The 2011 iNEMI Roadmap is the most comprehensive roadmap published to date by the International Electronics Manufacturing Initiative (iNEMI). The complete roadmap report is available here. The document, created by individuals representing all aspects of the electronics manufacturing supply chain, features 27 chapters that provide in-depth discussion of six product sectors and 21 different  manufacturing, component/subsystem, business process and design technologies.

The roadmap identifies major trends in the evolution of Modeling Simulation and Design Tools, with an emphasis on identifying potentially disruptive events (business and technology). It provides the information needed to identify critical technology and infrastructure gaps, prioritize R&D needs to meet those gaps, and initiate activities that address industry needs.

Through its roadmaps, iNEMI charts future opportunities and challenges for the electronics manufacturing industry. These widely utilized roadmaps:

  • Help OEMs, EMS providers and suppliers prioritize investments in R&D
     and technology deployment

  • Influence the focus of university-based research

  • Provide guidance for government investment in emerging technologies

The OEMs generally have a good grasp of what and how to model since historically that was their responsibility.  The issue of EMS and Component suppliers incorporating system level details in their product/process development is raised.  The thinking appears to be OEM-centric.  Often the available software tools, research, etc. are heavily focused on problems faced by the OEMs – i.e. system level issues.  This is a reflection of the investments by OEMs in the various tools and research.

It is important that CSs (component suppliers) and EMSs (electronic manufacturing services) companies incorporate system-level thinking in their product roadmaps and modeling strategies.  However, what is equally necessary is the deployment of M&S by CSs and EMS’s to improve their processes (process modeling).  CSs, especially, are lower in the “food chain” and hence can lack the extent of resources available to the EMS companies and OEMs. Some unique challenges faced by CSs (and to some extent EMS companies) that inhibit extensive use of M&S are:

• Fundamental understanding of new material sets, green material sets
• Non-availability of property databases for the material sets
• Mathematical formulations describing governing laws for materials and processes
• Testing infrastructure
• Cost-effective software tools with advanced physical models
• Attraction of personnel with advanced M&S skills.

The need for system level design and increasing cost pressures, were key trends identified in earlier roadmaps across all sectors and these trends continue in 2011.  In 2011, the system level simulation and modeling are further refined to include policy optimization, design for robustness, and simulation-based control.

The use of simulation techniques is driven by cost pressures.  Simulation allows for the following:

• Evaluation of what-if scenarios rapidly without building expensive, complex hardware,
• Use simulation to bridge from less complex systems (previous generation),
• Reduced amount of testing,

Perform “what-if” simulations to determine performance-cost trade-offs. Other benefits include improved design cycle time (savings on hardware build lead-time, opportunities to gain insight for next product/process design) resulting in reduced time to market.