Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1467744
70 PCB007 MAGAZINE I MAY 2022 ufacture it? Where is that capacity and where will our customer want it sourced? With the supply chain issues in recent years, we're very sensitive to that. We've expanded capacity in one of our Tai- wan sites, which can support not just Ter- raGreen 400G, but the existing high-speed materials that are growing as well. We've engi- neered the treaters such that we can do quick changeovers, and support both halogen-free and non-halogen-free products. In the U.S. we opened a quick-turn facility in Chandler, Arizona, where we can keep an inventory of the prepreg materials and press [make laminate] on demand to support needs in North America. As North American demand grows, we'll adjust accordingly. Johnson: We've been concentrating our con- versation on the leading-edge products. at's the realm of the early adopters. What about the many designers who are working back in the thick part of the bell curve? Do you see a shi in what they're buying? Kelley: It varies by region. In North America, certainly all the supply chain issues are top of mind for a lot of our customers. Johnson: ankfully you're quick turn. Kelley: Yes. Our timing worked out. ough we still have to deal with some of those supply chain logistics issues. But having the ability to stock prepreg and press on demand in Chan- dler is a big deal for us. And in that bell curve, the trend is shiing a little bit and you see some migration to the higher performance materials. Johnson: Even the majority buyers are starting to move toward higher performance materials? Kelley: Maybe it's more of a broadening bell curve. When COVID first started, we had a spike in demand for high Tg FR-4s, for things like ventilators and other medical equipment. resin formulation looks good, we'll submit for UL certification, and we can continue with process development and testing those bound- aries during the time it takes to finish the UL process. We must understand how our prod- ucts will perform. Johnson: Isola has a global presence. e three major regions—Asia, Europe, and North America—tend to have different specialties. Where do you see TerraGreen 400G material being in most demand? Kelley: We expect the greatest demand in Asia and the United States. But while the largest demand will be in the high-speed digital space in these regions, it's certainly capable for mil- limeter wave, RF/microwave. We have sev- eral customers in Europe looking at millime- ter-wave applications, and we're capable of production at our site in Germany. In the U.S. we'll see more prototype, pre-production, and smaller scale production. I like the conversa- tions about onshoring, but that's going to take time to happen. e highest volume demand will remain in Asia for the coming years. erefore, as we commercialize a new prod- uct, we focus not just on product performance and process repeatability, but on our service model as well. Do we have the capacity to man- The Isola QTA and R&D facility in Chandler, Arizona.