Finalists named in productronica's Innovation Award

Technically innovative, economical, a new design or easy to integrate into systems: Those were the prerequisites for the innovative products and manufacturing techniques that companies could submit to apply for the productronica innovation award. Entries were evaluated by a panel of prominent judges including: Professor Klaus-Dieter Lang (Fraunhofer-Institut IZM), Professor Mathias Nowottnick (Universität Rostock), Dr. Martin Oppermann (Technischen Universität Dresden), Professor Lothar Pfitzner (Fraunhofer-Institut IISB), Dr. Eric Maiser (VDMA) and Christoph Stoppok (ZVEI). Awards will be presented to technologies or processes in five categories that correspond to productronica's new clusters: PCB & EMS; SMT; Cables, Coils & Hybrids; Semiconductors and Future Markets. The shortlists of the top three (or top four in the event of a tie) have been selected:

PCB & EMS cluster

Electronics manufacturing services and PCB manufacturing are the foundation of electronics manufacturing. Which application of the following four (due to a tie) award participants will win in this category will be revealed on November 10 (in alphabetical order):

• Agfa Gevaert
• Digitaltest
• Fuji Machine
• Seica Spa

SMT cluster

Manufacturing smartphones, tablets and other devices is only possible because of surface mount technology (SMT) and the miniaturization that makes it possible. In this case, it is important to always adapt to new requirements to avoid falling behind. The following three companies have demonstrated that with their solutions:

• Ersa
• Rehm Thermal
• XYZTEC

Cables, Coils & Hybrids cluster

The trend is toward "wireless"? No. Many achievements would not even be possible without cables and wires. Whether it comes to the energy sector or Internet technology, superior-quality cables and wires are a prerequisite. The top three companies in this category are as follows:

• Komax
• Schleuniger
• Spectrum Technologies PLC

Semiconductors cluster

The cluster for semiconductor manufacturing and semiconductor technology gives its segments even better visibility at productronica and, with it, the significance that they deserve. After all, the topics in this cluster are key elements in electronics manufacturing. Although we still don't know which company in this category will come out on top:

• F&K Delvotec Bondtechnik
• Keysight Technologies Germany
• Finetech

Future Markets cluster

From Industry 4.0 and the smart factory to 3D printing in electronics manufacturing: What were considered futuristic visions a few years ago now have enormous potential for electronics production. The solutions of these four (due to a tie) companies put them at the top in this category:

• Asys
• Bedrunka & Hirth
• Ersa
• Yxlon International

The productronica innovation award is the first independent award in the sector for electronics production and is conveyed in close collaboration with 'productronic' magazine. The winners will be announced at the main press conference for productronica at 9:30 on November 10.