Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1502623
JULY 2023 I SMT007 MAGAZINE 51 EMS and OEM companies should ask their equipment vendors about installing IPC- CFX on existing equipment on the manufac- turing floor. Unless a piece of equipment is significantly outdated, an IPC-CFX instal- lation into the device should be possible. Engage an MES provider to see how they can help. As stated earlier, MES providers we have spoken with have indicated they want their cus- tomers to move to IPC-CFX , even on exist- ing lines, because having the standardized plug-and-play benefits of IPC-CFX removes the hindrance of connect- ing equipment together and to the MES system. ere will be EMS and O E M c o m p a n i e s t h a t may have home-cooked systems and/or lack the engineering manpower on staff to guide them on a pathway to IPC-CFX i n s t a l l a t i o n s . To h e l p these companies, IPC is interested in providing a list of IPC-CFX instal- lation support providers. If you or your company have experience work- ing with IPC-CFX instal- lations and can provide support services to man- ufacturers, let IPC know by completing the online form. Next Stop: IPC-CFX 2.0 As the IPC-CFX Standard Task Group and the "Plug and Players" A-Team look ahead, they are making plans on IPC-CFX 2.0. It's still early, so we can't pull back the curtain too far on what an IPC-CFX 2.0 might look like, but some of the topics under consideration include: • Standardized IPC-CFX support for non-electronics manufacture; IPC-CFX connections with MTConnect, OPC-UA; or utilizing IPC-CFX Generic endpoint capabilities as a starting point for additional pieces of manufacturing equipment • Expanding IPC-CFX capabilities and messages into PCB manufacturing • IPC-CFX for artificial intelligence AI ecosystem • Continued demonstrations on how IPC-CFX will support sustainability efforts, including recent activities to develop a digital twin JSON schema for collect- ing sustainability data to flow into IPC-CFX What's most important in this continuing evolution of IPC-CFX is the voice of industry. e task group and A-Team are comprised of leading minds represent- ing OEM, EMS providers, equipment vendors, and soware solutions provid- ers, but for IPC-CFX to be successful for your Factory of the Future plans and support of your custom- ers, the groups need your voice. Share your feed- back on current experiences with IPC-CFX and areas where we need to expand—or per- haps to better explain existing—capabilities of the standard. Please reach out to me at Chris- Jorgensen@ipc.org to share your experiences and to play an active role in the development of IPC-CFX. SMT007 Chris Jorgensen is director of technology transfer at IPC. EMS and OEM companies should ask their equipment vendors about installing IPC-CFX on existing equipment on the manufacturing floor.