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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.
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I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
09/05/2025 | Andy Shaughnessy, I-Connect007It’s almost fall here in Atlanta, and that means that the temperature is finally dropping. And it quit raining! It’s been raining since March, and I’m so over it, as the social influencers say. Last night we grilled out on the deck, and it wasn’t hot, and we didn’t get rained on. Life is good. It was a busy week in the industry. In this installment of my must-reads, we say goodbye to Walt Custer, the man who made PCB data points interesting for the rest of us.
HDI PCB Market Poised for Explosive Growth, Projected to Hit $34.23 Billion by 2032
09/04/2025 | Globe NewswireAccording to Coherent Market Insights (CMI), the global HDI PCB market size is projected to expand at a CAGR of 8.3% over the forecast period, reaching USD 19.59 Bn in 2025 and USD 34.23 Bn by 2032.
Kris Moyer Discusses His Emerging Design Technologies Class
09/04/2025 | Marcy LaRont, I-Connect007Kris Moyer, a design instructor for the Global Electronics Association, will be teaching his advanced PCB design class this fall. If you’re ready to level up your design education, you won’t want to miss this interview. The PCB Design for Emerging Design Technologies course is designed to provide the skills necessary to create PCB/PBA designs that require cutting-edge emerging design technologies and comply with all necessary IPC standards, including new standards being developed in this area.
NOTE Appoints Bahare Mackinovski Chief Sales and Marketing Officer
09/04/2025 | NOTEAs part of NOTE’s strategic focus on growth and customer value, the company is now strengthening its executive management team by appointing Bahare Mackinovski as Chief Sales and Marketing Officer.
UHDI Fundamentals: UHDI Technology and Industry 4.0
09/03/2025 | Anaya Vardya, American Standard CircuitsUltra high density interconnect (UHDI) technology is rapidly transforming how smart systems are designed and deployed in the context of Industry 4.0. With its capacity to support highly miniaturized, high-performance, and densely packed electronics, UHDI is a critical enabler of the smart, connected, and automated industrial future. Here, I’ll explore the synergy between UHDI and Industry 4.0 technologies, highlighting applications, benefits, and future directions.