I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
December 17, 2021 | Andy Shaughnessy, Design007Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

I’m starting to get more and more out-of-office replies. Are you reading this on your phone while standing in line at Best Buy? But if you’re reading this, here’s to you! It’s been a pretty good year—much better than last year, though that’s a fairly low bar to clear.
It’s a mixed bag this week, with news about trade shows, along with articles and interviews focusing on everything from education to methods for dealing with supply chain issues by staying flexible and taking action earlier in the process.
I won’t be writing this next week, so have a great holiday! See you on the road.
Alun Morgan's productronica Slide Show
Published December 15
You may have missed out on the recent productronica show in Munich. Does anyone know what the international travel restrictions are right now? But fear not! Our friend Alun Morgan, technology ambassador for Ventec International Group and a fantastic photographer (and guitarist) brought his gigantic camera to the show and chronicled the week’s events. As Cajun chef Justin Wilson used to say, “Y’all get your enjoy, I guarantee it.”
AltiumLive 2022 CONNECT Returns to the Global Stage as a Virtual Summit
Published December 15
The AltiumLive CONNECT conference returns as a virtual event, with the U.S. show taking place January 26-28, and the European conference slated for February 2-4. Keynotes include Dr. Eric Bogatin of the University of Colorado; Jackie Mattox, CEO of Women in Electronics; Ashley Quinlan, Global Distribution Channel and Marketing Strategy at Samtec; Dave Doherty, president of Digi-Key Electronics; Robert Feranec, founder of FEDEVEL Academy; and Chris Church, co-founder and of Macrofab. Don’t miss it!
Insulectro Passionate About Educational Programs
Published December 10
There’s a real need for design education right now, especially in regard to designing with high-speed laminates. That’s the message Insulectro’s Ken Parent, Chris Hunrath, and Michelle Walsh share with the I-Connect007 Editorial Team in this recent interview. And Walsh explains how she came into this industry via the world of carpet fibers.
Real Time with… productronica: Electrolube is Going Green
Published December 14
In this pre-productronica interview, Phil Kinner of Electrolube and Editor Pete Starkey discuss the company’s move toward more bio-friendly conformal coatings. Kinner also explains how their recent merger with MacDermid Alpha Electronics Solutions had helped them gain greater access into the automotive segment.
Lean Digital Thread: (Pro)curing the Supply Chain Virus
Published December 15
The supply chain has been in the news for a while now, and while the container ship traffic jams off Long Beach and Shanghai are finally starting to clear up, the supply chain is likely to be a problem for some time. In this column, Siemens’ Mark Laing explains how we can ameliorate the effects of this issue by planning in advance and using “procurement-focused DFM” strategies. Above all, as Mark says, “Flexible designs enable flexible engineering.”
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Smart Automation AI—Revolutionizing Inspection in Electronics Manufacturing
05/27/2025 | Josh Casper -- Column: Smart AutomationArtificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly becoming a staple in our personal and professional lives. In electronics manufacturing, integrating AI to combat common inefficiencies and to contextualize data will open new doors into how we supplement our traditional processes. In some specific areas of the electronics manufacturing process, integration of AI on the factory floor is already having a tremendous effect. One such area is PCBA inspection, particularly 3D automated optical inspection (AOI) systems.
Indium Promotes O’Leary to Director of Global Accounts
05/27/2025 | Indium CorporationIndium Corporation, a leading materials refiner, smelter, manufacturer, and supplier to electronics, semiconductor, thin-film, and thermal management industries, announces the promotion of Brian O’Leary to Director of Global Accounts.
Promex Industries CEO Richard Otte Honored with IEEE Electronics Manufacturing Technology Award
05/27/2025 | PromexPromex Industries, Inc., a Silicon Valley-based provider of advanced design, packaging, and microelectronics assembly services, today announced that CEO Richard (Dick) Otte has received the 2025 Electronics Manufacturing Technology Award from the IEEE Electronics Packaging Society (EPS).
Robert C. Donovan Joins DISTRON, Marking the Third Generation in Family Leadership
05/26/2025 | Distron Corp.DISTRON CORPORATION, a leading U.S.-based electronics contract manufacturer, proudly announces that Robert C. Donovan, son of CEO Robert H. Donovan and grandson of Founder Robert G. Donovan, has joined the company as a Management Trainee. This milestone marks the beginning of the third generation of family leadership at the company.
American Made Advocacy: Lobbying Congress Supports the Supply Chain
05/27/2025 | Shane Whiteside -- Column: American Made AdvocacyThe upheaval in world markets is driving daily headlines. The global supply chain has seemed “normal” for the microelectronics industry because over the past three decades, an increasing percentage of microelectronics components and materials have been made overseas. For many years, other countries, primarily in Asia, invested heavily in their microelectronics industry while U.S. companies offshored manufacturing services in pursuit of the lowest cost.