SMTconnect 2023: focus on intensive exchange of information

Numerous national and international key players from the electronics industry as well as highly qualified trade visitors were on-site. In a unique atmosphere, these experts benefitted from the opportunity for intensive networking close to the product on all three days of the trade show. The main goal was clear: to work on the best solutions and to further advance electronics production.

Spotlight on ‘Driving Manufacturing Forward’

True to the motto: ‘Driving Manufacturing Forward’, this year's SMTconnect focused on special highlight subjects such as sustainability, obsolescence management, and AI in electronics manufacturing. The choice of themes once again proved the event’s relevance for the industry.

"For my team and I, the SMTconnect has been a fixed date in the calendar for years. We look forward to the annual reunion of the electronics industry and always bring home exciting projects," says Sandra Paggen-Breu, Managing Director at Paggen Werkzeugtechnik GmbH. The company has been an integral part of the exhibitor community at the event for the last 25 years.

Expert exchange at the highest level

Overall, 8,400 visitors were able to gain valuable insights along the entire value chain of electronics manufacturing, as well as experience and try out innovations and products at first hand. Exciting discussions between the approximately 230 exhibiting companies or partners and the trade visitors spurred the positive mood on-site:

“The SMTconnect is definitely my favourite trade show and I have been attending it for almost 30 years. It is here that we get direct feedback from customers on our products – this is incredibly valuable for us and helps us to get better and better. We look forward to exchanging ideas with all the other market players at this industry meeting. At this event we get the best market overview and learn all about the latest trends and developments," summarises Stefan Janssen, Managing Director at Fuji Europe Corporation GmbH.

Attractive highlights on the agenda

Again, this year, the multi-faceted forum programme with numerous specialist presentations, panel discussions and product presentations provided an opportunity for further training. Special insights into exciting top topics were at hand, for example, with the participation of FED e.V., and trade associations VDMA and ZVEI:

• Market outlook electronics mechanical engineering & activities VDMA Productronic (VDMA Productronic/ Viscom AG).
• Semiconductors for Europe – trends, opportunities and challenges (ZVEI e.V.)
• Protective coatings in electronics manufacturing (Lackwerke Peters GmbH & Co. KG)

Trade visitors gained even more technical know-how and deep insights into the interrelationships of electronics manufacturing and supply chain dependencies at the ‘Future Packaging’ production line of the Fraunhofer Institute for Reliability and Microintegration (IZM). It also distinguished itself as a proven and exclusive hotspot at the SMTconnect in 2023. The focus this year was on ‘Trust the Line’ - Competitiveness through Trust, Sustainable Tool, and Supply Chain. Interested parties were able to take part in live guided tours with commentary every day and thus expand their knowledge horizons directly.

Expertise takes centre stage: joint stands and hand-soldering competition

At the special EMS Park area, visitors met partners from the electronic manufacturing services sector. With hot lecture topics at the EMS Speakers Corner, the exchange between OEMs and EMS service providers was facilitated through best practice lectures.

Numerous exhibitors covering all aspects of PCBs, components, and materials were also on hand at the PCB meets Components joint stand. Here, trade visitors received tailor-made solutions as well as products for their questions with contact persons in the shortest possible time. A further highlight included the SMTconnect hand-soldering competition, organised by the IPC – Association Connecting Electronics Industries. Soldering professionals showcased their skills of speed and precision to an enthusiastic audience again this year.

The next SMTconnect will be held in Nuremberg, Germany, 11―13 June 2024.