Technological products have now become an integral part of our lives and are consolidating their places even further each day. Particularly with the transition to Industry 4.0, a large number of sectors will become electronic in the near future. The footsteps of the revolution in automotive and smart home technologies have already begun to be heard. Accordingly, the importance of some strategic products has started to increase even more. PCB (Printed Circuit Board) is one of them. We met with Ozdisan Elektronik PCB Department Manager Mirac Bakici and talked about several aspects about PCBs. We also discussed the industry standards, current situation and the future.
Mr. Bakici, can we get to know you a little?
I was born in Istanbul in 1983. I graduated the business administration department and entered the business life. Before starting my job at Ozdisan Elektronik, I worked in the Electronics and R&G team at a company for 6 years. After I completed my military service, I continued my business life in the electronics sector. I have been working at Ozdisan Elektronik for about 6 years now. I am working as the PCB department manager.
How and when did your paths cross with Ozdisan Elektronik?
I actually knew Ozdisan closely as I have been in the same industry for many years. In my previous experience, I worked as an electronics production supervisor. When the PCB unit at Ozdisan was being established, I joined the team. It was the initial days of the unit. With my colleagues, we tried to do our best in order to be better, more quality and more useful.
In which fields you provide services to the sector?
Ozdisan is one of the leading suppliers of PCB products and components in Türkiye. PCB is one of the products that the electronics industry needs the most. Together with our team mates, it is one of our main tasks to have our customers manufacture their products in the most accurate, highest quality and most appropriate way. We provide services to a large number of sectors, especially the medical, military, industrial, automotive, lighting, and automation sectors. In addition, as a technical unit we pay frequent visits to the manufacturers and customers. We also participate in fairs and trainings. Lastly, we attended the WIN EURASIA fair. We had the opportunity to introduce our products and services to a large number of professionals from the sector. We also had very productive meetings with the youngsters who visited our stand.
From which countries the raw materials used in PCB manufacture supplied?
PCB product is a sector where there are many alternatives in terms of the variety of raw materials. The major ones are as follows: FR1,FR2,CEM1,XPC,CEM3,FR4,ALU,High TG and FLEX. The main product in PCB raw materials is the FR4 product. This is the standard and most accepted type. There are even many different series of this product. The main production of standard FR4 is in China and Taiwan. FR4 materials, which are referred to as advanced technology products, are also supplied from USA, Japan and European sources.
Which companies’ products do you represent in the PCB field?
Depending on technological requirements, our production sources may vary. We are able to create optimal solutions for all kinds of PCB products that are the requirements of our time. Our main manufacturer is Ownlon company. We have a very productive cooperation with them. They are very successful in terms of price and quality performance, and they are also ahead in terms of engineering and technical services in their field. They can manufacture up to 22 layers. This manufacturer, with an annual production capacity of 1.500.000 m2, carries out its activities with 1180 employees and 70 engineers. We provide the steel screen products that we offer to the sector mainly from Ownlon company. Ownlon is a very advantageous brand in this product both in terms of quality and price. On average, 8% of the products manufactured by Ownlon company reach to our country. Türkiye is a remarkable market for them. Other companies we work with are HDI, Rigid, Flex, Rigid-Flex, Metal Core and RF. These companies have advanced technology productions with special materials. They can produce up to 50 layers in low quantities.
“Ownlon is a very advantageous brand in this product both in terms of quality and price. On average, 8% of the products manufactured by Ownlon company reach to our country. Türkiye is a remarkable market for them.”
How many people does your team consist of?
As the PCB unit at Ozdisan, we are currently providing services together with our technical team of 6 people. All our team members have quite solid technical infrastructures. We are closely following the developments that the sector needs. As a unit, we have a young and dynamic structure.
PCB Bidding Robot project, which you offer through Ozdisan.com, is also very creative. What would you like to say about this?
I think this application will be much more efficient in the coming years. For now, we can say that it is at initial stage. Based on the comments from the players in the sector, we want to add innovations to the application. We plan to improve the application and make it more active according to the feedback we receive from our customers over time. Our goal with this platform is to be able to offer services to our customers who are competing with time with a click. We are continuing our efforts to become a more interactive platform.
Now, let’s talk a little about the standards in the PCB. What are the universal standards that must be followed in production?
The American IPC Association (Institute of Printed Circuits) determines the generally accepted standards in the sector that should be followed in PCB production. We can say that the standards of this association are taken into account globally. The most well-known are the IPC-600 and IPC-601X standards. As the products diversify, the standards can also change in the market.
“The spread of robotic systems, which we are starting to see in the medical field, as well as the increase in artificial intelligence applications are on the agenda. As the need for these devices to stay in communication with each other increases, the need for electronic circuits required for each device will also increase.”
What do you think are the most important features that distinguish Ozdisan from its competitors in the field of PCBs?
PCB is a product that requires huge expertise. There are so many details that need to be paid attention to. It is very difficult to compensate for any mistakes. Our biggest advantage is our technical experience. Our expertise in this field and the importance we attach to quality differentiate us. We strive to keep customer satisfaction at the highest level. Our motto is, “Leave the PCBs to us, and concentrate on your main job.”
So, can we learn about your business processes?
I can say that our main task is before the sales. We ensure that the PCB product is manufactured in the most accurate way. We provide on-site support to our customers when necessary, and organize visits and meetings. At Ozdisan, we strive to produce the most optimal solution in the PCB products, as we do in all the products we offer to the sector.
What kind of changes do you think will happen in the PCB market in the coming years? Does the market bear a growth potential?
Of course. As the technology has advanced, it has begun to spread to all areas of our lives. Accordingly, the need for electronic cards in the developing smart home technologies and automobile sectors will increase even further. The spread of robotic systems, especially in the medical field, and the increase in artificial intelligence applications are on the agenda. As the need for these devices to stay in communication with each other increases, the need for electronic circuits required for each device will also increase. Investments in the renewable energy sector are also growing daily. I believe that the need for automation solutions in this area, as well as in the aviation and transportation sectors, will increase in parallel with the investments. Ozdisan continued its growth in PCB products in 2017 with additional developments especially in the military and automotive sectors. In overall, we foresee a growth of at least 15-17% in the PCB products in 2018.
Will you make new investments in the PCB field?
DMY Electronic Investments, under which we produce HDI PCBs in Türkiye, is working on establishing a PCB production facility. We foresee positive results related to this.
“Leave the PCBs to us and concentrate on your main job.”
