Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1108006
APRIL 2019 I FLEX007 MAGAZINE 53 feel the best way for us to continue to innovate is to be connected with speci- fiers of functionality, which tends to be the OEM. We also need to work with the rigid and flex circuit manufacturers because we can come up with the best material, but if the material is not easy to fabricate with, that doesn't help, so we need to talk and work with both parties. As you point out, the interaction in the Bay Area with participants in all of these new focus areas—especially as you think about autonomous driving and AI being embedded in many dif- ferent applications—is very dynamic. Working closely with OEMs and manu- facturers is critical. Matties: We're seeing a shift in the design community and the need for more collaboration early on—having circuit designers actually talk to mate - rial suppliers—so it's not just the OEMs looking for functionality; it's the design- ers too. Kannurpatti: Absolutely. In the SVTC as well as across the globe, we have teams of engineers and scientists talking not only to OEMs but also to the circuit manufacturers. In both of those interfaces, our conversations are around the design, including how to put different materi- als or structures together. This is especially important when you think about some of these higher-reliability applica- tions that must last a long time or withstand high temperatures. A lot of testing has to hap- pen during the design phase. So, naturally, we engage with designers early on. Andy Shaughnessy: We've recently seen a lot of OEMs being forced into flex because the rigid boards just won't fit in the products anymore. Do you spend a lot of time educating new peo- ple on flex? Kannurpatti: To some extent, yes. There's rec- ognition that flex is a real need, so we try to educate people on it, and that quickly trans- lates into, "Can we do some prototyping or test something?" Our team is involved with that along with the OEMs and fabricators. Nolan Johnson: I have a question about your SVTC facility and making it available to OEMs, which is what I believe you said earlier. There could be a lot of OEMs out there who want some hands-on experience with products, and it sounds like you have some pretty extensive and specialized expertise on staff. If somebody is coming in—such as a five-person design shop doing designs for somebody else as a contrac- tor—are they going to get time and attention at your facility? Is this open to everybody? Kannurpatti: We certainly want to talk to cus- tomers that are engaged in flex and rigid-flex and in applications that we're focused on, and we are open to having conversations and dis- cussions with folks—whether or not they walk Figure 2: Leaders celebrate the recent opening of DuPont's Silicon Valley Technology Center.