Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1083315
116 I-CONNECT007 I REAL TIME WITH... IPC APEX EXPO 2019 SHOW & TELL MAGAZINE today's sophisticated controls, and a peek at what we can expect in the upcoming years. He outlined IPC's growing role in automotive electronics via various committees and speci- fications. The fabrication of PCBs—the foun- dation of all elec tron- ics—was amply cov- ered by Alex Stepin- ski, VP o f G re e n - S o u rc e Fabrication. Stepinski focused on recent innovations a t G re e n S o u rc e that enabled the construction of circuit production lines with the capability for single-piece flow, autonomous work cells, and extreme traceabil- ity capabilities, which can yield higher quality levels and shorter cycle times than ever before while also eliminating the traditional environ- mental footprint of a PCB factory. He illus- trated how these key innovations relate to the future of the automotive industry supply chain and the need for high reliability in increasingly complex circuitry. The next presentation was "The Global Outlook for Specialty Chemicals and Materials in Automo- tive Electronic Packaging" by Joe D'Ambrisi, global VP of electronics market- ing and technology, and Don Cullen, director of marketing, both of Mac- Dermid Alpha Electronics Solutions. They gave an illustration of the future that combines printed elec - tronics on a flexible substrate and molded into a final assembly resulting in a new 3D package. by the I-Connect007 Editorial Team Presented by IPC Hall of Fame Council, the Executive Form on Advancing Automotive Electronics proved to be a jam-packed day, which started with a call to order by the forum chairman, Gene Weiner of Weiner International Associates. What followed were 10 presenta- tions on all facets of automotive electronics from materials, fabrica- tion, and reliability test- ing to market informa- tion and future needs. According to Weiner, the objective of the forum was "to provide information on the com- plete supply chain for automotive electron- ics including materials, process, product development, Tier 1 require- ments, global sourcing, reliability, and the use of analytics for cost control and troubleshoot- ing. The idea was to provide an international global outlook with speakers from Europe, Asia, as well as the U.S., and provide some- thing of value and use to every attendee." IPC President and CEO Dr. John Mitchell started with an overview of the past, pres- ent, and future of electronics for automobiles including the first headlamps and radios, Executive Forum on Advancing Automotive Electronics