APEX 2024 Product Preview – What’s Next Becomes Now
APEX 2024 is finally here. It’s a bit later in the year which has thrown some of us off a bit, but the industry is heading to Anaheim once again. This premier North American exhibition has not been in Anaheim since 2006. Yes, there will be discounted Disneyland tickets! And appropriately, one of the three keynotes is Paul Bailey, Former Principal Concept Technical Director for Walt Disney Imagineering, who will speak on ‘The Art of the Impossible’. This year’s APEX will host the 16th Electronics Circuit World Convention, an international PCB Symposium held once every three years.
The conference kicks off with a head-spinning number of standards committee meetings throughout the weekend. Then comes the EMS Leadership Summit on Monday; the technical program includes nine engineering tracks. It’s all described in this well organized brochure, and no doubt those who are going have already made their selections.
Aegis Software Corporation will be at booth #2129.
Aegis Software Corporation will be at booth #2129. There you can see first-hand how you can enhance your competitive advantage and accelerate digital transformation with a uniquely adaptive IIoT-based manufacturing software platform. Listen to their CEO Jason Spera explain in this pre-show interview.
Critical Manufacturing showcases MES advanced capabilities for SMT at APEX
Celebrating its 15th anniversary, Critical Manufacturing invites attendees to experience the future of MES in ASMPT SMT booth 1436 under the theme “Expect More from Your MES.” Critical Manufacturing will once again join forces with ASMPT SMT, to showcase its modern manufacturing execution systems (MES) and its crucial role for the Intelligent Factory facilitating SMT and plant-wide optimization.
“By providing seamless integration, real-time data insights, and operational optimization, MES technology empowers manufacturers to navigate the complexities of modern SMT production environments with ease,” said Dante Dominguez, Director of Sales for SMT, Noth America, at Critical Manufacturing. “We are excited to showcase our cutting-edge MES solution at APEX, demonstrating how it can revolutionize manufacturing processes and drive sustainable growth for businesses worldwide.”
MES excellence takes center stage
The electronics industry continues to bring forth unique challenges, including dynamic supply chains, fluctuating demands, slimming margins, and rapid changes in product lifecycles. In response to these challenges, Critical Manufacturing has designed a top-tier MES tailored to meet the demands of the electronics and SMT industry. It surpasses mere automation, providing comprehensive control and real-time adaptability to navigate production challenges in any circumstance.
Why MES for SMT
Critical Manufacturing MES addresses the specific SMT operation needs with out-of-the-box features for each part of the process. It optimizes SMT production by streamlining the flow of information, allowing for precise control and traceability over material serialization, solder paste application, component placement, soldering, test, and inspection processes.
Going beyond SMT lines
Critical Manufacturing MES is an integral component of the SMT and electronics manufacturing operation management (MOM) system, to boost efficiency throughout the factory. It manages the entire production process and material traceability through adaptable workflows. The MES customizes quality checks for each product, reducing costs, enhancing quality, and provides advanced analytics for issue detection and prevention, minimizing unplanned downtime to allow higher levels of overall equipment efficiency (OEE).
Modular for flexibility
The core strength of Critical Manufacturing MES lies in its adaptability. The modular architecture ensures a smooth integration into existing workflows. The MES offers diverse deployment options, including on-premises, cloud, or hybrid, empowering manufacturers to customize the MES to align with their unique requirements.
Indium Corporation, Industry Partners to Showcase Products “Live@APEX”
Live@APEX is a unique collaboration between Indium Corporation and its industry partners. The program benefits all participants, including Indium Corporation, partners, and, most importantly, the customers, who get to experience the equipment and materials in a live-action environment.
“By demonstrating Indium Corporation products on live equipment at IPC APEX, attendees get an accurate and honest depiction of the material’s performance,” said Product Development Specialist Miloš Lazić. “The program is a great embodiment of Indium Corporation’s motto, ‘From One Engineer to Another®’, and we are tremendously proud of it.”
