Nolan’s Notes: Finding Your Sweet Spot
Standard of Excellence: Delivering Excellence—A Daily Goal
Knocking Down the Bone Pile: Tin Whisker Mitigation in Aerospace Applications, Part 3
I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
August 28, 2020 | Andy Shaughnessy, Design007 MagazineEstimated reading time: 3 minutes
This week, we have quite a potpourri for you.
We have some good news about the PCB market—not fantastic news, but good. Are you starting to get tired of this back-and-forth with every news cycle?
As this year continues to surprise us at every turn, companies are discovering the true nature of their leaders. Todd Kolmodin has a great column about bosses and leaders and why the two words are not synonymous. Not to be outdone, columnist Barry Olney found a way to explain the wavelength of electromagnetic energy by using a chocolate bar and a microwave oven.
Speaking of leaders, Technical Editor Pete Starkey has quickly become a guru in a brand-new media market. Pete’s webinar reviews are so compelling that you would swear that he was sitting in the room with the presenters and not staring into his laptop. In this week’s article, he breaks down the complex issues surrounding military and defense electronics. Finally, columnist Sagi Reuven explains why even with the best digital data collection processes, humans often trust their instincts instead.
Next week, Nolan Johnson will bring you his five must-reads.
North American PCB Industry Sales up 10.1% in July
Published August 27, 2020
It’s good to see PCB industry sales up 10.1% year-over-year in July. But sales were down 15.7% from the previous month, and bookings were down YOY and from the previous month. The industry is moving in the right direction, but we’re not out of the woods yet. Is anyone else getting dizzy trying to keep up with the PCB market, and markets overall?
Lean Digital Thread: Data-Driven Decisions and Micro-Solutions in Manufacturing
Published August 26, 2020
Sagi Reuven of Siemens Digital Industries started writing for SMT007 within the past year, but he has already amassed a loyal following. Everything he writes brings in big numbers, and this column is no exception. This month, Sagi explains some of the ins and outs of data collection, its translation into actionable information, and why so many company leaders still make decisions based on gut instinct.
iNEMI 2019 Roadmap Webinar Review: Aerospace and Defence Products
Published August 25, 2020
Pete Starkey hit another homer (or ran between the wickets since he’s more of a cricket man) with his review of the iNEMI 2019 Roadmap Webinar. Quite a few of you clicked on Pete’s take on this webinar presented by Grace O’Malley and Marc Carter, which examined the current and future state of military and defense electronics. As Pete points out, there are plenty of positives and negatives in military and aerospace, no matter how you look at it. If you’re interested in volunteering with the group, iNEMI will welcome your input.
Testing Todd: Don’t Be a Boss—Be a Leader
Published August 26, 2020
Todd Kolmodin of Gardien Services USA rang up a lot of clicks on his latest column about the difference between being a boss and a leader. As Todd explains, not all bosses are truly leaders. Leaders will stand up for the team and take fire on their behalf. Is your boss a leader? During these “interesting” times in 2020, many companies in our industry are finding the answer to that question.
Beyond Design: The Wavelength of Electromagnetic Energy
Published August 24, 2020
Barry Olney of In-Circuit Design brought us a great column about the wavelength of electromagnetic energy, illustrated with, of course, a candy bar and a microwave. With that information, he then explained which parts of the PCB are more likely to act as antennas and which layers are more likely to radiate. Quite a few designers and engineers dropped by to read this “sweet” column. (I had to do it.)
Share on:
Suggested Items
S&K Aerospace Awarded Major Contract Under DLA Maritime Acquisition Advancement Program
07/02/2025 | BUSINESS WIRES&K Aerospace, LLC has been awarded a significant contract under the Defense Logistics Agency’s (DLA) Maritime Acquisition Advancement Program, managed by the U.S. Naval Supply Command - Weapon Systems Support (NAVSUP WSS) in Mechanicsburg, PA.
Green Circuits to Exhibit Full-Service Electronics Manufacturing Solutions at 2025 SMD Symposium
07/02/2025 | Green CircuitsGreen Circuits, a full-service Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) partner to leading OEMs, is pleased to announce its participation in the 2025 SMD Symposium, taking place August 5-7 at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Alabama.
I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
06/27/2025 | Nolan Johnson, I-Connect007While news outside our industry keeps our attention occupied, the big news inside the industry is the rechristening of IPC as the Global Electronics Association. My must-reads begins with Marcy LaRont’s exclusive and informative interview with Dr. John Mitchell, president and CEO of the Global Electronics Association. For designers, have we finally reached the point in time where autorouters will fulfill their potential?
Knocking Down the Bone Pile: Tin Whisker Mitigation in Aerospace Applications, Part 3
06/25/2025 | Nash Bell -- Column: Knocking Down the Bone PileTin whiskers are slender, hair-like metallic growths that can develop on the surface of tin-plated electronic components. Typically measuring a few micrometers in diameter and growing several millimeters in length, they form through an electrochemical process influenced by environmental factors such as temperature variations, mechanical or compressive stress, and the aging of solder alloys.
RTX, the Singapore Economic Development Board Sign MOU Outlining 10-year Growth Roadmap
06/20/2025 | RTXRTX and the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which outlines a 10-year roadmap to further long-term strategic collaboration in Singapore.