Global Citizenship: Together for a Perfect PCB Solution
Smart Automation: Odd-form Assembly—Dedicated Insertion Equipment Matters
Nolan’s Notes: Everyone Has Their Eye on India
A Week-long Industry Extravaganza
March 3, 2023 | Happy Holden, I-Connect007Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
We were back in San Diego, maybe for a “long vacation,” as IPC APEX EXPO is in Anaheim next year. Before we get to Anaheim, though, let’s talk about the show: It was a great week.
I spent Sunday and Monday visiting some excellent Professional Development courses. As you know, this is a fast-changing industry, and we have to keep learning to stay ahead. On Monday, I attended the Microvia Weak Interface/Reliability subcommittee, and on Tuesday, the Ultra-HDI Technology Committee. These turned out to be popular, as over 90 people showed up to the Microvia Reliability meeting and around 85 at the UHDI meeting. Those committees may have many new members soon.
Tuesday’s keynote, given by Emily Calandrelli, was particularly inspiring, and you can read more about it here.
On Wednesday, I attended the “DoD Executive Agent for PCB and Interconnect Technology” (PrCB EA) Programs Update. This was very informative, with speakers updating everyone on the various activities of PrCB EA, the Defense Production Act Title III, the Defense Microelectronics Cross-Functional Team, and Marc Carter’s EMTE education outreach. IPC’s Chris Mitchell and Chris Peters of USPAE provided updates on how both organizations are facilitating government/industry cooperation and projects.
Joe O’Neill, Randy Cherry, David Bergman, and Kelly Scanlon finished off this busy session.
I then ran over to listen to a few of the Technical Sessions. All were excellent; choosing which to listen to was difficult.
I finally got down to the show floor and saw some amazing new products and product improvements, including materials, fabrication processing equipment, and SMTA systems. I spent a lot of time at the new India Pavilion as I had once managed a number of computer automation projects for BHEL in India for HP.
Finally, the week was topped off by two new Thursday morning sessions that I can report were outstanding: Matt Kelly's Special Session on Advanced Packaging had over 100 in attendance (with standing room only) and offered many excellent and valuable presentations by some of the industry's most knowledgeable speakers and panelists.
The e-Mobility/EV Automotive special session, hosted by Brian O’Leary and Udo Welzel, was my second session highlight from Thursday. This session was divided into two sections: marketing trends and challenges, and building a supercomputer on wheels. Speakers highlighted the high recalls for EVs due to electronic problems, mainly due to public chargers that struggle in inclement weather, or design weaknesses.
The IPC standard A-610 is just the start, and EVs have different specs and components than cars with internal combustion engines. The technical challenges for EVS are temperature variation, heavy copper PCBs, density requirements, thermal dissipation, electromagnetics, and vibration/shaking requirements.
Happy Holden is a regular columnist for I-Connect007. To read past columns, click here.
Share on:
Testimonial
"In a year when every marketing dollar mattered, I chose to keep I-Connect007 in our 2025 plan. Their commitment to high-quality, insightful content aligns with Koh Young’s values and helps readers navigate a changing industry. "
Brent Fischthal - Koh YoungSuggested Items
Closing the Loop on PCB Etching Waste
09/09/2025 | Shawn Stone, IECAs the PCB industry continues its push toward greener, more cost-efficient operations, Sigma Engineering’s Mecer System offers a comprehensive solution to two of the industry’s most persistent pain points: etchant consumption and rinse water waste. Designed as a modular, fully automated platform, the Mecer System regenerates spent copper etchants—both alkaline and acidic—and simultaneously recycles rinse water, transforming a traditionally linear chemical process into a closed-loop system.
Driving Innovation: Depth Routing Processes—Achieving Unparalleled Precision in Complex PCBs
09/08/2025 | Kurt Palmer -- Column: Driving InnovationIn PCB manufacturing, the demand for increasingly complex and miniaturized designs continually pushes the boundaries of traditional fabrication methods, including depth routing. Success in these applications demands not only on robust machinery but also sophisticated control functions. PCB manufacturers rely on advanced machine features and process methodologies to meet their precise depth routing goals. Here, I’ll explore some crucial functions that empower manufacturers to master complex depth routing challenges.
Trouble in Your Tank: Minimizing Small-via Defects for High-reliability PCBs
08/27/2025 | Michael Carano -- Column: Trouble in Your TankTo quote the comedian Stephen Wright, “If at first you don’t succeed, then skydiving is not for you.” That can be the battle cry when you find that only small-diameter vias are exhibiting voids. Why are small holes more prone to voids than larger vias when processed through electroless copper? There are several reasons.
The Government Circuit: Navigating New Trade Headwinds and New Partnerships
08/25/2025 | Chris Mitchell -- Column: The Government CircuitAs global trade winds continue to howl, the electronics manufacturing industry finds itself at a critical juncture. After months of warnings, the U.S. Government has implemented a broad array of tariff increases, with fresh duties hitting copper-based products, semiconductors, and imports from many nations. On the positive side, tentative trade agreements with Europe, China, Japan, and other nations are providing at least some clarity and counterbalance.
How Good Design Enables Sustainable PCBs
08/21/2025 | Gerry Partida, Summit InterconnectSustainability has become a key focus for PCB companies seeking to reduce waste, conserve energy, and optimize resources. While many discussions on sustainability center around materials or energy-efficient processes, PCB design is an often overlooked factor that lies at the heart of manufacturing. Good design practices, especially those based on established IPC standards, play a central role in enabling sustainable PCB production. By ensuring designs are manufacturable and reliable, engineers can significantly reduce the environmental impact of their products.