IPC announces the release of IPC-2591, Connected Factory Exchange (CFX), Version 2.0, the global standard for plug-and-play, machine-to-machine, and machine-to-system communication for digital manufacturing.

Version 2.0 provides substantial updates or expansions to support a broader range of shop floor operations. This includes capabilities added for hand soldering and wave soldering operations – expanding the total number of supported device types to 14 – and providing a pathway for gateway solutions providers to demonstrate their CFX capabilities via the CFX Validation and Qualification System.

Additionally, CFX version 2.0 includes new capabilities, message additions, and structural changes to support smarter factory operations, including, for example:

  • New messaging to support Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) and Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR) technologies deployed in a CFX environment
  • Message field added to enable traceability of specific PCB differences (e.g., board vendor identification), which can be used to influence inspection outcomes and process optimization
  • SMT placement capabilities extended to include pick-and-place cycle information for each component to provide a detailed view of component placement and any failed pickup attempts on the machine and capture how many consecutive pickup attempts occurred before a placement error
  • Improved handling of dynamic recipe changes during production by logging any on-the-fly modifications an operator makes to an active recipe at the equipment level

As with all previous IPC-2591 CFX releases, the CFX version 2.0 software development kit (SDK) is backward compatible with previous versions of the CFX SDK.

“Each of these enhancements in IPC-CFX 2.0 was driven by real-world manufacturing needs and vetted by the IPC task group to maintain compatibility with earlier versions,” said Thomas Marktscheffel, director of product management software solutions at ASMPT. “The result is a more expansive and detailed standard that covers a broader array of production processes and delivers richer data from machines, enabling smarter analytics and more efficient operations across the connected factory.”

To purchase IPC-2591, Version 2.0, visit the IPC Store.

For more information on CFX, including access to the latest SDK and software development resources, visit www.ipc-cfx.org.

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