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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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EMA Design Automation Sponsors and Supports the PCEA
September 9, 2020 | EMA Design AutomationEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
EMA Design Automation®, a full-service provider and innovator of Electronic Design Automation (EDA) solutions, announced that it will sponsor the newly formed Printed Circuit Engineering Association (PCEA) because of their mutual understanding of the importance of driving awareness and education throughout the PCB industry. “Our collaborative efforts with the PCEA reinforce our main goal that has always been to provide our customers with the right tools and support to address their business needs,” said Manny Marcano, president and CEO of EMA.
The PCEA is an international network of printed circuit engineers that was formed as a means for education and to promote the exchange of information within the PCB industry. Printed circuit engineers need to have a comprehensive understanding of all phases of PCB design from concept, engineering development, and standards implementation to manufacturing (including fabrication), assembly, test, and compliance. EMA and the PCEA both understand this need. EMA has already been diligently supporting engineers with their ongoing educational webinar series, as well as the publication of “The Hitchhiker's Guide to PCB Design,” a free book empowering engineers with the knowledge needed to understand the complexities of the PCB design process.
“PCEA is very excited and grateful to have EMA Design Automation as one of our key industry sponsors to collaborate with as PCEA evolves within the industry and moves forward as an international network of engineers, designers, fabricators, assemblers and anyone related to printed circuit development,” said Stephen V. Chavez, PCEA chairman. “Our mission is to promote printed circuit engineering as a profession by encouraging and facilitating the exchange of information and the integration of new design concepts through communications, seminars, and workshops. This is facilitated by a network of local, regional, virtual PCEA-affiliated chapters and the support of our sponsors.”
“PCB design continues to get more complex, and designers need every advantage they can get to keep up,” added Marcano. “PCEA is the right idea at the right time.”
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Rachael Temple - AlltematedSuggested Items
Advance Your Electronics Expertise in June and July
05/14/2026 | Global Electronics AssociationStay current with design, manufacturing, and quality standards by enrolling in one of these online instructor-led courses starting in June and July from ElectronicsU at the Global Electronics Association, designed to help professionals at every level sharpen their skills and advance their careers. These live, expert-led sessions combine flexibility with real-time interaction, allowing participants to learn directly from seasoned industry professionals while collaborating with peers worldwide. Access to all applicable IPC standards is included in the courses.
The Journey from Dilution to Zero Liquid Discharge
05/11/2026 | Richard Nichols, GreenSource EngineeringIf you’re familiar with the PCB industry, and a little long in the tooth like me, you may remember the cry, “The water board is here!” (or an equivalent authority). This was the signal for a frantic but regularly rehearsed exercise to turn on all the rinses. This anecdote demonstrates that in the early days of PCB production, prevailing practices revolved around a “dilution is the solution” mentality, in which manufacturers used copious amounts of water to dilute contaminants before discharging them into regulated municipal wastewater systems or natural water bodies.
I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
05/08/2026 | Marcy LaRont, I-Connect007This week, I’ve selected some outstanding interviews that you’ll want to take note of. First, is a roundtable discussion featuring three dynamic industry cybersecurity experts. Please watch this important discussion that affects us all. Following that, I spotlight the IPC-2581 Consortium, which explains why IPC-2581 is the standard to replace Gerber data for manufacturing. Next, I am including my interview with PCBAA and AAM, who collaborated to release a short documentary on U.S. PCB manufacturing.
Hall of Fame Spotlight Series: Highlighting Karen McConnell
05/07/2026 | Dan Feinberg, I-Connect007In 2021, Karen McConnell was awarded the Raymond E. Pritchard Hall of Fame award in recognition of her contributions to the Association and the electronics industry. As a senior staff member and CAD/CAM engineer at Northrop Grumman Enterprise Services, her primary responsibility was to develop a common, shared EDM (Electronic Document Management) library to support the electrical and PCB design tool initiatives across Northrop Grumman Mission Systems.
A Necessary Shift From Gerber to IPC-2581
05/07/2026 | Tracy Riggan, Global Electronics AssociationIPC-2581 is an open, vendor-neutral data exchange standard developed by the Global Electronics Association to streamline the exchange of PCB design information across fabrication, assembly, and test. It replaces multiple legacy formats—including industry standards, Gerber, and ODB++—with a single, comprehensive, XML-based dataset that captures all manufacturing details.