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I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
October 13, 2023 | Andy Shaughnessy, Design007 MagazineEstimated reading time: 2 minutes

It was fun while it lasted. The Braves broke dozens of records this year, but the Phillies beat them in four games in the National League Division Series. The Phillies did the same thing last year; they seem to have found our “sweet spot.”
While we’re on the subject of sweet spots, in this week’s Top 5, we start with a conversation with Mike Soble, who explains why SEL and Chemcut have such a great partnership. We have a review of SMTA International, which took place this week in Minneapolis. We also have a conversation with the design team at Monsoon Solutions; they explain how they geared their documentation process to the requirements of IPC standards. Mike Morando explains how to qualify your rigid-flex manufacturer. And we have an announcement about the IPC Checklist, a very useful document that I-Connect007 recently published. Check out the checklist.
Have a great weekend!
Chemcut: Blending Capabilities and Culture
Published October 9
Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories recently installed a variety of Chemcut machines at the new SEL facility in Moscow, Idaho. In this wide-ranging interview, Chemcut’s Mike Soble explains why their partnership with SEL is such a good match for both companies.
SMTA International 2023 Kicks Off In Minneapolis
Published October 11
SMTA International was held this week in Minneapolis, and the I-Connect007 team was there, meeting with the top engineers and managers of the EMS industry. Check out Editor Nolan Johnson’s review of the show, which was co-located with the MDM&A advanced manufacturing show.
A Standards-driven Design Environment
Published October 12
If you’re designing to IPC standards, this interview is for you. The design bureau Monsoon Solutions has set up its internal documentation systems around the relevant IPC standards, and Jen Kolar and Cory Grunwald walk us through the details.
Selecting a Rigid-flex Manufacturer
Published October 9
With rigid-flex circuits popping up in every segment of the market now, more PCB designers are moving into rigid-flex design every year. In this article, PFC Flexible Circuits’ Mike Morando discusses what you need to know before you start your search for a rigid-flex fabrication partner.
IPC Checklist Has It All
Published October 12
Speaking of standards, I-Connect007 has just published the IPC Checklist, a handy document that explains which standards cover each segment of the industry, from design through assembly, and much more. This document should be required reading for all new hires.
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Klaus Koziol - atgSuggested Items
The Global Electronics Association Hosts Successful WorksAsia-AI and Factory of the Future Technical Seminar
09/03/2025 | Global Electronics AssociationOn August 22, 2025, the Global Electronics Association hosted the successful WorksAsia-AI and Factory of the Future Technical Seminar during the exhibition Automation Taipei 2025. The seminar brought together 81 representatives from 58 companies, focusing on the latest applications of AI in smart factories and unveiling four key directions that will drive the electronics industry’s transition toward intelligence and sustainability.
Standard of Friendship: Debbie McDade and Symon Franklin Went From Classmates to Colleagues
08/27/2025 | Debbie McDade, Advanced Rework Technology Ltd.As a fairly new IPC Master Trainer, I nervously attended my first IPC committee meeting in 2002 in New Orleans—a 4,600-mile trip from my home in the UK—for the IPC-610 Task Group. With more than 250 members, it was the largest IPC committee at that time.
Securing the Future: The Battle for America's Flat Panel Display Industry
08/12/2025 | Marcy LaRont, I-Connect007The production and sourcing of flat panel displays have become a focal point of concern, particularly regarding national security. In this interview, Jim Will, executive director of the U.S. Partnership for Assured Electronics (USPAE), provides insights into the essential role of liquid crystal displays (LCDs) in both defense systems and everyday technology. Their conversation delves into the implications of America's dependence on Chinese manufacturers for these critical components, raising alarms about supply chain vulnerabilities amidst rising geopolitical tensions.
Global Excellence in PCB Design: The Global Electronics Association Expands to Italy
08/07/2025 | Global Electronics AssociationIn today's rapidly evolving electronics industry, printed circuit boards (PCBs) serve as the critical backbone influencing the success, reliability, and time-to-market of countless products. Recognizing this essential role, the Global Electronics Association (formerly IPC), a worldwide leader in electronics standards, certification, and education, is now expanding its internationally acclaimed PCB design training to Italy.
Dana on Data: Best Practices in Interpreting Drawing Notes—‘Use Latest Revision’
08/07/2025 | Dana Korf -- Column: Dana on DataThe global nature of electronics manufacturing requires clear, consistent, and precise communication, particularly in technical documentation. An area where miscommunication often arises is in interpreting drawing notes—small lines of text with the potential to dramatically impact product quality, manufacturing efficiency, and customer satisfaction.