Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1197000
8 SMT007 MAGAZINE I JANUARY 2020 Nolan's Notes by Nolan Johnson, I-CONNECT007 IPC APEX EXPO 2020 Preview Welcome to the start of 2020 and the launch of the third decade of the 21 st century! For those of us senior enough to have been in this busi- ness at the change of the millennium, it's hard not to be amazed how deep we are into the next century. However, youngsters just join- ing the industry were born at the turn of the century. Emerging engineers and technicians see the 20th century as ancient history, as they should. This is our IPC APEX EXPO preview issue. You will find both the history, the present, and the future of the electronics manufacturing industry today. IPC APEX EXPO is 20 years old this year, too, so the event's history is a 21st- century story. This year, in addition to the extensive techni- cal conference, networking opportunities and events, and the IPC APEX EXPO exhibition, IPC's ongoing work to involve high school youth in the industry will be even more appar- ent on the show floor through the IPC STEM Outreach Program. I-Connect007 is proud to be a sponsor of this program at IPC APEX EXPO 2020. Kicking off this magazine is a series of video tours from Mycronic from productronica 2019. Next, we feature a piece covering details of how IPC is engaging STEM students, including quotes from students, teachers, and members of IPC, as well as what the IPC Government Relations Team has planned for IPC APEX EXPO. IPC's David Bergman unpacks myths about CFX in a game of "True or False: CFX Edition," and Barry Matties interviews Phil Carmichael to gain his perspective on IPC Asia's continued growth. Then, I share my conversation with Molex on connectors and successful manu- facturing, followed by an interview with Gra- ham Naisbitt, who offers an update of clean- ing standards and committees. Chris Jorgensen also provides a preview of what attendees can expect regarding CFX at IPC APEX EXPO. In addition, you will find columns from our regular contributors, including Dr. Jennie Hwang, Eric Camden, Alfred Macha, and Bob Wettermann. We hope to see you in sunny San Diego for IPC APEX EXPO 2020! SMT007 Nolan Johnson is managing editor of SMT007 Magazine. Nolan brings 30 years of career experience focused almost entirely on electron- ics design and manufacturing. To contact Johnson, click here.