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MAY 2026 I I-CONNECT007 MAGAZINE 21 partners wisely. Right now, we have outlets in the U.S., Taiwan, Korea, Japan, and, most recently, India. Are you seeing more receptivity or enthusiasm in one region over another, or is it pretty even across the world? Certainly, the domestic market has picked up in the last five years. But as the single global source for our portfolio of metals and technologies, we're getting interest everywhere. That is good to hear. Do you see additive technol- ogy fitting within the spectrum of electronics and manufacturing several years out? Obviously, there are different products for different markets, but we also see some growing trends. The first is the need to get around Moore's Law with more Inkjet Solder Mask: Notion Systems Takes the Mic 2.5D or 3D IC stacking and advanced chips. The ability to perform additive metallization is becoming increasingly important for 2.5D and 3D architectures. Another trend is the big partnerships happening in big tech with the hyperscalers and the AI ecosys- tem. Everyone wants their own custom chip, and for that, you have to understand its end use. The days of common chip types used across different platforms are waning, and you have to understand the applica- tion and the ecosystem it's going into. The flexibility and manufacturing capability of additive will become more prominent as a manufacturing method for these high-end, application-specific chips. Melbs, this has been very interesting. Thank you for taking the time. You're welcome, Marcy. I-CONNECT007 Additive manufacturing offers clear advantages in material efficiency, process simplification, and design flexibility. By depositing material only where needed, additive approaches reduce waste and enable new ge- ometries not possible with traditional subtractive methods. However, challenges remain, including material formulation constraints, process control complexities, and the need to meet long-established reliability standards in high-volume manufacturing. Notion Systems, based in Germany, has already established itself as a leader in industrial inkjet technology for functional materials, with a strong focus on electronics manufacturing. Its core plat- form, the n.jet system, is designed to enable fully digital, additive processes for applications such as solder mask, legend printing, and etch resists. Its inkjet solder mask solution stands out as a significant advancement in PCB fabrication. Design flexibility is a key advantage of the Notion system. Because the process is digital, manufacturers can eliminate pho- tomasks and quickly adapt to design changes, making it ideal for high-mix, low-volume production. The system also enables variable thickness control, allowing engineers to selectively build up insulation in critical areas while keeping other regions thin or uncovered. The platform, focused on reliability, sup- ports high precision and repeatability through optical alignment, automated calibration, and inte- grated curing, ensuring consistent coating quality and reliable circuit protection. It also aligns with Industry 4.0 initiatives by enabling data integra- tion, traceability, and automation, while reducing chemical use and waste. Celia Wenzler Celia's 'Take the Mic!' interview from APEX EXPO WATCH NOW! BY M A RCY L A RO N T, I - C O N N ECT 0 07