IPC International Community magazine an association member publication
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F E AT U R E A RT I C L E 86 I-CONNECT007 MAGAZINE I SEPTEMBER 2026 Modern PCB factories can incorporate sophisticated automation, advanced process con- trols, machine vision, extensive traceability, real- time data collection, predictive analytics, and AI. These technologies are enabling manufacturers to see, measure, and identify opportunities that once depended almost entirely on human observation. They also create an opportunity to think differently about the manufacturing workforce. The factory of the future brings technology and human exper- tise together, allowing each to contribute where it creates the greatest value. So how can our intelligent factories help us create more knowledgeable, capable, and empow- ered people? What Automation Makes Possible PCB manufacturing is particularly well-suited to au- tomation because it combines repetitive operations with demanding precision requirements, complex chemical processes, extensive material movement, tight process windows, inspection requirements, and enormous amounts of manufacturing data. Au- tomated systems can perform many repetitive func- tions with exceptional consistency and can reduce unnecessary handling and variability while allowing manufacturers to build more repeatable and con- trolled processes. However, as processes become more automated, we need people to provide an understanding of why a process exists and which variables matter. They BY M I C H A E L G L E AS O N , G R E E N S O U RC E FA B R I CAT I O N The Factory of the Future Still Needs People