This year’s program will highlight Indium Corporation materials, including: · CW-807 – electronics soldering cored wire · CW-818 – no-clean, high-reliability flux-cored wire · FP-500 – no-clean flux pen · Indium8.9HF – no-clean solder paste formulated for the higher processing temperatures of the electronics industry · Indium9.88HF – no-clean solder paste for use in package-on-package (PoP) applications · Indium12.8HF – jetting and microdispensing solder paste · PicoShot® – jetting paste series with exceptional jetting performance · Sn995 – low-maintenance, low-cost, Pb-free soldering alloy · TACFlux® 089HF – no-clean flux formulated for SnAgCu and SnAg solders (also compatible with Sn/Pb solder)
Indium Corporation’s leading technical experts are set to deliver and participate in a number of presentations and panel discussions throughout the technical program. Topics will include sustainability, assembly processes, and EV electronics.
Click here for an interactive schedule of all presentations taking place at IPC APEX 2024 and be sure to visit with Indium Corporation’s experts at booth 4227.
Koh Young invites electronics manufacturers to booth 2112 for live demonstrations of award-winning inspection solutions.
Solder Paste Inspection (SPI)
The 8030 Series is our SPI workhorse, and the most popular SPI solution in the market. With patented technology, we deliver trustworthy
and repeatable measurement data, which manufacturers can use to reliably optimize the print process.
Automated Optical Inspection (AOI)
The Koh Young 3D AOI Zenith Series delivers accurate inspection performance with True3D measurement
technology.
Automated Pin Inspection (API)
Built on its world-class True3D™ AOI technology, new enhancements help it break through barriers associated
with inspecting products with a mix of both Pins and SMDs.
Dispense Process Inspection (DPI)
Using Koh Young LIFT technology (Laser Interferometry for Fluid Tomography), the Neptune delivers
non-destructive 3D inspection to precisely measure and inspect fluids – wet or dry. With its Machine-Learning
algorithm, the Neptune accurately measures materials for coverage, thickness, and consistency with a user-defined threshold setting.
Process Control Software
AI-powered KSMART solutions help automate process control, while focusing on data management, analysis,
and optimization. It collects data from across the factory for defect detection, real-time optimization, enhanced
decisions, and traceability to improve production, increase quality, and lower costs by eliminating variances,
false calls, and escapes.
Process Optimization Software
The award-winning Koh Young Process Optimizer (KPO) solution is an AI-based automatic process optimizer. This
system improves the critical printer parameters to help manufacturers optimize the print and mount processes,
without the need for dedicated manufacturing process experts.
Mycronic to showcase versatile, high-productivity assembly solutions at IPC APEX EXPO 2024
Mycronic will exhibit its next-generation MYPro A40 pick-and-place solution, equipped with an all-new MX7 high-speed mounthead technology. The new platform increases top placement speeds by 48% while handling a significantly wider range of component types and sizes.
The latest breakthroughs in advanced AOI
The MYPro I series 3D AOI, the company’s latest flagship in-line inspection system, will display its Iris 3D AOI vision technology, which enables manufacturers to improve test coverage while capturing the industry’s highest-resolution images at speeds up to thirty percent faster than previous technologies.
Escape Tracker, a real-time programming assistant embedded in the MYWizard programming software, will demonstrate entirely new levels of reliability and speed in 3D AOI programming. A live demo will show how the software continuously analyzes and updates the system’s inspection library to eliminate escapes, dramatically reduce false calls, and constantly improve inspection models over time.
Zero-defect and productive printing
New for Mycronic customers, the MYPro S series is a robust, highly accurate and user-friendly range of stencil printers. True to the MYPro production philosophy, it enables the fastest possible changeovers and features all the functionalities expected from a modern screen printer. IPC APEX visitors will experience the advantages of stencil printing, combined with the MY700 Jet Printer and PI series 3D SPI, which together enable add-on printing and closed-loop solder-paste repair functionality.
Enhanced connectivity and process control
New process control solutions to be introduced at IPC APEX include an updated MYCenter Analysis pick-and-place dashboard, now featuring a component analytics function that enables faster drill-down into specific process settings for each component. This allows users to better understand and resolve the root causes of process detractors to dramatically improve first-pass yield. Regarding connectivity, the MYPro Connect software enables vertical communication with MES and ERP systems at line level, using the IPC CFX standard. It completes the horizontal connectivity brought by the Hermes protocol, allowing machine-to-machine communication down the production line.
Tailored solutions for automated electronics protection
Finally, to meet growing demand for high-precision electronics protection, Mycronic will present its suite of MYSmart coating and dispensing solutions. At IPC APEX, visitors will be able to experience versatile conformal coating and dispensing solutions and the latest valve technologies, many of which are now firmly established as the leading choices among global tier-one manufacturers.
