LAS VEGAS -- After three years of uncertain bets here, the IPC Apex/Expo trade show is finally showing a winning hand.

The show had seen traffic dip during the economic downturn and it did not return to pre-recession numbers last year despite the industry upturn. This year, however, the traffic and mood are noticeably improved, with most exhibitors pleased with the showing.

Many attendees we spoke with are here shopping for new equipment. Of interest were laser-direct imaging and curing equipment, and embedded technologies.

There is little to speak of in terms of new design products. On the fabrication side, however, the most interesting products we've seen thus far include the Semblant SPF plasma finish, a thin fluoropolymer coating applied using a plasma deposition chamber. (The chambers are available through a joint marketing agreement with Nordson March.) The film, upon application, is a few nanometers thick, and is considered to be very stable and wettable. For fabricators trying to duck the high metals costs of gold and silver finishes, or the shelf life concerns of OSPs, this is an interesting development. User data are needed; Rockwell is among those said to be evaluating  the finish.

Also, Maskless Lithography continues to improve on its direct-write lithography system.

The show moves to San Diego next year.

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