Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1216587
22 SMT007 MAGAZINE I MARCH 2020 Line participants included the following: • Aegis Software: Software support • ASM Assembly Systems: Screen printer and pick-and-place machine • FlexLink Systems: Laser marker and conveyors • Heller Industries Inc.: Oven • Indium: Solder • Keysight Technologies: ICT • KIC: Oven profiler • Koh Young America: AOI • Purex: Air filtration • SICK: Conveyor During hourly line tours, boards were pro- cessed with two variations of component place- ment on the same boards. Tour visitors could fol- low the board assembly down the line to see the CFX data pulled out during each operation that could be used for quality control, improved pro- duction, etc. Tour participants were then able to step into the CFX education area, where CFX sup- porters shared their insights into CFX, why their company supports it, and how they are using it. IPC APEX EXPO attendees did not have to be on the tour to view the CFX messages stream- ing from the equipment. All CFX messages, including those from dozens of machines in vendor booths participating in a CFX virtual demonstration, streamed more than 176,000 CFX messages to connectedfactoryexchange. com, which anyone could monitor live on their laptop or mobile device. More than 400 people participated in the tours and CFX presentations during the week. From those attendees, IPC saw a shift in vis- itor interest. In past years, the demo visitors were largely equipment vendors and software suppliers looking for a solution for their cus- tomers' equipment communications problems and to meet their Industry 4.0 roadmaps. This year saw a large number of EMS providers and OEMs taking part in the tours as well as attend- ing the 2-17 Connected Factory Exchange Ini- tiative Subcommittee meeting that same week. This shift in interest is a strong leading indi- cator of coming industry adoption of CFX. In addition to the standard equipment vendors learning how to use CFX, there was an increase in the number of manufacturers attending the tours and asking questions about the upcoming IPC support programs in education, equipment validation, self-evaluation, and technical sup- port. These are all items that will make it eas- ier for manufacturers to shop for CFX-enabled equipment. Support programs are expected to roll out within the next month. For the most current information on CFX, visit cfx.ipc.org. SMT007 Chris Jorgensen is IPC's director of technology transfer.