SMT Perspectives and Prospects: Warren Buffett’s Perpetual Wisdom, Part 2
Smart Automation: Pick-and-place Machines—What Matters in 2025
Global Citizenship: Chinese PCB Fabricators Will Remain an Important Part of the Supply Chain
SMTA UMW Chapter Kicks Off 2025 with 'Manufacturing by Design is the New DFM' Technical Session
January 6, 2025 | SMTAEstimated reading time: Less than a minute
The Upper Midwest Chapter (UMW) of the Surface Mount Technology Association (SMTA) is excited to announce its first technical session of 2025, featuring industry expert Dale Lee presenting "Manufacturing by Design is the New DFM."
What to Expect:
This informative session will explore the concept of "Manufacturing by Design" (MBDF), a growing trend that emphasizes designing products with manufacturability in mind. By integrating manufacturing considerations early in the design process, companies can achieve significant benefits, including:
- Reduced costs
- Improved product quality
- Faster time-to-market
Event Details:
- Date: Thursday, January 23, 2025
- Time: 2:00 PM – 5:15 PM (US Central)
- Location: Hennepin County Technical College, Room J110, 9000 Brooklyn Blvd, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota 55445
Cost:
- SMTA Members: $20
- Non-Members: $40
- Students (with school email address): Free
Registration:
Secure your spot at this informative event by registering online.
Share on:
Testimonial
"Our marketing partnership with I-Connect007 is already delivering. Just a day after our press release went live, we received a direct inquiry about our updated products!"
Rachael Temple - AlltematedSuggested Items
Global PCB Connections: Understanding the General Fabrication Process—A Designer’s Hidden Advantage
08/14/2025 | Markus Voeltz -- Column: Global PCB ConnectionsDesigners don’t need to become fabricators, but understanding the basics of PCB fabrication can save you time, money, and frustration. The more you understand what’s happening on the shop floor, the better you’ll be able to prevent downstream issues. As you move into more advanced designs like HDI, flex circuits, stacked vias, and embedded components, this foundational knowledge becomes even more critical. Remember: the fabricator is your partner.
The Art and Science of PCB Floor Planning: A Comprehensive Guide
08/14/2025 | Cory Grunwald and Jeff Reinhold, Monsoon SolutionsPCB design is an intricate and crucial part of developing electronic products. One of the foundational stages of PCB design is floor planning, a phase where the placement of components and the flow of signals are meticulously mapped out. A good floor plan ensures that the PCB performs well, is easy to manufacture, and meets all mechanical and electrical requirements. We’ll explore the essential aspects of floor planning, from its objectives and process to the challenges that designers face.
EnSilica Establishes New EU Mixed-Signal Design Centre in Budapest, Hungary
08/12/2025 | EnSilicaThe facility strengthens EnSilica’s presence in the European Union and taps into Budapest’s deep technology ecosystem, which hosts numerous leading automotive and industrial multinationals. This expansion will increase the Group’s global headcount to around 210 employees.
Happy’s Tech Talk #41: Sustainability and Circularity for Electronics Manufacturing
08/13/2025 | Happy Holden -- Column: Happy’s Tech TalkI attended INEMI’s June 12 online seminar, “Sustainable Electronics Tech Topic Series: PCBs and Sustainability.” Dr. Maarten Cauwe of imec spoke on “Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) Models for Assessing and Improving the Environmental Impact of PCB Assemblies,” and Jack Herring of Jiva Materials Ltd. spoke on “Transforming Electronics with Recyclable PCB Technology.” This column will review information and provide analysis from both presentations.
Elementary, Mr. Watson: Why Your PCB Looks Like a Studio Apartment
08/13/2025 | John Watson -- Column: Elementary, Mr. WatsonIn November 2022, I wrote a column called "Is Your Bathroom in the Kitchen?" This piece related a bizarre real estate listing that emerged out of St. Louis that had architects scratching their heads and interior designers cringing. Nestled in the historic Central West End sat a 200-square-foot apartment that completely defied logic. It wasn't the size that raised eyebrows, it was the layout. Here's the kicker: While that's rare in real estate, it's shockingly common in PCB design.