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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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Trackwise Employees Recognized for Nearly a Centenary of Service
September 29, 2022 | TrackwiseEstimated reading time: 1 minute
With a combined length of service close to 100 years, there’s very little Ben, Mike, Nigel and Marc don’t know about the manufacture of flexible printed circuits.
In an age when the average UK worker will change employer every five years, and the days of securing a job after school and then staying there until pension time are long gone, Trackwise is proud to be able to recognise four important members of the team who have all been with the business for over 20 years. Marc Elleker joined us in 2002, works in the Dark Room and is celebrating 20 years; Mike Prosser, joined us in 1999 and is now Engineering Director, 23 years; Ben Reid joined straight out of school (after a brief foray as a breakfast chef) in 1997 and is now the Drill Room Team Leader with 25 years under his belt; and Nigel Long, Trackwise’ Shop Floor Manager also joined us 25 years ago in 1997.
It’s the people who really make a business successful. Within Trackwise we’ve had births, marriages retirements and unfortunately a couple of deaths, but for those who have been with us from when we were only 8 people, they’re a large part of what really makes us who we are.
It’s difficult for the people who’ve joined us in the last decade or so to really get what we’ve all been through to make the business the success it is. We’ve had floods, fires, a selection of random woes, but then there have also been some amazing successes, achievements and innovations that have made us all proud to work here. Those members of the team who have loyally stayed the distance, it’s to them I extend a huge vote of thanks.
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When Quality Is Personal: The Human Stakes Behind Electronics Reliability
05/06/2026 | Kelly DackIn electronics manufacturing, quality is often discussed in terms of specifications, standards, and process controls, but as industry veteran Doug Pauls reminds us, the stakes are far more human. In this conversation, Doug, a recipient of the Global Electronics Association’s Hall of Fame Award, draws on more than four decades of experience to illuminate the real-world consequences of reliability, where even a single defect can carry profound implications. He brings into sharp focus why quality isn’t just a metric, but a responsibility shared by everyone on the manufacturing floor.
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.
India’s Vasantha Advanced Systems: EMS Success for 30 Years
04/22/2026 | Marcy LaRont, I-Connect007Based in one of India’s premier manufacturing regions, Vasantha Advanced Systems is an EMS provider that has built a reputation for quality, reliability, and long-term customer partnerships, earning repeated recognition from the Indian government through its National MSME Awards. Now, with a full spectrum of capabilities spanning PCB assembly, box build, and wire harness, and a workforce of more than 500, Vasantha is expanding its presence into the U.S. market. At APEX EXPO, I met Dr. Chidambaranathan and learned how this rising global player is positioning itself to meet the evolving needs of North American customers.
April Issue of I-Connect007 Magazine: Beyond the Rulebook
04/14/2026 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamIn this month’s I-Connect007 Magazine, we asked PCB designers, fabricators, and suppliers what it really means to operate without a rulebook. Their perspectives vary, especially between seasoned designers and experienced fabricators, but a common thread emerges: progress depends on pushing boundaries and finding a way forward, even when the path isn’t clear. In many ways, this mindset has always been part of what we do, whether we’ve called it that or not.
Defense Speak Interpreted: Hypersonics Report Back After Six Years of Silence
04/07/2026 | Dennis Fritz -- Column: Defense Speak InterpretedIt’s been six years since my Defense Speaks column about hypersonic weapons. Back then, these weapons were the most sought-after technology as there was little defense for them. They were the cornerstone of the “strike any location on earth within one hour” scenario. Of course, the war in Ukraine, and now the action in Iran, have grabbed the weapons headlines, but hypersonics still play a role and development continues. Here is the update.