Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1443477
JANUARY 2022 I PCB007 MAGAZINE 13 In Finland and Europe, both existing and new start-up companies, even before COVID, had already started their development work. lenge. Still, because PCB manufacturing com- bines so many different processes, it's still lim- iting with maybe one critical process. at is something that will come. Is it in Industry 4.0, 5.0, or is it something else? In my opinion, the soware development and implementation are the key in this challenge. First, how do you get all the equipment connected within the fac- tory and then use the data for process control? Johnson: What is the general European think- ing on moving to Industry 4.0? Typically, that is applied to assembly, but what about in PCB fabrication? Rapala-Virtanen: I think there are some, but it's a combination of so many different process steps that it also needs the communication of the different equipment makers. As it's neces- sary to get all collected data into the factory global database from where the data can then be used for overall process optimization within the different process steps. Johnson: Are the fabricators in Europe asking for this, are they looking for more Industry 4.0 capabilities? Rapala-Virtanen: I think they are still following what is happening, but I think that as all new investments are Industry 4.0 capable, we will see more, thanks to the equipment producers' development work. ey produce the whole line which is smart factory capable. In Europe, of course, many PCB shops are still very small and now, as I understand, the loading is nice. Normally when the factory loading is good, you do everything to get the products out of the factory on time. Johnson: Do you see any particularly interest- ing new products from any new companies with a new offering? Rapala-Virtanen: I think there are the so- ware companies combining the information chain within the factory. And then there are, of course, some equipment manufacturers who have also been working with new and very interesting manufacturing technologies to enable the development of a new product for future needs. In Finland and Europe, both existing and new start-up companies, even before COVID, had already started their devel- opment work. ey have been excited about their development, both on the hardware and soware side, have been able to start NPI man- ufacturing, and are showing some interesting results. It's important to understand how the hardware and soware will work together. I know multiple interesting new technology approaches supporting the product develop- ment have been introduced. Johnson: What about materials or wet processes that are being developed? I would expect the motivation is to be more sustainable, but who is leading that sort of development? Rapala-Virtanen: at's a good question and you are right that sustainability is, of course, included in the development; but the capa- bility to fulfill the future end-product require- ments is important. Both the material and wet process development must go hand in hand, and they also must know the future product requirement to make their material or process capable and sustainable at the same time. Today, the tighter tolerance and variation requirements are the focus, especially in mass