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The miniaturization of electronic components represents a major challenge for manufacturers. In order to guarantee the level of quality and reliability required by the markets, the Electronics activity of LACROIX has partnered with other manufacturers within the Pléiade [European Assembly Integration and Electronic Development] collaborative platform.
Let’s focus on this major project, which involves eight large players in the European professional electronics industry.
Technological advances in recent years have led to ever greater miniaturization of microelectronic components.
In this race to the infinitely small, new families of components are appearing, integrating fully-fledged systems of great complexity and of course requiring an evolution, even a revolution, of the entire chain from design to assembly.
This evolution implies new challenges in terms of design, manufacturing, control and inspection in order to reach the quality and reliability expectations required by the new applications, including nomadic and IoT ones, and their operating environments.
The miniaturization of components also implies new production challenges, including the technical nature of engineering and production staff, equipment performance and the growing complexity of processes. To meet these new challenges, manufacturers in the sector are multiplying innovative initiatives.
Pooling skills in a common approach
The Electronics activity of LACROIX has joined forces with eight other manufacturers in the French electronics industry within the Pléiade platform to pool their expertise and industrial knowledge. Inaugurated in 2016 in Angers (Maine-et-Loire), this technical and collaborative platform is part of the WISE programme, which aims to develop the electronics sector in the west of France region.
The Pléiade platform was launched to pool the work on production processes of six major French players in the electronics sector. Gathered in a consortium, these six companies pool their respective expertise to conduct innovative projects, in a process of convergence of technological roadmaps with regard to innovations in miniaturization of components and innovation of associated assembly processes.
Quality and reliability objective
Together, the Electronics activity of LACROIX and its partners are working to improve the assembly of highly integrated miniature components in the context of very high integration density, intended for the aeronautics, automotive, health, home automation and industrial markets. The objective is to produce miniaturized objects with a very high level of quality and reliability for increasingly demanding uses and mission profiles.
The Pléiade platform also provides coordination, a strategic and forward-looking vision and a common communication strategy for the six partners. Managed by the WE Network cluster, the project is supported by local authorities and the State
This is a rather original situation, because this collegial work allows each manufacturer to improve. Each of the participants is in charge of a mission: technology watch, design of electronic board prototypes, carrying out analyses… The pooling of expertise and experience allows us to go faster at a lower cost. Each member of the consortium has a keen awareness that we are stronger together.”
Damien Branchereau
Process Engineer at the Electronics activity of LACROIX
The Pléiade project, a factor of technological acceleration
By focusing on collaborative work and pooling their investments, the Electronics activity of LACROIX and its partners within Pléiade are sending a strong message to major European clients: “By joining together in the same consortium, we are offering a whole ecosystem,” says Damien Branchereau. “This reassures decision-makers about our ability to absorb the strong growth to come, and demonstrates the existence of real industrial capacity in Europe.”
In the age of the digital revolution, the development of IoT and miniaturisation offers great opportunities for innovation, employment and economic development. With a leading industrial fabric in the field of professional electronics, LACROIX and its partners in the west of France region have many assets to pursue the development of electronic production on the French territory.
The market for miniaturized components is therefore in a phase of strong growth in the professional sector. Without a doubt, made in France electronics, has a bright future ahead.
