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Beyond the Rulebook
What happens when the rule book is no longer useful, or worse, was never written in the first place? In today’s fast-moving electronics landscape, we’re increasingly asked to design and build what has no precedent, no proven path, and no tidy checklist to follow. This is where “Design for Invention” begins.
March Madness
From the growing role of AI in design tools to the challenge of managing cumulative tolerances, these articles in this issue examine the technical details, design choices, and manufacturing considerations that determine whether a board works as intended.
Looking Forward to APEX EXPO 2026
I-Connect007 Magazine previews APEX EXPO 2026, covering everything from the show floor to the technical conference. For PCB designers, we move past the dreaded auto-router and spotlight AI design tools that actually matter.
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Merlin Circuit Technology Invest in ESI 5335 Laser Drill Technology
March 19, 2025 | Merlin Circuit TechnologyEstimated reading time: Less than a minute
Merlin has been manufacturing HDI products for more than 15 years, firstly with mechanical drilled micro vias and subsequently laser drilled vias with an ESI 5330 Laser Drill. This is an established technology that has developed and increased in volume over the years, with the increase in demand for these products Merlin has invested in an ESI 5335 Laser Drill
The 5335 incorporates a high-power diode-pumped laser to enable efficient cutting through copper-clad laminates, with a range of parameters to deliver greater swarf / debris removal, thus achieving improved hole wall definition to aid subsequent plating processes and product reliability.
Improved productivity is also gained with operational speeds of up to three times faster than previously possible, the 5335 has a peak move speed of 14,000 points per second @ 250 µm spacing, greater accuracy +/- 20 um over the entire panel with holes down to 0.05um dia.
This is a fantastic investment for Merlin and demonstrates a continued commitment to invest in the technologies required to service a developing and demanding circuit board industry at the highest level.
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Microchip Expands Post-Quantum Root of Trust Controllers
04/29/2026 | MicrochipAs the industry embarks on the transition to post‑quantum cryptography (PQC), Microchip Technology is expanding its portfolio of Trust Shield, PQC‑ready devices with the TS1800 Platform Root of Trust controller and the TS50x secure boot controller.
Is China Plus One Still Happening in the PCB Industry?
04/28/2026 | Manfred Huschka, Manfred Huschka Management Consulting (Shenzhen) Ltd.For much of the past five years, China Plus One has been shorthand for supply-chain diversification: reducing dependency on mainland China by adding manufacturing capacity elsewhere in Asia. In the PCB industry, however, in early 2026, it is more nuanced. It looks less like a clean geographic shift and more like a layered, capital-intensive rebalancing of global capacity, one that still leaves China deeply embedded at the center.
TRI Launches New Wafer Inspection and Metrology Platform
04/28/2026 | TRITest Research, Inc. (TRI), the leading provider of Test and Inspection solutions for the electronics manufacturing industry, is proud to announce the launch of the TR7950Q SII Series.
TTC-LLC and TTCI: Smarter Training, Stronger Test at PCB East 2026
04/27/2026 | The Test Connection Inc.The Training Connection LLC (TTC-LLC) and The Test Connection, Inc. (TTCI) will be exhibiting together at PCB East 2026, taking place April 28–May 1 at the DCU Convention Center in Worcester, Massachusetts. Attendees can find both teams at Booth #103 during the main exhibition day on Wednesday, April 29.
CMMC Compliance and AI Integration with Accurate Circuit Engineering
04/23/2026 | Real Time with... APEX EXPOJames Hofer of Accurate Circuit Engineering (ACE) delves into the challenges and benefits of integrating AI and meeting stringent security requirements. Discover how ACE navigates CMMC, its impact on data management, and the strategic advantages of certification for businesses.