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Focus on the New
January 5, 2018 | Stephen Las Marias, I-Connect007Estimated reading time: 1 minute

Hello, 2018! Wow, it seems like it wasn’t too long ago when I was writing about the optimism of the electronics manufacturing and assembly industry going into 2017. Now, here we are again at the beginning of the new year, looking at new trends, disruptive technologies, and emerging markets for 2018.
First things first!
I am sure you have noticed our name has changed from SMT Magazine to SMT007 Magazine. Not only did we update our magazine’s name, we also refreshed the interior pages of the publication, as well. As an I-Connect007 publication, SMT007 Magazine fits nicely with our other publications, which also carry through with the naming convention starting this month: PCB007 Magazine and Design007 Magazine. We hope you enjoy this fresh new look.
What else have we been up to?
Last month, our team attended the HKPCA & IPC Show in Shenzhen, China, to talk to industry leaders in the PCB supply chain about trends and technologies to watch for in the coming year.
The consensus is that everyone’s excited about the continuing growth in the electronics assembly industry. Last year, the industry was beset with the copper foil shortage. While the same shortage can be expected this year, given the strong growth of the automotive electronics industry, manufacturers and suppliers remain bullish that this same growth will fuel other aspects of the electronics manufacturing industry.
Show attendees and vendors were also generally excited about 5G, highlighting the pilot deployment of the first 5G network at the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea. Other notable technologies with expected growth include medical electronics, and the proliferation of devices for the Internet of Things (IoT).
This Month’s Lineup
In this issue, we have taken a close look at the many facets and considerations associated with investing in new equipment. Do you buy new equipment just to say you have the latest systems in your processing lines? Of course not. But what are the key reasons that will drive you to invest in new equipment, and what decision process goes on behind the scenes that justifies your investment in these new machines?
To read the full version of this article, which appeared in the January 2018 issue of SMT007 Magazine, click here.
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Rachael Temple - AlltematedSuggested Items
Statement from the Global Electronics Association on the July 2025 Tariff on Copper Foil and Electronics-Grade Copper Inputs
07/31/2025 | Global Electronics AssociationWe are disappointed by today’s decision to impose a 50% tariff on imported copper foil and other essential materials critical to electronics manufacturing in the United States.
Considering the Future of Impending Copper Tariffs
07/30/2025 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamThe Global Electronics Association is alerting industry members that a potential 50% tariff on copper could hit U.S. electronics manufacturers where it hurts.
Connect the Dots: Sequential Lamination in HDI PCB Manufacturing
07/31/2025 | Matt Stevenson -- Column: Connect the DotsAs HDI technology becomes mainstream in high-speed and miniaturized electronics, understanding the PCB manufacturing process can help PCB design engineers create successful, cost-effective designs using advanced technologies. Designs that incorporate blind and buried vias, boards with space constraints, sensitive signal integrity requirements, or internal heat dissipation concerns are often candidates for HDI technology and usually require sequential lamination to satisfy the requirements.
OKI Launches Rigid-Flex PCBs with Embedded Copper Coins Featuring Improved Heat Dissipation for Space Equipment Applications
07/29/2025 | BUSINESS WIREOKI Circuit Technology, the OKI Group’s printed circuit board (PCB) business company, has developed rigid-flex PCBs with embedded copper coins that offer improved heat dissipation for use in rockets and satellite-mounted equipment operating in vacuum environments.
Designers Notebook: Basic PCB Planning Criteria—Establishing Design Constraints
07/22/2025 | Vern Solberg -- Column: Designer's NotebookPrinted circuit board development flows more smoothly when all critical issues are predefined and understood from the start. As a basic planning strategy, the designer must first consider the product performance criteria, then determine the specific industry standards or specifications that the product must meet. Planning also includes a review of all significant issues that may affect the product’s manufacture, performance, reliability, overall quality, and safety.