New Potential for an Established Technology
Interview with Frank van Erp, Sales Director of ITW Electronics Assembly Equipment (EAE)
Even minor defects can have costly consequences in electronics manufacturing. The company ITW Electronics Assembly Equipment (EAE) develops equipment for applications where reliability is critical. From advances in wave soldering to the growing demands of AI infrastructure, the firm is refining established processes while responding to a changing market.
Innovation does not always require an entirely new technology. Sometimes, progress comes from improving processes that have been used for decades. One example is the wave soldering at ITW EAE, a field in which the company continuously delivers new solutions.
Rethinking Wave Soldering
“When I started in this industry in the ‘90s, they told me not to focus too much on wave soldering because it was a dying technology,” recalls Frank van Erp. Even three decades later, wave soldering remains relevant. The newest innovation solves a long-lasting problem: the formation of solder dross, which increases material consumption and operating costs. Instead of relying on expensive nitrogen-based systems, the company has developed a new wave soldering technology designed to reduce dross formation while maintaining production yields. Customer collaboration played a central role.
“We listen to the market and try to solve their challenges,” explains Frank van Erp. Engineers and application specialists work closely with manufacturers to test new solutions and evaluate their performance in practice.
Meeting New Manufacturing Demands
Electronics manufacturing is facing broader changes as well.
Automation is becoming increasingly important as manufacturers seek to reduce their reliance on operators and respond to labour shortages. In terms of energy consumption and resource efficiency, sustainability remains another priority.
Meanwhile, the demands placed on electronic components are becoming more diverse. Smaller devices require increasingly precise processes, while AI and networking applications are driving demand for larger circuit boards and improved heat dissipation. These challenges are influencing ITW EAE’s product strategy. The growing AI-related demand is placing production capacity and supply chains under pressure as well. In anticipation of further growth, the company is increasing production.
The sales director admits that sourcing certain components and materials could also become more challenging. ITW EAE falls back on a global support network, which was developed over more than a century of serving electronic manufacturers. The constant development of innovation is an essential long-term strategy for Frank van Erp. He says: “You can only survive if you keep adding value to your customers.”