This year’s IPC APEX exhibition and conference took place in sunny San Diego, at the city’s smart harbour-front Convention Center. Perhaps most notable to observers was the size of some of the exhibitors’ booths. Recent shows have featured predominantly small booths; 2013 saw the return of a number of much larger booths across the exhibition.
More than 400 exhibitors showed equipment, materials and services for printed circuit boards, electronics assembly and printed electronics. The feeling on the show floor among exhibitors appeared to be one of renewed confidence. The larger booths were an indicator of this. No-one was prepared to explain why there was an upturn in confidence, but speculation included political and economic issues in the US in late 2012 that had now been resolved.
Mentioned several times was the US fiscal cliff, which caused a lack of confidence, and the presidential election – itself an area for uncertainly and of course a distraction. Now that these issues had passed, confidence in the US manufacturing sector, and in the investment landscape, had improved dramatically, according to many interviewees. There was also much talk of a temporary blockage of orders during that period that had now been removed. With APEX being the first major event in the electronics industry’s 2013 calendar, the scene was set for fresh business and confidence was high.
This was the mood of the visitors too. Even from the start of Day One, visitor numbers were promising. Queues to enter the show halls are not always a sign of a good turnout, but in this case it was, as the floor was busy from the outset. Visitors also reported a buoyant atmosphere, with many looking for specific solutions and new budgets to spend. All good news for the industry. Day Two was slightly less busy, which is not the normal trend at this show or others. But it did appear to be busy enough to please the exhibitors. Again, reports of a high quality of interest and visitors with real money to invest helped to keep spirits high.
Innovations all around
The show offered a large number of new products, upgrades, enhancements and initiatives launched and services announced. It is difficult to tell whether this is a true sign of renewed industry confidence or simply the fact that it is the first major show in the calendar year, with people determined to make a good start.
Inspection specialist Koh Young used the event as the kick-off point for its US Roadshow Tour – clearly demonstrated by a huge truck cab parked on its booth. The truck will spend three months touring the country.
Sono-Tek demonstrated its ultrasonic ‘airshaping’ technology for efficient fluxing in wave solder baths that uses less flux and is self-cleaning for low (or even zero) maintenance. The company also launched an innovative dual fluxer, typically mounted inside a wave machine, to switch flux recipes for different boards.
Essemtec announced an OEM partnership with Heller for larger multi-zone ovens, which accounted for the longer oven displayed on its booth. Its much-anticipated high speed Scorpion dispenser was absent, and will instead be revealed at Semicon. And that’s a new focus for the company – a conscious move towards to the semiconductor sector.
The wall-of-water on the Aqueous booth did little for those who’d had a drink the previous night but did demonstrate the company’s commitment to clean water technology and meticulous self-contained recycling. An increasing challenge with smaller devices is getting deionised water underneath the components for cleaning. Aqueous is lecturing on Green & Clean through workshops that discuss trends and solutions.
STI revealed a hidden gem in its portfolio not obvious from its unassuming booth. Besides its IPC-accredited soldering training (the company creates the IPC’s global lesson plans in this area), a distribution channel for 120 product lines and contract manufacturing with three surface mount lines, STI also offers exceptional laboratory resources and test facilities to determine predictive failures. This is imperative in high-reliability sectors where guarantees are mission-critical. STI was one of several companies reporting a poor 2012 but a very buoyant start to 2013 with high confidence for the rest of the year.
Flying probe board test technology has been around for almost two decades, but the technology continues to evolve. ATG showed its 6th generation unit with eight probe heads designed for fully-automated inline lights-out operation. The system is proving popular in Europe. Distributing products from Japan, Seika also focused part of its booth on flying probe test. The company revealed new software for its test system that works directly from Gerber files, which is often the only PCB data an EMS company will get from its customer. The result can be a ten-fold reduction in programming setup time. The tester also features kelvin-connected probe tips that permit testing of solder joint integrity.
Dispensing was well represented at APEX. It certainly appears to be a growth sector within the market. Of note was the Progressive Cavity Pump demonstrated by GPD Global. The company is known for its very small volume, high accuracy dispensing capability. The new pump features a closed-loop feedback sensor that controls pressure for greater consistency, making the system a real contender for solder paste and adhesive dispense. GPD Global executives expected a slow 2013 but were already surprised by the level of business and reported an exceptional January – its second-best ever!
It wasn’t just the very large stands that offered inspiring solutions, though Mirtec’s 3D TV animation was impressive (a pity that the company ‘lost’ upwards of 600 pairs of 3D glasses during the event!). Virtual II occupied a small booth but displayed some very simple but captivating handling products to pick up small and sensitive parts, including optics. Most use vacuum – some manual, others via a small pump – to allow users to handle tiny components. Delrin-tipped tools permit the handling of lenses and optical parts without leaving a residue mark.
John Mitchell, IPC President and CEO, says that events are a cornerstone of the organization’s service provision to its members. The IPC is clearly committed to making APEX events a success and had gone the extra mile to make a difference. The halls were fully carpeted. And on the first day, the IPC provided free beer & sliders (mini hamburgers) at 4.00pm to be enjoyed by visitors and exhibitors alike. It was a nice touch that made a good impression.
Many industry observers look to APEX as an early indicator for the year ahead. If it is a valid forecast indicator, then the optimism is a good sign for the industry in 2013.
This is the last time for a couple of years that the event will be hosted in San Diego. The IPC has chosen to alternate the venue for the exhibition. In 2014 the APEX Expo will be in Las Vegas at the Mandalay Bay Resort, and on the slightly later dates of 25th to 27th March.
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