I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week

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I’m sure it’s just me being hyperaware, but I can’t shake it: Mars is where it’s at right now. Is it just me, or do you get the same feeling from the news? There are the Mars rovers—three generations of them still rolling, now—and a drone helicopter winding up for a maiden flight any day now. But that’s not all. There’s SpaceX’s StarShip, rapid-prototyping its way into a manned flight to Mars. And NASA’s whole “return to the Moon” project is simply a shakedown for the U.S. government contractors’ Mars flight hardware, too.

Maybe this is all just part of the hopeful, optimistic thinking that keeps us humans buoyed during difficult times. But if it is, it has a history of working. After all, the fiercely competitive Soviet and U.S space programs paradoxically drew the world together in a somewhat apocalyptic-feeling time in history. These days sometimes feel similar, though for different reasons. So many of us are ready to travel, to be mobile, to escape. Why wouldn’t the possibility of visiting other planets suddenly become such a fascination?

This week’s Editor’s Picks include Grumman/Intelsat space tech (though not Martian). Then there’s optimism in the form of an encouraging IPC study on Europe’s post-pandemic economic recovery, and an announcement from Averatek concerning semi-additive process adoption. We also look at why circuit simulation tools have a controversial place in the design community, and NCAB probes how PCB substrates can be damaged by the heat commonplace to the assembly process.

So, if you haven’t read anything else in the electronics news this week, catch five must-reads here. And may your weekend be sunny and warm wherever you are.

IPC Study: Europe's Economic Recovery, Long-Term Future Depend on Attention to Electronics Manufacturing Industry 
Published April 14

Conducted by Decision Etudes & Conseil and commissioned by IPC, this study finds the electronics industry well positioned to be a driving force in Europe’s post-pandemic economic health. “The data shows the electronics manufacturing industry will be a key sector responsible for driving European economic recovery and meeting future market needs” said Alison James, IPC Senior Director of European Government Relations. See the stats here. 

Fresh PCB Concepts: Does the Assembly Process Damage a PCB? (Part 1—Soldering) 
Published April 14 

Team NCAB columnist David Duross tackles Tg, Td and board damage from heat during assembly. Even if you thought you knew everything on this topic, Duross’ column puts it all in crisp, easy to grasp, focus. And readers found value in that, based on our metrics. 

Northrop Grumman, Intelsat Make History with Docking of Second Mission Extension Vehicle 
Published April 13 

With all the news attention watching the “droids” on Mars, Northrup Grumman and Intelsat are quietly ushering in another “droid” milestone—robotic satellite modules performing hardware upgrades to satellites already in orbit. Fascinating reading over in our Mil-Aero newsfeed. 

Averatek Announces A-SAP License Agreement with FTG 
Published April 13 

Averatek continues to add licensees to their A-SAP PCB process technology, taking advantage of trace and space capability as fine as 15 microns. It’s increasingly clear that semi-additive processes are establishing a beachhead in fine line PCB fab. 

Bridging the Simulation Tool Divide 
Published April 12 

Why don’t more engineers use simulation, if its whole purpose is to help confirm a working circuit design before going to fabrication? In this interview with Todd Westerhoff, Andy Shaughnessy and the I-Connect007 team try to capture the whats, whys, hows, and whos of simulation tools.

03/24/2023 | Nolan Johnson, I-Connect007

It’s almost as if upheaval is the new normal. We often describe slow-moving but unstoppable change as moving in “geologic time.” But occasionally–like an earthquake–geology shifts suddenly. Here in my office, tracking the news of the industry, things are moving faster than geologic time, but more slowly than the jolt of an earthquake. The wave seems almost surfable, where before it seemed overwhelming. In this week’s list, we bring news from five different, high-vibration areas in our industry. If you read nothing else this week, these five items will keep you informed.

03/17/2023 | Patty Goldman, I-Connect007

Sarah Czaplewski-Campbell, a materials/product development engineer at IBM, shares her experiences as a young professional who has benefited from the guidance of seasoned mentors alongside her own unflagging drive to expand her industry knowledge. She offers poignant advice for prospective professionals, urging them to assertively seek out advice and experiences that will help them progress in their careers.

03/02/2023 | Pete Starkey, I-Connect007

During an excellent packed-house luncheon on the Monday of IPC APEX EXPO 2023, IPC Chief Economist Shawn DuBravac gave a keynote address titled, “What's New in Tech: The Micro Trends Defining the Future of Electronics,” with an introduction by IPC President and CEO John W. Mitchell.