC are profoundly grateful to an industry that has encouraged and supported us in producing IPC APEX EXPO. We never lose sight of the fact that we could not host this event without the dedicated volunteers who share their time, their expertise, and their enthusiasm with all of us. Though IPC APEX EXPO 2023 is in our rear-view mirror, our dedicated events, education, technical, membership, and marketing and sales teams are already preparing for next year’s event which will take place April 6-11, 2024, in Anaheim, California.”
Share on:
Testimonial
"The I-Connect007 team is outstanding—kind, responsive, and a true marketing partner. Their design team created fresh, eye-catching ads, and their editorial support polished our content to let our brand shine. Thank you all! "
Sweeney Ng - CEE PCBSuggested Items
Target Condition: Distribution of Power—Denounce the Ounce
11/05/2025 | Kelly Dack -- Column: Target ConditionHave you ever wondered why the PCB design segment uses ounces to describe copper thickness? There’s a story behind all of this—a story that’s old, dusty, and more than a little absurd. (Note that I didn’t add “Like many of us.”) Legend has it that back in the days of copper tinkers and roofing tradesmen, the standard was set when a craftsman hammered out a sheet of copper until it weighed one ounce, when its area conveniently matched the square of the king’s foot.
Life Is a Highway: A Family of 8 Turned the Entire U.S. Into a Learning and Working Environment
11/04/2025 | Steven Bowles, Lockheed MartinIt’s 6:45 a.m. in a modern A-frame cabin tucked into the misty edges of the Cascade Range in Arlington, Washington. I’ve just made a quick Nespresso, checked my calendar of virtual meetings, and verified the Airbnb’s Wi-Fi speed is holding steady. In the next room, my wife Lynsey corrals our six kids into breakfast while planning a day trip to Seattle’s Children’s Museum. By 7:30, I’m camera-ready in a makeshift office nook, leading a discussion on HDI PCB design for an IPC standards committee. After a busy day, our Bowles crew, ranging in age from 1 to 10 years old, is hands-on with activities and exhibits in the museum.
TTM Technologies Receives Two Awards from the Global Electronics Association at the 2025 IPC CEMAC Conference
11/03/2025 | Globe NewswireTTM Technologies, Inc. announced that two of its team members received prestigious Asia Steering Committee Outstanding Service Awards from the Global Electronics Association (formerly named IPC connecting global electronics industry) at the 2025 IPC CEMAC Electronics Manufacturing Annual Conference in Shanghai.
TTCI Brings Hands-On Test Engineering and IPC Training Expertise to PCB Carolina 2025
10/31/2025 | The Test Connection Inc.The Test Connection Inc. (TTCI), a trusted provider of electronic test and manufacturing solutions, and The Training Connection LLC (TTC-LLC) will exhibit at PCB Carolina on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at the McKimmon Center at NC State University in Raleigh, North Carolina. Attendees can visit Table 4 to say hello to Bert Horner and Bill Graver, and learn more about their test engineering services and technical training programs.
The Training Connection Continues to Grow with Addition of Veteran IPC Trainer Bill Graver
10/30/2025 | The Training Connection LLCThe Training Connection, LLC (TTC-LLC), a premier provider of test engineering and development training, is proud to announce the addition of Bill Graver to its growing team of industry experts. A respected professional with more than 35 years in electronics manufacturing, Bill joins as an IPC Master Trainer, bringing a wealth of hands-on experience in PCB testing, failure analysis, and process improvement.