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Device Embedding in PCBs: Evolution or Revolution?
August 25, 2014 |Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
Abstract
The embedding of components in electronic interconnection structures has been carried out for more than 30 years, and while different technologies have developed and were technically successful, history has shown that these embedding developments did not result in a sustainable success over a longer period of time. Replacement technologies have been developed after a short period of time by the so-called “Not in Kind” (NiK) technologies (e.g., inorganic = not in kind, organic = in kind).
This paper will explain what is needed to avoid technology pitfalls that lead to future business failures.
In addition, opportunities are discussed that enable development managers, design engineers and specialists to use the full benefits of embedding devices in automotive, medical and industrial applications. These enabling manufacturing technologies will offer the opportunity to develop innovative product solutions in critical technical, environmental and business situations.
Introduction
The number of PCB fabricators in Europe has declined over the last 20 years to less than 25% of what it was at the end of the 1980s. Today, Europe has little more than 250 PCB fabricators with a turnover of about US $2.7 billion. Large companies like Siemens, Philips, Alcatel and IBM closed their in-house PCB manufacturing plants long ago. For the remaining PCB companies in Europe the strategy is more focused on survival, with growth as a near-goal objective. Under these circumstances, innovation is a major part of the survival strategy. To stay in business today, it is important to understand what field of business the company is operating in and what are the means necessary to differentiate your company from other suppliers, wherever they may be. The PCB fabrication market was a suppliers market in the ‘80s. The supplier (i.e., the PCB fabricator) could set the prices for his products and the customer had to agree on it to get the products. Today, the PCB market is a buyer or purchasing agent market. The prices for PCBs are, in many instances, defined by the product buyer. Often, the PCB fabricator has no option but to agree to the offered price or he will not get the order. Furthermore, in longer-term contracts, price reductions are included--often between 5 and 10% p.a. Purchasing agents are using the well written IPC standards to define the workmanship and the quality of the finished PCBs. On many occasions these requirements are over-specified and do not reflect the required manufacturing technology and tolerances needed for a given application. PCB fabricators have to learn again that they are in the business to make money and that the PCBs are the tools to achieve this task. In addition, the PCB purchasing agents or buyers have to learn that only a PCB fabricator that makes money will be able to stay in business and will have the financial resources to invest in future technology, innovation, manpower and equipment.Read the full article here.Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the July 2014 issue of The PCB Magazine.