-
- News
- Books
Featured Books
- pcb007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current IssueDon’t Just Survive, Thrive
If we are to be relevant and prosper during these next critical decades in electronics, we must do more than survive. As an industry, we can and must thrive. In this issue, our contributors explore these concepts meant to help you take your business to the next level.
Material Matters
Materials management is nuanced, multifaceted, and requires a holistic systems approach for business success. When building high mix, low volume, and high technology, managing materials and overall cost containment are even greater challenges.
Additive Manufacturing
In this month’s issue, we explore additive manufacturing technology for the PCB fabricator: where it stands today, the true benefits, and where it seems to be headed.
- Articles
- Columns
Search Console
- Links
- Events
||| MENU - pcb007 Magazine
What’s Next Becomes Now at IPC APEX EXPO 2024
April 22, 2024 | IPCEstimated reading time: 3 minutes
From revolutionary advancements in artificial intelligence, augmented reality and the latest innovations in capital equipment on the show floor to a heightened learner experience through the 16th Electronic Circuits World Convention (ECWC16) technical conference, IPC APEX EXPO 2024 provided education, professional development and numerous networking opportunities, for 3,723 attendees from 57 countries.
Four hundred twelve (412) exhibitors engaged in three days of business development, generating 22,552 qualified sales leads on 138,900 net square feet of Anaheim Convention Center show floor space. IPC APEX EXPO attracted 7,245 total visitors including attendees and exhibitor personnel, a 5.1 percent increase from 2023.
In keeping with the event’s theme, “What’s Next Becomes Now,” the IPC APEX EXPO Technical Program Committee built a strong ECWC16 technical conference program with nine topic tracks, 26 sessions and 84 papers, with peer-reviewed content from 14 countries, detailing original research and innovations from industry experts around the world. “From attendees, I received positive feedback on the quality of technical program offerings, many stating that sessions covering sustainability, next generation packaging and EV electronics were welcome additions,” 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,” Mitchell added.
Commenting on his attendee experience, Michael Allen, Textron Systems (AAI) commented, “This was my second consecutive visit to IPC APEX EXPO. With this year’s visit, I was able to leverage last year’s experiences into a more fruitful one. My colleague and I met and networked with many new suppliers and learned about great new technologies. We also connected with existing suppliers to further strengthen those relationships. We find that attending IPC APEX EXPO is extremely valuable in terms of career development, company process improvement and technology development.”
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, microvia reliability, assembly, cleaning, coating, advanced packaging and materials declaration. “There was a standards development activity “first” at this year’s show when the IC substrates working group welcomed leadership from China for its first international meeting of the group developing IPC-6921, Requirements and Acceptance Specification for Organic IC Substrates,” said Teresa Rowe, IPC senior director, assembly and standards technology.
From survey responses, the exhibitor experience at APEX EXPO 2024 was positive. “As an IPC member and IPC APEX EXPO exhibitor, this year’s show exceeded our expectations,” said Robert Ferguson, CEO, SSI. “The event featured a unique blend of technical conferences, professional development, standards development meetings along with a manufacturing equipment exposition that is second to none. Well done to Team IPC! We’re already looking forward to next year,” added Ferguson.
Joe Clure, Head of Application/Demo Center, Kurtz Ersa Inc. offered, “Something that we found very encouraging is that the content of the conversations from the attendees was much more focused. It was obvious that there had been a good deal of research done before they traveled to the show, so they were able to identify the key items of interest and ask much more specific questions about those topics. And as a result of their preparedness, the quality of our leads was so strong that the show was very successful for us.”
Summing up IPC APEX EXPO 2024, Mitchell added, “We at IPC are profoundly grateful to an industry that has encouraged and supported us in producing this event. We never lose sight of the fact that we could not host IPC APEX EXPO without the dedicated volunteers and industry. We’re already looking forward to and planning next year’s event, marked by IPC APEX EXPO 25th anniversary.”
In 2025, IPC APEX EXPO will return to the Anaheim Convention Center, March 15-20. For more information on IPC APEX EXPO 2025, visit www.ipcapexexpo.org.
Suggested Items
Enhance Your Electronics Expertise Through IPC Courses in August
07/25/2024 | Corey Lynn, IPCAs the global leader in standards, training, and certification for the electronics industry, IPC is pleased to announce an array of upcoming online instructor-led courses this August. These courses are designed to equip professionals with the latest skills and knowledge required to excel in the ever-evolving field of electronics manufacturing and design. Whether you want to deepen your expertise in PCB design and manufacturing, understand the intricacies of intermetallic compounds, or learn about counterfeit part mitigation, IPC has a course tailored for you.
The Knowledge Base: The Value of Industry Certifications
07/24/2024 | Mike Konrad -- Column: The Knowledge BaseIndustry certifications have become increasingly significant in the modern job market, offering a range of benefits to both individuals and employers. These certifications serve as formal recognitions of expertise and proficiency in specific areas, validating a person's skills and knowledge. In the context of the electronics assembly industry, certifications are particularly valuable, given the technical nature of the work and the rapid advancements in technology.
Tom Edman Leads IPC Board of Directors
07/17/2024 | Marcy LaRont, PCB007 MagazineIPC elected several new board members at IPC APEX EXPO in April, including new Board Chair Tom Edman, CEO of TTM, who assumes the role from Bob Neves, CTO and chair of Microtek Laboratories. Tom and TTM have long been active in many facets of IPC. I caught up with Tom and asked him about his new board appointment, IPC, and the industry he serves. He emphasizes IPC’s work in standards and advocacy as especially important for our industry.
Getting Clear About Certification With Charlie Capers
07/17/2024 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamWalk through the entrance at Zentech Dallas and you’ll see a wall of certification plaques prominently displayed. Beyond being impressive and a point of pride, these certifications tell a story to potential customers: This company is ready to do business. Charlie Capers, former vice president and general manager, shares his insights on quantifying the ROI of certifications. You may not see it on paper, but it’s definitely there. He also talks about his expectations for new hires and shares a case study about the importance of collaborating with your PCB designers.
Winners of 2024 IPC Masters Competition China Announced
07/17/2024 | IPCFrom July 8-10, the 2024 IPC Masters Competition China was successfully held in Pudong, Shanghai. This year’s competition, was the largest in the history of the Greater China region, bringing nearly 400 electronics industry elites from 18 provinces and municipalities.