American Made Advocacy: Lobbying Congress Supports the Supply Chain
Defense Speak Interpreted: Is There Still a CHIPS Act?
Beyond the Board: Empowering the Next Generation of Tech Innovators in Electronics
In-mold Electronics: The Convergence of Innovative Materials and Manufacturing Techniques
August 7, 2024 | Linda Stepanich, IPCEstimated reading time: 1 minute
Paavo Niskala, a noted expert in in-mold electronics (IME) at TactoTek, recognized the need for an industry-wide standard when one of his automotive OEM clients asked him how to test a prototype TactoTek had developed. That question led to the creation of the first-ever IPC standard of this type, IPC-8401, Guidelines for In-Mold Electronics, to be released later this year.
“When the customer asked me how to test the part, which is a combination of mechanics and electronics, I realized that a standard for IME does not exist, and that sparked the idea that we should do something,” Paavo says. “Later on, the French plastronics network had the same idea. Our proposal and the French proposal led to the formation of the IPC 3D Plastronics Steering Group. Our first face-to-face meeting was in Lyon, France, in April 2022.”
IME technology merges printed electronics, surface mount (SMT) components, and injection molding using mass-production processes, materials, and components. IME parts are structural electronics characterized by their lightweight, seamless integration. This technology appeals to industries such as automotive or aerospace because it reliably enhances the functionality of surfaces in illuminating spaces, such as door panels, center consoles, and front grill emblems. Combining printed electronics, SMT components, and injection molding is an ideal option for mass production due to the simplicity of both processes.
The automotive industry has driven the development of IME because it significantly reduces the cost, weight, waste, and energy required to produce vehicle interior parts. Rather than using a PCB in a plastic molding with features interacting with PCB sensors, IME components are integrated directly into the plastic molding, making the manufacturing process more streamlined, sustainable, and efficient.
“There's a big market pool for IME, especially in the automotive industry, which is looking for sustainable smart structures,” Paavo says of the new technology's appeal. “They want to build lighting on a 3D surface within the vehicle, whether it's an interior or exterior application. For example, automobiles are full of plastic parts. With IME technology, you can make those thin plastic parts smart and build a lighting application you cannot build with conventional electronics.”
To learn more about the standards being developed for in-mold electronics, read the rest of this article in the Summer 2024 issue of IPC Community.
Share on:
Suggested Items
Living His Dream: IPC EAO Course Leads Thejas K to Role as Quality Engineer
05/30/2025 | Michelle Te, IPC CommunityIt’s not often that a child wants to follow in the footsteps of their parents’ career. But Thejas K, a 22-year-old from Mysuru, India, whose mother Padmavathi was an EMS operator for nearly 20 years, is now an associate engineer in the quality department at Cyient DLM where PCB assemblies are manufactured for aerospace and defense.
GTSMT SMT Production Lines are Transforming Modern Electronics Manufacturing
05/29/2025 | EINPresswire.comGTSMT, a prominent leader in the Surface-Mount Technology (SMT) sector, announced the introduction of cutting-edge innovations designed to tackle the evolving challenges facing the global electronics manufacturing industry.
IPC Applauds Leadership of Reps. Moore and Krishnamoorthi on PCB Manufacturing Bill
05/28/2025 | IPCIPC, the global electronics association serving more than 1,400 U.S. companies and over 3,200 worldwide, strongly supports the bipartisan reintroduction on May 28 of the Protecting Circuit Boards and Substrates (PCBS) Act in the 119th Congress.
Smart Automation: AI—Revolutionizing Inspection in Electronics Manufacturing
05/27/2025 | Josh Casper -- Column: Smart AutomationArtificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly becoming a staple in our personal and professional lives. In electronics manufacturing, integrating AI to combat common inefficiencies and to contextualize data will open new doors into how we supplement our traditional processes. In some specific areas of the electronics manufacturing process, integration of AI on the factory floor is already having a tremendous effect. One such area is PCBA inspection, particularly 3D automated optical inspection (AOI) systems.
Indium Promotes O’Leary to Director of Global Accounts
05/27/2025 | Indium CorporationIndium Corporation, a leading materials refiner, smelter, manufacturer, and supplier to electronics, semiconductor, thin-film, and thermal management industries, announces the promotion of Brian O’Leary to Director of Global Accounts.