Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1437606
DECEMBER 2021 I PCB007 MAGAZINE 85 new programs offered to those who might not know anything about an assembly operation. We can give them 30 to 40 hours of online con- tent that helps them get grounded in how var- ious parts of the electronics manufacturing process works. Oen the industry just relies on shadowing to provide this kind of educa- tion which is not very consistent and some- times doesn't happen at all. With this pro- gram, they learn and can also keep going back to that information for a refresher, if needed, when something new comes up. One of the programs, Electronics Assembly for Engineers (EAE), has been very well received. At APEX EXPO, we will share more information about EAE and other courses under development, and I am very excited about that. Matties: When we start looking at inflation, when material input costs started to rise, a lot of the fabricators just compressed and did not pass those on. But you can only do that so long and inflation is not transitory as it turns out. It's here, and it's going to be here. Mitchell: Yes. If you're spending much more on hiring the individuals that are building your materials, then that cost must get accounted for somewhere. Matties: Right. And it's not just the labor, as we know. It's the cost of raw materials and other input cost. Mitchell: Exactly. Chips, parts, materials, trans- portation, everything. e costs have gone up just about everywhere. Matties: Are there any strategies or programs to help the fabricators look at how to be more efficient, lowering their costs to help combat the inflation that's happening? Mitchell: I know one of the areas that we are really trying to help combat those costs is through our Factory of the Future initiatives. APEX EXPO will showcase the Factory of the Future pavilion on the show floor, host- ing leading tech companies in the field. ose companies will provide information on solving real business challenges with technologies that modernize processes throughout factories. Matties: When we look at Factory of the Future, obviously automation is a key part of it. AI comes into play. Mitchell: at's part of it, but also, it's about managing that information in terms of knowing