Tony McKie, CEO, memsstar, Ltd.
Looking at the global MEMS market, industry experts are predicting double-digit device growth in the next three to five years. How that translates into capital equipment spending is yet to be determined. MEMS growth continues to be driven by consumer electronics, mobile and handheld applications. Significant additional growth will come from the Chinese mobile market, which could account for as much as 30% of overall MEMS spending for mobile and handheld applications.
There are ever-increasing opportunities for low-cost MEMS within the consumer market, which will drive innovation in the coming years. For example, not everyone needs a high-end microphone on their handheld or mobile device, so there remain opportunities to provide low-cost MEMS for these applications. Even a state-of-the-art smartphone has room for both low-cost and high-cost MEMS options, representing opportunity in a very cost-sensitive market.
Regarding new applications for MEMS, the market is limited only by people’s imagination. For the sensor market, innovation will come down to how we integrate sensors onto new platforms. This results in MEMS being incorporated further into people’s everyday activities; for example demand for sensors in the sports and personal health industries will grow significantly.
Challenges remain. In a cost-sensitive market, manufacturers will demand efficient processing with high yields compatible with a wide range of standard films and materials. This will allow MEMS devices to be manufactured using standard equipment and processes, thereby minimizing cost.
While MEMS don’t follow the demands of Moore’s Law, increasing complexity and size will demand more advanced processing capability and performance focused on cost-effective volume manufacturing.
Showcase your latest products and services at this year’s Micro | Nano | Mems 2015 exhibition which is set to return to the NEC in Birmingham and will be running from the 30th September to the 1st October. The event covers the full spectrum of technologies from laser micromachining through to micro injection moulding, and from MEMS fabrication, through to assembly, inspection and test equipment. It offers visitors a one-stop-shop for small and ultra precision process technology.
The 2015 show will be joining forces with the PPMA (The Processing & Packaging Machinery Association) Show which received over 12,000 visitors when it was last held in 2014 and, this year, it will feature the “One’s to Watch” awards and live debates at the Manufacturing Forum alongside it’s retinue of industry leading, high quality exhibitors.
Last year’s Micro | Nano | Mems exhibition, co-located with The Machine Building Show 2014 and Sensors & Instrumentation 2014, was hailed as a major success by visitors and exhibitors alike. The show proved to be a busy and vibrant event which enabled exhibitors to discuss new projects and innovations on their stands, generate useful leads and in many cases take orders at the show.
The Micro | Nano | Mems 2015 exhibition will also provide a host of technical demonstrations and a huge range of free educational seminars. Last year it was standing room only at many of the seminars that took place throughout the two days, and which featured high profile speakers from a number of key industry organisations.
Visit http://www.micronanomems.com