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I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
December 9, 2022 | Andy Shaughnessy, Design007 MagazineEstimated reading time: 2 minutes

We’re into December, and the new year is around the corner. Things are looking pretty good for our industry. Trade show attendance is back up to pre-COVID levels, and a lot of companies are having banner years. Has the virtual trade show gone the way of the dodo bird? Let’s hope!
This week, our must-reads include articles and news items on the decline of R&D, STEM education for kids, why vias do not heat up, the need for more DFT, and the lack of movement toward intelligent data transfer. Designers just love their Gerbers, but Dana Korf has a few ideas about how to make Gerbers obsolete.
Have a good weekend!
R&D Takes Back Seat Amidst Chip Shortage—But It Shouldn’t
Published December 8
R&D has been in a precarious position ever since the demise of the old captive system, and the recent supply chain brouhaha has put a squeeze on the remaining research and development. Malcolm Thompson of NextFlex explains why this doesn’t have to be the case, and what can be done to get the white-coated folks in this industry back to their microscopes.
Dana on Data: PCB Data Transfer Non-evolution
Published December 8
Columnist Dana Korf has made it his mission to spearhead the switch to intelligent data transfer, since many of the errors found by CAM are the result of inefficient data transfer. In this column, Dana points out that many PCB designers are now transferred on scanned copies of paper documents, and he offers a few suggestions for ways to jump-start the move to a completely intelligent data transfer.
Siemens’ Hour of Engineering to Spark Middle School Interest in STEM
Published December 7
We always say, “Get the kids interested in STEM when they’re young.” Well, Siemens is doing just that, taking their show on the road to middle schools. At 11 and 12 years old, they’re able to grasp concepts like this, and it just might get them thinking about a career in STEM as they go through high school and college. And they can probably sit through one hour. We need to do more to reach the K-12 students.
Electronics vs. Physics: Why Vias Don’t Get Hot
Published December 6
Why don’t vias get hot? It seems like they would heat up, since they connect multiple layers full of traces that do heat up. But that’s not the case, as Doug Brooks and Johannes Adam report in this article. They explain why vias don’t heat up, why thermal vias don’t work, and which parts of IPC-2152 are out of date regarding vias and temperatures. You might wind up understanding Joule heating!
The Test Connection: Spreading the Word About DFT
Published December 7
The drive for DFT is picking up steam now, after years of being seen as an unnecessary option. Increasing signal speeds and shrinking features have made DFT a necessity now. At PCB Carolina, I spoke with Bert Horner of The Test Connection about the need for designers to keep test in mind, and why DFT can’t be considered an afterthought for most of today’s designs.
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Creating Connections in Mexico
07/30/2025 | Michelle Te, Community MagazineA concerted effort by the Global Electronics Association—Mexico team over the past year has created inroads for the Global Electronics Association (formerly IPC) with leading electronics companies, government offices, and academic institutions in Mexico. “Our goal is to bring more awareness to what the Global Electronics Association is and what it offers,” says Lorena Villanueva, senior director. “We also aim to increase our membership. Of 3,200 members of the Global Electronics Association, only 180 are in Mexico.”
Powering Progress: Summer 2025 Community Magazine Now Available
07/22/2025 | Community MagazineIn the new Summer 2025 edition of Community Magazine, members of the Global Electronics Association demonstrate what progress really looks like—through innovation on the factory floor, influence on public policy, and investment in the next generation of engineers.
TRI to Exhibit at SMTA Queretaro Expo 2025
07/16/2025 | TRITest Research, Inc. (TRI), the leading provider of test and inspection systems for the electronics manufacturing industry, is pleased to announce plans to exhibit at the SMTA Querétaro Expo 2025, scheduled to take place on July 24, 2025, at the Querétaro Centro de Congresos y Teatro Metropolitano.
Global PCB Connections: Let the Spec Fit the Board, Not Just the Brand
07/17/2025 | Jerome Larez -- Column: Global PCB ConnectionsIf you’ve ever seen an excellent PCB quote delayed, or worse, go cold because of a single line on the fab print, you’re not alone. Often, that line reads something like, “Use 370HR only,” or “IT-180A required.” These and other brand-name materials are proven performers, but unless your design needs that specific resin system (say, for RF performance, thermal reliability, or stringent CAF resistance), you may inadvertently be holding your job hostage.
IPC Hall of Fame Spotlight Series: Highlighting Lionel Fullwood
07/15/2025 | Dan Feinberg, I-Connect007Many IPC members who have contributed significantly to IPC and our industry have been awarded the IPC Raymond E. Pritchard Hall of Fame (HOF) Award. Though many early HOF members have passed away and are unknown to today’s IPC membership, their contributions still resonate. This special series on IPC Hall of Fame members provides a reminder of who was honored and why. As a bonus, for those who are still around, we get to find out what these talented individuals are up to today.