Beyond the Board: Early Engagement Means Faster Prototyping for Defense Programs
Defense Speak Interpreted: The Autonomous Plane Battle—Skyborg Vs. Loyal Wingman
American Made Advocacy: Congress Back from Break With Work To Do
IPC Advanced Packaging Symposium: An Urgent Need to Support Global Efforts
October 13, 2022 | Nolan Johnson, I-Connect007Estimated reading time: 1 minute
After two days of presentations, panel discussions, and impromptu hallway conversation at the IPC Advanced Packaging Symposium, one thing became clear: There is an urgency to support advanced packaging in all regions across the globe.
If the discussion on the opening day established the nature of the capabilities gap that the U.S. and Europe are facing in advanced packaging, the agenda on the second day made it clear just how big the gap is, both strategically and economically. Significant investment is needed.
For example, during the panel discussion with representatives from companies such as Calumet, TTM, and GreenSource Fabrication, it was suggested that an advanced packaging facility will require two orders of magnitude more cleanroom area than a current traditional PCB fab, and that it will likely cost a minimum of times of a traditional PCB fab to construct. A greenfield would be the best approach.
One thing was crystal clear from the presentations and hallway conversations: Advocacy groups (IPC, PCBAA and USPAE) have made real headway with legislators. In his closing remarks, IPC Chief Technologist Matt Kelly said that legislation has been adopting industry language as things move forward. His implication was that legislators and their staff are learning enough from the advocates to begin to understand the issues and use the appropriate terminology.
The symposium, which ran from Oct. 11–12 in Washington, D.C., concluded with what seemed to be a great deal of expanded perspective for those who attended. I think the program succeeded in exposing the urgency and the magnitude of the need to support advanced packaging in all regions of the globe. What needs to happen next is ongoing work to focus the efforts, educate manufacturers and legislators, use government funding wisely, and to look at this as an ongoing process for as much as 10 years.
Share on:
Testimonial
"We’re proud to call I-Connect007 a trusted partner. Their innovative approach and industry insight made our podcast collaboration a success by connecting us with the right audience and delivering real results."
Julia McCaffrey - NCAB GroupSuggested Items
Knocking Down the Bone Pile: Revamp Your Components with BGA Reballing
10/14/2025 | Nash Bell -- Column: Knocking Down the Bone PileBall grid array (BGA) components evolved from pin grid array (PGA) devices, carrying over many of the same electrical benefits while introducing a more compact and efficient interconnect format. Instead of discrete leads, BGAs rely on solder balls on the underside of the package to connect to the PCB. In some advanced designs, solder balls are on both the PCB and the BGA package. In stacked configurations, such as package-on-package (PoP), these solder balls also interconnect multiple packages, enabling higher functionality in a smaller footprint.
New Course Presents a Comprehensive Guide to IPC Standards
10/10/2025 | Marcy LaRont, I-Connect007Francisco Fourcade, electronics technology standards manager for the Global Electronics Association, has spent years helping companies understand and implement the standards that keep the electronics manufacturing industry moving forward. In this interview, he shares updates on ongoing standards development efforts and previews a new course, "IPC Standards: A Guide for the Electronics Industry,” which starts Oct. 14.
North American EMS Industry Shipments Down 1.4% in August
10/02/2025 | Global Electronics AssociationThe Global Electronics Association announced the August 2025 findings from its North American Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) Statistical Program. The book-to-bill ratio stands at 1.26.
North American PCB Industry Sales Up 12.8% in August
10/02/2025 | Global Electronics AssociationThe Global Electronics Association announced the August 2025 findings from its North American Printed Circuit Board (PCB) Statistical Program. The book-to-bill ratio stands at 0.98.
Industry Leaders Shape a Sustainable Future at 2025 IPC CEMAC Electronics Manufacturing Annual Conference
09/30/2025 | Global Electronics AssociationThe 2025 IPC CEMAC Electronics Manufacturing Annual Conference, co-hosted by the Global Electronics Association and the Shanghai Pudong Association for Quality and Technology, successfully concluded on September 26 in Shanghai.