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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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IPC Promotes Sydney Xiao to President of Asia Operations
January 12, 2021 | IPCEstimated reading time: 1 minute
Effective January 1, 2021, IPC has promoted Sydney Xiao to president of Asia Operations. Xiao succeeds Philip Carmichael, who served as president of IPC’s Asia Operations from July 2015 to his retirement in December 2020.
In her new role, Xiao will lead IPC’s globalization initiative to expand the association’s member, standards, education and advocacy support to Greater China, Japan, Korea, Thailand and Vietnam. In addition, she will lead the organization’s Asian operations and staff and will lead strategy development and execution. She will remain at IPC’s China office in Shanghai.
Most recently, Xiao served as vice president of Asia Pacific Operations, overseeing the marketing, customer service, member success, finance, human resources and IT teams and working alongside Carmichael, supported IPC’s member service expansion in Japan, Korea and Southeast Asia. Prior to her vice president position, Xiao served as finance director, IPC Asia Pacific Operations and has been with IPC full time since 2012.
“Sydney is well versed in all aspects of IPC’s business, its products, services, and offerings,” said John Mitchell, IPC president and CEO. “For the past few years, Sydney has worked alongside Phil Carmichael charting a course for success for IPC in Asia. Successes include growth in membership and standards and training participation. We look forward to Sydney’s leadership in expanding IPC’s services further into Asia.”
Xiao has a master’s degree in International Business Administration from Tongji University in Shanghai and a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Shanghai University.
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Julia McCaffrey - NCAB GroupSuggested Items
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.
Building Industry-ready Talent Through Standards-based Education
04/27/2026 | Global Electronics AssociationRecently, Sichuan Modern Vocational College organized 132 students to complete IPC-A-610 Acceptability of Electronic Assemblies Certified IPC Specialist (CIS) training and certification.
Roundtable: Data Protection Lays the Groundwork for Cybersecurity Strategies
04/27/2026 | Nolan Johnson, I-Connect007This multi-expert roundtable explores cybersecurity measures specific to electronics manufacturing. NEC’s Watanabe Hiroyaki, Divyash Patel, CEO of MX2 Technologies, and Ali Pabrai, CEO at EC First, join moderator Nolan Johnson for a deeper discussion on cybersecurity certifications.
Fresh PCB Concepts: Designing PCBs for Harsh Environments—Reliability Is Engineered Upstream
04/23/2026 | Team NCAB -- Column: Fresh PCB ConceptsWhen engineers hear the phrase “harsh environment,” they usually think of the extreme temperature swings, vibration and shock, pressure changes, or radiation in aerospace. However, aerospace is not the only harsh environment where electronic assemblies must survive. Automotive power electronics, downhole oil and gas tools, marine controls, rail systems, defense platforms, and industrial automation equipment all expose PCBs to environments that are equally unforgiving. The stress mechanisms may differ, but the physics does not.
The Right Approach: The End of an Era—DoD Proposes MIL-PRF-31032 Cancellation
04/21/2026 | Steve Williams -- Column: The Right ApproachThe Defense Logistics Agency has initiated formal proceedings to cancel the military's primary performance specification for printed circuit boards, a move that could reshape how the U.S. defense industrial base qualifies and sources one of its most critical electronic components. On March 4, 2026, DLA Weapons Support issued a memorandum to military and industry coordination activities announcing that MIL-PRF-31032, along with its six associated specification sheets, has been proposed for cancellation. A 30-day comment period was allotted, with concurrence or comments due by April 3, 2026.