Frank Mullany takes EMSNOW’s Eric Miscoll on a fascinating journey into the future of electronics manufacturing as iNEMI’s Roadmaps Director. While most industry professionals focus on solving today’s problems, Frank has the unique perspective of looking 3-5 years ahead—and what he sees coming is both challenging and exciting.
The conversation reveals how miniaturization continues to push technological boundaries, with future components potentially featuring 10,000 pins connecting to boards. This extreme densification creates unprecedented warpage issues and connection challenges that will require innovative solutions. Simultaneously, manufacturers face a new complexity: heterogeneous integration combining traditional electronics with MEMS components and optical systems in ever-smaller packages.
Board assembly—a long-established discipline—stands at a turning point as sustainability concerns emerge around PFAS materials in conformal coatings and energy consumption in reflow ovens. These environmental considerations add another layer of complexity to already difficult technical challenges, forcing the industry to rethink fundamental processes.
Perhaps most interesting is Mullaney’s insight into the EMS/OEM relationship moving forward. While EMS companies face substantial capital investments to handle increasingly advanced technologies, they maintain a crucial advantage: their organizational culture is built around managing high-mix, low-volume manufacturing with diverse supply chains—something OSAT providers struggle with. As Frank wisely notes, “culture eats strategy, and particularly technology strategy, for lunch.”
The roadmapping process itself reflects a refreshing collaborative approach in the industry. Rather than competing with other roadmapping organizations, iNEMI is creating guides that direct professionals to the best available content across multiple sources. This cooperative model recognizes that the same small pool of experts contributes to various roadmaps, making collaboration the most efficient path forward. Curious about where electronics manufacturing is headed?
Visit inemi.org to explore their latest roadmap sections and contribute your expertise to this vital industry resource.
EMS@C-Level Live at APEX is sponsored by global inspection leaders Koh Young (https://www.kohyoung.com) and Creative Electron (https://creativeelectron.com)
