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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 APEX EXPO 2021 Offers More than 100 Future-focused Educational Opportunities
February 1, 2021 | IPCEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
Changing technologies, advanced materials and new processes that are driving the electronics manufacturing industry will take center stage throughout the IPC APEX EXPO 2021 technical conference and professional development sessions, which will take place virtually March 8-12. Registration is now open at www.IPCAPEXEXPO.org.
This year’s technical conference will feature more than 70 technical sessions detailing original research and innovations from industry experts around the world. Subject-matter experts will cover hot topics in three tracks: factory of the future implementation; PCB fabrication and materials; and quality, reliability, assembly, test and inspection.
“As the importance of modernization, automation and data exchange in manufacturing grows, designers and engineers need to keep current. Which is why the industry needs the education that IPC APEX EXPO 2021 will offer,” said Matt Kelly, IPC chief technologist and APEX technical conference co-director. “Throughout the conference tracks, attendees will access new research on data analytics, connected factory, cybersecurity, and digital twin; learn more about microvia reliability, PCB design, reliability, and advancements; and advance their skills in automotive electronics, electronics materials, assembly, coating, and printed circuit board assembly design. Industry experts will teach the practical to help attendees succeed at their job,” Kelly added.
IPC APEX EXPO’s half-day professional development courses will blend traditional electronics industry topics with hot-new developments, delivered by corporate technologists, consultants, training center staff and university faculty. Whether it’s advanced courses exploring the details and depth of specific topics, or informative courses catering to engineers ready to improve their careers, attendees can find the right professional development course for their specific role and experience level. Courses will cover: assembly processes; circuit design and component technologies; PCB fabrication and materials; and quality, reliability, test and inspection.
All technical conference sessions and professional development courses will be available via on-demand access 90 days after the event. In addition to educational offerings, IPC APEX EXPO features many free activities, including three keynotes, a live Q&A with keynote speaker and IndustryWeek Editor-in-Chief Travis Hessman who will present on digital transformation. In addition, IPC APEX EXPO 2021 offers exhibitor connections, new product demonstrations, IPC Annual Meeting and awards, virtual escape room, trivia competitions and networking opportunities with IPC Hall of Famers and Emerging Engineer program participants.
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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.
Meet Emerging Engineers: Patrick Owen and Eric Mickenbecker, Summit Interconnect
05/05/2026 | Michelle Te, I-Connect007Patrick Owen and Eric Mickenbecker both work for Summit Interconnect, and are in their second year of the Global Electronics Association’s Emerging Engineer Program with mentor Brian Chislea. They stopped by the I-Connect007 booth at APEX EXPO and shared a bit of their story with me. Patrick has worked at the Hollister, California, plant since 2018, while Eric has been at the Chicago site since 2023. Like many of their peers, they came to the electronics industry from different paths, but are both excited about making an impact.
PCBAA, AAM Take on the Fight to Rebuild U.S. Manufacturing in New Documentary
05/05/2026 | Marcy LaRont, I-Connect007Throughout most of the 20th century, manufacturing was central to the American Dream of providing stable jobs and pathways to upward mobility. Today, more than 80% of global electronics manufacturing capacity resides in China and greater Asia, raising serious concerns about supply chain resilience and national security.