-
- News
- Books
Featured Books
- smt007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current IssueWhat's Your Sweet Spot?
Are you in a niche that’s growing or shrinking? Is it time to reassess and refocus? We spotlight companies thriving by redefining or reinforcing their niche. What are their insights?
Moving Forward With Confidence
In this issue, we focus on sales and quoting, workforce training, new IPC leadership in the U.S. and Canada, the effects of tariffs, CFX standards, and much more—all designed to provide perspective as you move through the cloud bank of today's shifting economic market.
Intelligent Test and Inspection
Are you ready to explore the cutting-edge advancements shaping the electronics manufacturing industry? The May 2025 issue of SMT007 Magazine is packed with insights, innovations, and expert perspectives that you won’t want to miss.
- Articles
- Columns
- Links
- Media kit
||| MENU - smt007 Magazine
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.
Suggested Items
I-Connect007’s Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
07/04/2025 | Marcy LaRont, I-Connect007For our industry, we have seen several bullish market announcements over the past few weeks, including one this week by IDC on the massive growth in the global server market. We’re also closely watching global trade and nearshoring. One good example of successful nearshoring is Rehm Thermal Systems, which celebrates its 10th anniversary in Mexico and the official opening of its new building in Guadalajara.
Hon Hai Education Foundation Continues to Promote Quantum Education
07/04/2025 | FoxconnHon Hai Education Foundation has long been committed to promoting forward-looking technology education in Taiwan's high schools, and held the "High School Quantum Teacher Training Camp" in Tainan City on July 1.
Incap UK Achieves JOSCAR Zero Accreditation
07/04/2025 | IncapIncap Electronics UK has been accredited under JOSCAR Zero, a new sustainability-focused extension of the defence and aerospace sector’s supplier assurance system.
Kitron Secures Contract for Components Supporting Unmanned Aerial Systems
07/04/2025 | KitronKitron has received a contract with an estimated value between EUR 4 and 8 million for the production and supply of advanced electronic components used in unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
NOTE Receives Order Worth 132 MSEK and Expands Collaboration with Customer within Security & Defense
07/04/2025 | NOTENOTE has received an order worth SEK 132 million from one of its existing customers operating within Security & Defense. NOTE thereby strengthens its long-term collaboration with the industry-leading customer.