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The real cost to manufacture a PCB encompasses everything that goes into making the product: the materials and other value-added supplies, machine and personnel costs, and most importantly, your quality. A hard look at real costs seems wholly appropriate.
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Traditional electroless copper and electroless copper immersion gold have been primary PCB plating methods for decades. But alternative plating metals and processes have been introduced over the past few years as miniaturization and advanced packaging continue to develop.
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I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
June 24, 2022 | Nolan Johnson, I-Connect007Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Market news was certainly big this week. While the U.S. stock market continues make some large swings, the PCB and PCBA are doing their own dance with the numbers. We’re still feeling the effects of the pandemic, but it seems to be more about playing catch up. Still, the industry is showing some instability, both in positive and negative ways.
Also this week, we’ve got the IPC-1402 standard now open for public review, and three key industry advocacy groups encouraging action in the U.S. Congress. Then there’s a market report on expected increases in the semiconductor market, and a market report on critical minerals. And for something a little different, we shared a reader response to a column from Dan Beaulieu about the need for changes in the principal-rep relationship. This isn’t something that going to be solved anytime soon, but it’s not for lack of trying. We know changes need to be made, and our reader—the president of his own PCB fab—has some things to say.
If you missed all this news during the week, I’m glad you’re here to catch up. I’d say it’s the perfect way to start your weekend.
IPC-1402, Standard for Green Cleaners Used in Electronics Manufacturing Now Open for Public Review
Published June 22
IPC’s draft version of IPC-1402, Standard for Green Cleaners Used in Electronics Manufacturing, is now open for public review. The draft standard has been progressing through the standards process since fall of 2021 and, despite some minor delays in the draft development timelines— delays are common during consensus-based standards development processes—the draft is now ready for public review through July 15, 2022.
Industry Groups Urge U.S. Congress to Fix Weaknesses in Electronics Supply Chain
Published June 17
Three top industry organizations (IPC, PCBAA and USPAE) last week urged U.S. Congress to support legislation that would address challenges confronting the U.S. electronics supply chain. From what we hear, the effort is paying off in some pretty big ways. More work needs to be done, but this is a great start. Read the details here.
Worldwide Semiconductor Market Expected to Increase 16.3% in 2022
Published June 17
WSTS forecasts strong chip demand for another consecutive year, with most major categories expected to see high teens year-over-year growth in 2022, led by Logic with 20.8% growth, Analog with 19.2% growth, and Memory with 18.7% growth. Optoelectronics remains the weakest category in the forecast and is expected to be roughly flat (+0.3%) year-over-year. Find the rest of the numbers here.
Siber Circuits Owner Responds to ‘Rep’ Column: Encourage Communication
Published June 17
Here at I-Connect007, it’s our goal to move industry conversation forward, without resorting to exaggeration or hyperbole to do so, of course. Simon Etherington, president and owner of Siber Circuits, felt so strongly about Dan Beaulieu’s weekly column titled “Reps Need a Better Deal, Part 2” that he put fingers to the keyboard and expressed his thoughts as a response. Beaulieu frequently writes about sales and marketing topics, particularly the relationship between the sales rep and the principal. Dan has argued that there needs to be improved communication, better language in the contracts, and a sales rep who’s eager to earn. See what Simon had to say.
Clean Energy and Critical Minerals: The Dichotomy and Divergence
Published June 17
Mining consultant Noelle Lovern reports on the challenges for critical minerals. From her report, “Nearly every technology and much of manufactured goods require mined elements. It is often said, ‘If you don’t grow it, you must mine it.’ Now more than ever, mined materials are in higher demand. The urgency to resolve the supply chain issues has been exasperated by disruptions related to COVID-19 and now the Russian invasion of Ukraine and associated sanctions. Current supply chain threats have urged USGS to add 15 commodities to the 2022 Critical Minerals List.” Like so many other parts of the supply chain, mining for minerals remains one of the most basic needs. Readers checked in on Lovern’s market reports here.
Suggested Items
I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
11/22/2024 | Andy Shaughnessy, I-Connect007In this week’s roundup, I’m highlighting a variety of articles. We have an interview with Jess Hollenbaugh, a recent graduate working for Polar Instruments. We also have an interview with IPC’s Matt Kelly and Devan Iyer, whose white paper may provide a way forward for companies dealing with complex advanced packages. Our newest columnist Tom Yang describes the U.S. PCB industry from the point of view of a technologist from another country, and Dan Beaulieu has a review of Malcolm Gladwell’s follow-up to The Tipping Point. Finally, we have my review of PCB Carolina, a one-day tabletop show that keeps expanding, much like my waistline after eating their catered food. Enjoy!
Western Digital CEO David Goeckeler Elected Chair of Semiconductor Industry Association
11/22/2024 | SIAThe Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) today announced Western Digital CEO David Goeckeler has been elected Chair of the SIA Board of Directors. SIA represents 99% of the U.S. semiconductor industry by revenue and nearly two-thirds of non-U.S. chip firms.
Meet Polar's New Product Specialist Jess Hollenbaugh
11/21/2024 | Andy Shaughnessy, I-Connect007At PCB West, I spoke with Jess Hollenbaugh, a recent college graduate who has now joined Polar Instruments. In this interview, she shares her journey from a physics student focused on high-energy astrophysics to her new role at Polar. Her insights provide a glimpse into the dynamic opportunities awaiting those who venture into this evolving industry.
SIA Applauds CHIPS Award for Semiconductor Research Corporation’s SMART USA Institute
11/21/2024 | SIAThe Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) released the following statement from SIA President and CEO John Neuffer commending the announcement that the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Semiconductor Research Corporation Manufacturing Consortium Corporation (SRC) are entering negotiations for the Commerce Department to provide SRC $285 million to establish and operate the CHIPS Manufacturing USA Institute for Digital Twins.
IPC Issues Clarion Call for EU to Reclaim Leadership in Electronics Manufacturing
11/21/2024 | IPCIPC released a synopsis of its recent white paper, Securing the European Union’s Electronics Ecosystem. This condensed document presents a comprehensive overview of the current challenges in Europe’s electronics manufacturing industry and shares actionable steps to help the EU achieve a stronger, more autonomous ecosystem.