Digi-Key at electronica 2022 with 3M

3M has a very broad portfolio across the whole supply chain, semiconductor fabs, IC packaging, PCB, and device assembly and then on to communications, infrastructure, and data centres.

“It gives us a unique perspective on what’s happening in the industry, on trends and on some of the big design challenges,” notes Koch. “At 3M, our purpose is to unlock the power of ideas.”

Some of the big challenges include challenges around design, or the increasing use of data and data speeds, and then also around sustainability.

“When I think about how we engage with customers, and what they’re looking for, it’s around improving performance and the sustainability of a solution – this can be in the device itself, it can be how it’s used, it can be in the energy efficiency during manufacturing or use and, finally, around cost,” said Koch.

3M has made some advances in high-speed copper interconnect. It’s Twin X series of connectors are really starting to take off. When you look at communication speeds and the data rates, PCIe 3 and 4 and now even 5, 3M has solutions that are very efficient.

3M is also helping with solutions for the connected world. For the past few years, there’s been a strong trend of automation. For some companies, it has been difficult to get labour and that means that manufacturers have transitioned to automated assembly and production.

“We have connectors for machine vision, for sensors, for a number of different electronic and industrial automation needs,” said Koch. “We’re seeing them adopted as more cameras work their way into some of robotics and servo motors. We’re really got a broad range that are rooted in performance and reducing overall cost.”