When the IPC Apex Expo show floor opens on Tuesday, February 27, more than 20 equipment vendors, software providers, and customers from across the electronics industry will participate in an IPC Connected Factory Exchange (CFX) showcase. It is a technological demonstration operating in real time, which will deliver standardized machine data from participating exhibitors through the cloud and onto visitors’ mobile phones.
“When visitors enter the show floor or a participating exhibitor’s booth, they will scan a QR code using their phone, which will bring up a mobile device website driven by the CFX cloud server,” said Dave Bergman, IPC vice president of standards and training. “Visitors can then observe real-time analytical reports, such as overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), unit counts and more, as well as, the live data stream showing actual machine activity. This is a first-of-its-kind demonstration and with no software to install, this illustrates the true nature of IoT, with IPC CFX as a 100 % open industry standard,” Bergman added. “We’re essentially turning the Apex show floor into a factory floor!”
“The critical roadblock that has been keeping industry from accessing Industry 4.0 benefits has been the issue of reliable and meaningful data across disparate machines and devices,” said Jason Spera, co-chair of the 2–17 Connected Factory Initiative Subcommittee that is developing the IPC CFX standard, and CEO of Aegis Software. “IPC CFX is open, totally comprehensive in scope and native to the machines,” he added.
In addition, members of the 2–17 Connected Factory Initiative Subcommittee will review the current building blocks of the standard and will address new developments in how the standard enables complete digital modeling from design through manufacture with feedback paths of information from manufacturing back to design. On Wednesday, February 28, IPC will host an Industry 4.0 Buzz Session. The Buzz Session will feature short presentations, a panel discussion and opportunities for attendees to ask questions.