January 2017 • The PCB Magazine 79
5
EPTE Newsletter: Preliminary
PCB Industry Results For 2016
I can't believe we are in the
last month of 2016. We have
almost a year of sales data
from the global printed cir-
cuit industry, so this is a good
time to analyze this year's
performance and consider business plans for 2017.
Since printed circuits are the major components in
electronic products, let's review PCB market trends
in the global electronics industry.
6
IPC APEX EXPO 2017 to Debut
Flexible Hybrid Printed
Electronics Pavilion
Apart from its more
than 450 industry-
leading exhibitors,
the IPC APEX EXPO
2017 will debut
its Flexible Hybrid
Printed Electronics
Pavilion to offer attendees a great opportunity to
experience how these trending printed electronics
products and technologies apply to hybrid PCBs
and PCB assemblies.
7
All About Flex: Disruption
in the Supply Chain
Manufacturers need a high-
ly dependable supply chain
to successfully support their
products. This is especially
true of custom designed
and built components, as
many times, only one sup-
plier is available for a com-
ponent since tooling and
development costs discourage dual sourcing.
8
IPC: Connected Factory Initiative
Subcommittee's Progress on
Machine Data Interface Standard
Representatives of in-
dustry's leading man-
ufacturers, machine,
device, sensor and
software companies
that comprise IPC's 2-17 Connected Factory Initia-
tive Subcommittee have made significant strides
in developing a machine data interface standard,
"Connected Factory Exchange or CFX."
9
Innovative Use of Vias
for Density Improvements
In today's fast-paced
global, economic envi-
ronment—which requires
constant innovation, up-
skilling, and performance
improvements— there is
a need for increasing den-
sity. The classic way to in-
crease density is to reduce
the trace and spacing.
J
Launch Letters:
Programs, Not Projects
Sometimes, an uncon-
trollable tick in my neck
emerges. The wrinkle in
my forehead that now
has no boundaries slowly
makes its way to my bald-
ing scalp. My porcelain
china doll-like complexion
gradually transforms itself
to resemble a Honeycrisp,
and ultimately, a Red Delicious apple.
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