Punching Out: M&A North American PCB and EMS Deals for the First Half of 2025
The Chemical Connection: Sales Organization from a Capital Equipment Perspective
Marcy’s Musings: From Pitch to PO—The Sales Stack
IPC-CFX, 2.0: Expanding the Digital Backbone of Electronics Manufacturing
May 21, 2025 | Chris Jorgensen, IPCEstimated reading time: 1 minute
(Editor’s note: Part one of a two-part series. Read part two in the June 2025 issue of SMT007 Magazine.)
Since its initial release in March 2019, IPC Connected Factory Exchange (CFX), the global standard for plug-and-play, machine-to-machine, and machine-to-system communication serving as the backbone for digital manufacturing, has seen continuous enhancement through multiple version updates. In 2024, the standard matured as adoption spread, with a global committee of EMS, OEM, machine vendors, and software solution providers twice releasing version updates to build on the standard's base framework and enhance its usability in industry.
In February 2025, IPC released CFX, Version 2.0. This full version update, documented in IPC-2591, Connected Factory Exchange, Version 2.0, provides several updates or expansion to support a broader range of shop floor operations. It also includes some significant updates to account for legacy support, AGV and AMR technologies deployed in a CFX environment, and two additional equipment types—all significant milestones in the standard's evolution.
Every update is industry-driven, ensuring that CFX addresses real-world manufacturing needs. The task group works collaboratively to define new capabilities, add device categories, and improve message sets through structured review and consensus. In addition to their constant energy to update this forward-thinking architecture, the committee also ensures backward compatibility with each version update. These core design principles allow for seamless interoperability between different CFX SDK versions, so a piece of equipment running on CFX Version 1.3 will connect to a machine running on any other CFX SDK version
Continue reading this article in the May 2025 issue of SMT007 Magazine.
Share on:
Testimonial
"Our marketing partnership with I-Connect007 is already delivering. Just a day after our press release went live, we received a direct inquiry about our updated products!"
Rachael Temple - AlltematedSuggested Items
IPC-CFX, 2.0: How to Use the QPL Effectively
07/02/2025 | Chris Jorgensen, Global Electronics AssociationIn part one of this series, we discussed the new features in CFX Version 2.0 and their implications for improved inter-machine communication. But what about bringing this new functionality to the shop floor? The IPC-CFX-2591 QPL is a powerful technical resource for manufacturers seeking CFX-enabled equipment. The Qualified Product List (QPL) helps streamline equipment selection by listing models verified for CFX compliance through a robust third-party virtual qualification process.
Moving Forward With Confidence: SMT007 Magazine June 2025
06/02/2025 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamAre you as prepared to close a sale as you could be? IPC’s monthly EMS reports showed that EMS revenue increased in March and April. With a book-to-bill ratio of 1.41, things are moving fast. That said, EMS shipments in April were down 1.4%, and bookings in April decreased by 10% year over year. In the June 2025 issue of SMT007 Magazine, we discuss best practices to keep your business thriving.
NASA Tests Ultralight Antennas to Benefit Future National Airspace
04/28/2025 | NASANASA engineers are using one of the world’s lightest solid materials to construct an antenna that could be embedded into the skin of an aircraft, creating a more aerodynamic and reliable communication solution for drones and other future air transportation options.
IPC Releases Version 2.0 of IPC-2591, Connected Factory Exchange, with Expanded Device Coverage and Smarter Data
04/23/2025 | IPCIPC announces the release of IPC-2591, Connected Factory Exchange (CFX), Version 2.0, the global standard for plug-and-play, machine-to-machine, and machine-to-system communication for digital manufacturing.
MVTec HALCON Version Includes Deep Learning-Based Technology for Robust Bin Picking
04/15/2025 | MVTecMVTec Software GmbH, a leading global manufacturer of machine vision software, is launching the new version of MVTec HALCON on May 27, 2025. Version 25.05 of the standard machine vision software includes numerous improvements as well as a new technology that combines deep learning algorithms with classic methods.