“Wherever we can add new levels of flexibility, accuracy, advanced automation and easy usability, Mycronic continues to deliver value to its customers,” says Clemens Jargon, Sr VP High Flex Division. “At IPC APEX EXPO, we are thrilled to continue to lead the way by providing the most advanced turnkey solutions for every stage of PCB assembly.”
Welcome to Panasonic Connect at APEX 2024, Booth 2332
Panasonic Connect is changing the way work is done by developing and supporting innovative manufacturing processes around the core of circuit manufacturing technologies and computer-integrated manufacturing software. We contribute to the growth and prosperity of our customers’ businesses regardless of their operation’s mix or volume.
Designed for ultimate flexibility, Panasonic Connect SMT solutions are designed to solve your toughest business challenges. Visit us at booth #2332 to get a hands-on demonstration of some of our newest and most versatile performers which are being introduced to North America for the very first time.
SEHO to Highlight Cutting-Edge Inspection and Soldering Technology at IPC APEX Expo 2024
SEHO looks forward to welcoming visitors to booth #1034. With PowerVision, SEHO focusses on two key points in the manufacturing of THT assemblies: Continuous quality assurance and cost-efficient production processes.
SEHO PowerVision stands for fast, automated, optical inspection, and it is particularly designed for THT processes. It reliably detects typical soldering defects such as incomplete solder joints, solder bridges or solder balls. Additionally, the system is capable of reading and processing product ID’s.
The stand-alone variant of SEHO PowerVision can be flexibly integrated into each fully automated production line. Moreover, the AOI system can be directly integrated in many of SEHO’s selective soldering systems, thus providing additional benefits, particularly in terms of floor space and board handling costs.
Take a sneak-peak in further highlights at the SEHO booth:
SEHO AssemblyCheck, the latest addition to SEHO’s range of inspection systems, integrated as component placement control system in a typical workstation. THT components are often assembled manually or semi-automatically, so the risk of errors is correspondingly high.
SelectLine-C, SEHO’s modular and expandable inline selective soldering system, has been supplemented with additional modules that significantly increase the flexibility of the system and ensure higher productivity. A highlight of this machine is the award-winning SmartSplit function, which turns an already efficient system into a highly flexible and highly productive selective soldering system for high-mix-high-volume production.
The PowerWave wave soldering system offers a remarkable performance at simultaneously low investment costs. The system has been designed for medium to large production series. Complex mixed boards are just as reliably soldered as conventional through-hole assemblies – due to modern solder nozzle geometries, a flexible preheat area, and an open-ended control unit ensuring easy operation, and many functions for automated process control.
The modular construction of SEHO PowerWave offers the ideal concept for all production requirements and allows the machine to be integrated into any fully automated manufacturing line.
White Horse Laboratories Welcomes APEX Visitors to Booth #3837 to Explore Testing and Quality Control Services
Founded in 2004, White Horse Laboratories has established itself as an industry leader, expanding its operations globally with testing facilities in Cleveland, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Munich. The company’s commitment to excellence is underscored by its ISO 17025:2015 accredited Jack Kilby Testing Centre in Cleveland, offering a full spectrum of AS6081 required test methods, alongside advanced electrical testing, lifecycle & reliability testing, and failure analysis.
The Cleveland center specializes in a range of critical testing services tailored to the electronics industry, including:
- Documentation and packaging inspection
- Detailed visual inspection
- X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and x-ray analysis
- Heated solvent testing
- Decapsulation and die analysis
- Solderability testing
- Cross-section analysis
- Comprehensive electrical testing, covering a wide temperature range
In addition to these advanced analytics, White Horse Laboratories offers component programming, packaging, and logistics services, making it a one-stop solution for the electronics manufacturing sector.
“We are excited to showcase our global footprint and the extensive testing capabilities of our Jack Kilby Testing Centre in Cleveland,” said Mark Rinehart, Founder of White Horse Laboratories. “Our participation in the IPC APEX EXPO underscores our dedication to providing the electronics industry with the highest standards of quality control and assurance.”
Visit White Horse Laboratories at Booth #3837 to discover how its global offerings can enhance your electronics manufacturing projects.
