Better together
As the turnkey automation solution detailed on page 48 demonstrates, collaboration is often vital to success. Indeed, this is the theme of this year‘s Semicon Europa event (page 16). The news that Intel has put its plans for megafabs in Germany and Poland on temporary hold (page 13) means that the European semiconductor industry will certainly need to pull together – and fast – to help the EU meet its goal market share by 2030.
Go with the (re)flow
As PCBs become more compact, and circuits more varied, electronics manufacturers require more control over the soldering environment to ensure solder joints for components of all sizes are reliable and safe. To this end, the reflow oven featured on page 18 offers more targeted convection and flexible heat transfer. Accompanying measuring electronics enable engineers to determine the optimum soldering conditions for each component. The interview on page 10, meanwhile, explains how the precise measurement of oxygen levels in a reflow environment could be crucial for improving solder joint quality.
An all-electric society
This is the slogan for electronica 2024 (page 14). It refers to a vision of the future in which all energy needs are met by CO2-neutral electricity. Systems which offer the rigorous testing of power electronic packages, like that featured on page 52, will play a central role in making this vision a reality.
