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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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Prototron Circuits Upgrades Via Fill, Planarization Capabilities
September 14, 2021 | Prototron CircuitsEstimated reading time: 1 minute
Prototron Circuits has expanded their via fill and planarization capabilities by adding an ITC THP32 Via Fill machine and a Pola e Massa Evolution 3000 Planarizer to their via fill equipment room.
Prototron Circuits' President Dave Ryder stated, “We are on track to completely upgrade our facility and adding improved via fill and planarization capability is only the first step. We are in the process of also adding new Schmoll high tech drilling machines to our drill room and a maskless direct imaging system to our imaging department. This is all part of bringing our facility to the next level which will allow us to provide our customers with the latest PCB technology, both today and in the future.”
About Prototron:
With over 30 years in business, Prototron Circuits is one of the industry leaders when it comes to High Technology Quick Turn Printed Circuits boards. Their continued outstanding performance (98%+ Quality and Delivery) has made them a true preferred source of all companies needing reliable QTA PCBs. And now with their new global sourcing solution, Prototron Circuits is truly America’s board source.
Prototron is located in Tucson, Arizona. For more information go to www.prototron.com.
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Brent Fischthal - Koh YoungSuggested Items
TPCA Launches AI-Powered PCB GPT Knowledge Platform
05/15/2026 | TPCAThe Taiwan Printed Circuit Association (TPCA) has launched the "PCB GPT Industry Knowledge Platform," which uses generative AI to connect PCB professional knowledge services and help the industry improve the efficiency of cross-border and professional talent training.
I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
05/15/2026 | Nolan Johnson, I-Connect007When you work in the news business, even in trade media, you can never really get that far away from it. We never want to miss something important. Chances are, even the books we take on our “vacations” end up having to do with the business. For example, my colleague Michelle Te recommended “Creativity, Inc., by Ed Catmull, a business skills study wrapped up in stories about Pixar, which I brought with me on a trip through the stunning U.S. Mountain West. Now, I’m back, and here are my recommendations for the week.
STARTEAM GLOBAL Achieves A Score in CDP’s Supplier Engagement Assessment
05/14/2026 | STARTEAM GLOBALSTARTEAM GLOBAL has achieved an A score in CDP’s Supplier Engagement Assessment (SEA).
Rethinking Stackup, Materials, and Tolerances in Modern Designs
05/14/2026 | Kristin Moyer, Global Electronics AssociationThe simple rectangular rigid PCB is becoming increasingly infrequent. This reality necessitates designing with concepts well outside traditional rigid PCB methodologies. For example, the designer of wearable electronics may need to implement conductive fibers integrated into the textile material. Heads-up displays, like those in VR/AR headsets and glasses, require transparent circuitry etched into the display glass. The process of designing without a rule book usually starts with something other than the traditional board design process.
Separating Fact from Fear on the FCC ‘China Lab Ban’
05/14/2026 | Jan Pedersen, NCAB GroupRecent news headlines have suggested that the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has “banned all testing laboratories in China and Hong Kong.” Understandably, this has created concerns around PCB testing, material approvals, UL listings, and the continued use of established test laboratories in Asia. The good news is that for most PCB, PCB material, and PCBA testing, nothing has changed. Let’s separate fact from fear.