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10 SMT Magazine • February 2017 est technologies to tackle solder voids in elec- tronics assemblies. Tom Borkes, in his feature contribution, ex- plains his perspective on the general drivers of change in the electronics assembly industry— such as additive technologies, RF and power management, robotics, wearable electronics, and cloud-based computing and data security— and the specific new product and process types that are a result of those drivers. I also interviewed Electrolube's Phil Kinner, who gives us the latest on conformal coating and resin solutions to address the thermal man- agement issues in automotive electronics and LED applications. Thom Hansen of EMS firm MC Assembly, outlines the factors driving the rapidly chang- ing electronics assembly industry, and how technology developments have impacted the EMS industry in recent years and will likely con- tinue shaping the industry in the future. Finally, we have Goepel electronic's Thomas Wenzel who analyzes the latest trends and tech- nology innovations happening in the test and inspection front. Our lineup of general interest articles and columns is quite extensive this month. First, Michael Ford of Mentor Graphics explores IPC- 1782, IPC's newly created standard and speci- fication for traceability practices across all lev- els of electronics manufacturing, and specifical- ly for electronics assembly. Manncorp's Tom Beck offers how three OEMs are benefitting from their decision to bring their SMT assembly in-house. Chintan Sutaria of Cal- cuQuote describes how the process approach applies specifically to the request for quote (RFQ) process in the EMS industry, and the impact of this strategy on a business overall. In his column this month, Tom Borkes contin- ues his discussion on organi- zational structure labor costs, and introduces an alternate organizational structure— one that permits a more efficient and cost effec - tive way to manage electronic product assembly. In my interview with VirTex CEO Brad Heath, he shares his insights on the challenges facing the EMS industry, and the latest technol- ogies and trends that are providing significant impact in the EMS industry. As you probably know, mid-month at IPC APEX EXPO, the whole electronics assembly in- dustry supply chain will converge once again under one massive roof to showcase the latest innovations, systems and solutions aimed at taking manufacturing processes to the next lev- el. Plenty of industry experts will be on hand discussing the latest technologies, trends and challenges we can expect to see this year. As always, I-Connect007 will be present at the event to provide you, our readers and part- ners, in-depth and real-time information on the technology and business developments happen- ing in our industry. And we want to talk to you! Drop us a note to set up an appointment, or just drop by our booth to say hello. I look forward to meeting you at IPC APEX EXPO 2017! SMT Stephen Las Marias is managing editor of SMT Magazine. He has been a technology editor for more than 12 years covering electronics, components, and industrial automation systems. SURVEY SAYS: NEW TECHNOLOGY!