In March 2025, hand soldering was formally added to the IPC-2591 Connected Factory Exchange (CFX) specification, opening the door for standardized communication of manual soldering process data. Later in 2025, the Ersa i-CON TRACE system was validated and added to the IPC-CFX-2591 QPL, confirming its ability to reliably generate and exchange CFX-compliant data within a connected factory environment.
With CFX certification, hand soldering process data from the i-CON TRACE system can now be communicated directly to Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) using IPC-CFX. Through the Ersa TRACE Cockpit, manufacturers can define hand soldering processes, guide execution at the workstation, and capture full traceability data in real time. This enables hand soldering—traditionally one of the least visible manufacturing steps—to be documented and analyzed with the same level of transparency as automated processes.
The i-CON TRACE is Ersa’s first fully networked hand soldering station, developed to meet growing requirements for traceability, quality control, and compliance. Built-in connectivity allows each soldering operation to be monitored and recorded, giving manufacturers clear insight into process parameters, operator actions, and production history. This level of control supports consistent workmanship while simplifying documentation for audits and customer requirements.
Ian Orpwood, Sales Director at the company, commented: “The addition of hand soldering to the IPC-CFX standard is an important step for the industry. With i-CON TRACE now listed on the IPC-CFX-2591 QPL, manufacturers can confidently integrate hand soldering into their connected factory strategies using a standardized, validated interface.”
The complete i-CON TRACE system, including the TRACE Cockpit and CFX-certified connectivity, will be on display at the 2026 APEX EXPO at Booth 2113.
