32 The PCB Design Magazine • January 2017
components in electronic products, let's review PCB
market trends in the global electronics industry.
IPC APEX EXPO 2017 to Debut Flexible
Hybrid Printed Electronics Pavilion
Apart from its more than 450 industry-leading ex-
hibitors, the IPC APEX EXPO 2017 will debut its
Flexible Hybrid Printed Electronics Pavilion to of-
fer attendees a great opportunity to experience
how these trending printed electronics products
and technologies apply to hybrid PCBs and PCB
assemblies.
All About Flex: Disruption in
the Supply Chain
Manufacturers need a highly dependable supply
chain to successfully support their products. This is
especially true of custom designed and built com-
ponents, as many times, only one supplier is avail-
able for a component since tooling and develop-
ment costs discourage dual sourcing.
IPC: Connected Factory Initiative
Subcommittee's Progress on Machine
Data Interface Standard
Representatives of industry's leading manufactur-
ers, machine, device, sensor and software compa-
nies that comprise IPC's 2-17 Connected Factory
Initiative Subcommittee have made significant
strides in developing a machine data interface
standard, "Connected Factory Exchange or CFX."
Innovative Use of Vias for Density
Improvements
In today's fast-paced global, economic environ-
ment—which requires constant innovation, up-
skilling, and performance improvements— there
is a need for increasing density. The classic way to
increase density is to reduce the trace and spacing.
Launch Letters: Programs, Not Projects
Sometimes, an uncontrollable tick in my neck
emerges. The wrinkle in my forehead that now has
no boundaries slowly makes its way to my bald-
ing scalp. My porcelain china doll-like complexion
gradually transforms itself to resemble a Honey-
crisp, and ultimately, a Red Delicious apple.
EuroTech: Institute of Circuit Technology
Northern Seminar 2016, Harrogate
A new location for the Institute of Circuit Tech-
nology Northern Seminar: Harrogate, the elegant
and historic spa town in North Yorkshire, England.
And an impressive venue: the chandeliered draw-
ing room of the palatial and stately Majestic Hotel,
dating from the Victorian era.
Weiner's World
Here we go again! The winter holiday (and trade
show) season is upon us. Electronica's mood was
upbeat. Next, the Asia and San Diego shows. We
just received word as we were preparing for our
trip to next month's HKPCA/IPC event in Shenzhen,
China that the CPCA show suddenly changed its
March 2017 date and venue.
TTM President Thomas Edman on the
Global PCB Market, Technology, and More
The TTM and Viasystems merger put the PCB in-
dustry on notice last year when it created one
of the biggest powerhouses in the world. At this
year's HKPCA and IPC show, Barry Matties met
with TTM Technologies President and Chief Execu-
tive Officer, Thomas Edman to get his views on the
market, technology, the culture of TTM and even
the Trump effect.
KCE Group: A Thailand-Based PCB
Manufacturer with a Growing Global
Footprint
Recently, while at electronica in Munich, Germa-
ny I-Connect007's Judy Warner met KCE America
President Rick Rhodes, and Joe Yeo of KCE Group.
They discussed the unique challenges and oppor-
tunities that come with the rigorous automotive
market, and explained why they continue to enjoy
explosive growth.
EPTE Newsletter: Preliminary PCB
Industry Results For 2016
I can't believe we are in the last month of 2016.
We have almost a year of sales data from the global
printed circuit industry, so this is a good time to an-
alyze this year's performance and consider business
plans for 2017. Since printed cir
cuits are the major
PCB007
Highlights
