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

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Were you one of the lucky ones who made it to Europe’s largest electronics trade show this week? By all accounts, this massive event was buzzing with new technologies, packed booths, and plenty of tired feet by the end of each day.

So, if you’re heading home from productronica (or, like me, just enjoying the end of a busy week), now’s the perfect time to unwind a bit. Settle into that airplane seat (or office chair), grab a snack, and catch up on some great reads from I-Connect007. I’ve rounded up a few of my favorite stories from the week that will keep you informed and maybe a little entertained, even if you’re cruising at 30,000 feet.

This week, I’m highlighting a podcast from Elephantech, an IPC certification piece from Blackfox, the November edition of the Advanced Electronics Packaging Digest, Jesse Vaughan’s milaero column, and a feature on our future industry leaders forming unique partnerships.

Voices of the Industry Features Elephantech’s Satoshi Konagai on the Future of Sustainable PCB Manufacturing
Published November 17

Founded as a startup in 2014 at the University of Tokyo, Elephantech has built strong alliances with leading Japanese corporations as a core strategy to drive transformation in the electronics industry through innovations in inkjet technology. In this podcast episode, Satoshi Konagai explains how “Elephantech’s technology not only minimizes environmental impact but also redefines what’s possible in quality and efficiency, proving that sustainability and high performance can coexist.” This is a story of innovation and purpose, says Marcy LaRont, host of the podcast, and I know you’ll find it inspiring.

Beyond the Board: Why More Defense Primes Are Moving Toward Rigid-flex for Lighter, More Reliable Systems
Published November 18

If you don’t know Jesse Vaughan too well, be sure to check out the interview with him in the November issue of PCB007 Magazine, where Jesse shares his love for all things sports, PCBs, and his family. But here I’m highlighting his latest Milaero column on the move by defense primes toward rigid-flex. “In an industry where every gram, cubic inch, and potential point of failure matters, rigid-flex isn’t just a design evolution, it’s a system-level strategy,” he writes, arguing that rigid-flex boards provide more reliability, which is essential in aerospace and defense. Whether you work in design, fabrication, or assembly, Jesse’s column has something for you.

The Purity of Certification
Published November 19

As a bonus piece to the November issue of SMT007 Magazine, Juan Balderrama writes about the challenges as more companies relocate to Mexico, creating a shortage of specialized personnel and standardized processes. He interviews Joel Sainz, General Manager at BlackFox Training Institute, to gain a clearer understanding of how the company manages IPC training and certification in Mexico. Find out how “purity” is a vital part of the equation for a highly-trained workforce in Mexico.

November 2025: Advanced Electronics Packaging Digest
Published November 17

I admit that there’s still so much I don’t understand about electronics manufacturing, so I’m grateful for the new Advanced Electronics Packaging Digest, a monthly email publication from I-Connect0007 that explores cutting-edge research and technology through in-depth conversations, specialized articles, relevant calendar listings, and specially-chosen news items that help us all learn more about how PCB manufacturing is evolving to meet today’s electronics needs. This latest issue covered everything from the IMPACT conference in Taiwan, to UHDI’s impact on interposers and substrates, and the future of sustainable PCB manufacturing. Click here to subscribe.

Chapters in Action: The Electronics Foundation Helps Students Connect, Learn, and Lead
Published November 18

Where would we be without tomorrow’s future leaders learning and leading in their own unique way? Please read “Chapters in Action,” featured in the Fall 2025 issue of Community Magazine, an article about five U.S. college chapters forming forward-thinking partnerships with local industry. These partnerships enable university and high school students to engage directly with industry professionals, gaining hands-on experience, developing in-demand skills, and broadening their career horizons. I’m always inspired by their willingness to get outside the classroom!