-
- News
- Books
Featured Books
- smt007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current IssueCertifications
Certifications have historically been seen as a cost of doing business, but how do we turn them into a positive ROI and a value to both customer and vendor?
The Butterfly Effect
The basis of chaos theory is a key concept known as the “butterfly effect.” It’s the idea that a small event in one place creates a cascading set of events elsewhere. So, how is the EMS landscape changing? We’re tracking the concerns and dynamics of this landscape, and there’s a lot to learn.
Coming to Terms With AI
In this issue, we examine the profound effect artificial intelligence and machine learning are having on manufacturing and business processes. We follow technology, innovation, and money as automation becomes the new key indicator of growth in our industry.
- Articles
- Columns
Search Console
- Links
- Events
||| MENU - smt007 Magazine
I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
February 16, 2024 | Marcy LaRont, PCB007 MagazineEstimated reading time: 3 minutes
![](https://iconnect007.com/application/files/9816/9086/9878/Top5_picks.jpg)
It’s been another busy week in the industry. We lost another old friend last week. The EIPC show happened, and Pete Starkey provided us with complete and compelling show coverage, from start to finish. Recently, we posed the question, “When is it time to introduce embedded components into your PCB design?” which was asked and answered by design aficionado Kris Moyers in the latest issue of Design007 Magazine. We are proud to be a part of the exciting Global Insights weekly newsletter, which Nolan Johnson and Brian Knier explored in their interview, and we rounded out the week with some big merger news. Here are my picks for the past week’s must-read news items.
Renesas to Acquire PCB Design Software Leader Altium
Published February 15
This is big news by anyone’s metric. With a comprehensive shared vision for an open electronics design system, Altium gains a significant financial “win” with a stock purchase price 34% above Altium’s Feb. 14 closing price, and a cash transaction equity value estimated at just over $9 billion. “I strongly believe that electronics is the single most critical industry to building a smart and sustainable world. Renesas’s visionary leadership and commitment to making electronics accessible to all resonates strongly with Altium. Altium’s vision of industry transformation finds its fullest expression in service of this grand vision of Renesas,” said Aram Mirkazemi, CEO of Altium. How this will affect the PCB design tool landscape, if at all, is unknown at this time, but we will all be watching. This is worth a read.
EIPC Winter Conference 2024, Day 2: A Closer Look at Global Trends
Published Feb. 14
I also picked Pete Starkey’s write-up of the EIPC conference, day 2. I-Connect007 Technical Editor Pete Starkey is one of our most beloved and widely read columnists, and no one is more thorough in their coverage of a conference’s technical content. Taking the reader through all nine presenters for the day covering everything from the great need for non-glass fiber material for the manufacture of high-speed PCBs to additive manufacturing and the demand for inkjet, the day began with a market overview presentation by the greatly respected Dr. Hayao Nakahara and finished with a “Quick Fire Walk In” panel Q&A moderated by EIPC President Alun Morgan. There is a lot here to digest, so grab a cup of coffee and sit down for a good read.
IPC Mourns Loss of Former Vice President of Industry Programs Tony Hilvers
Published Feb. 14
We lost another industry icon last week. Tony Hilvers, who most remember through his long affiliation with IPC as its vice president of industry programs, passed away on Feb. 6. IPC sent out a lovely tribute acknowledging Tony for his 29 years of dedicated service and outlined some of the important achievements Tony helped bring about, including IPC APEX EXPO being named as one of the top 25 fastest-growing trade shows in the United States. To Tony’s family and friends, and all those who knew and loved Tony, the I-Connect007 team offers our deepest condolences. RIP, Tony Hilvers, and thank you for your dedication to this industry.
Every Designer Needs to Understand Embedded
Published Feb. 14
Designing for embedded components. There is no escape from needing to know how best to go about it. Our resident design expert, Kris Moyer, says he sees a lot of interest from students around designing for embedded. When does a designer even want to think about going the way of embedded resistors? Andy Shaughnessy and Kris chat about “best practices, pros and cons, and when it makes sense for designers to start embedding.”
IPC Global Insight Newsletter: It’s Happening Now, for You
Published February 14
Showcasing our partnership with IPC, Nolan Johnson’s interview with IPC’s Brian Knier, vice president and chief marketing officer, announced some exciting news around the Global Insights weekly newsletter. Having recently moved the management of the publication over to the IPC Publishing Group, Knier shares that every detail of this newsletter has been designed with their readers in mind, both IPC members and nonmembers, and underscores the importance of keeping the industry up to date on important IPC activities, especially in government relations and standards development. “There is some new energy around our newsletter; we've recently moved production and support into IPC Publishing Group, which includes the I-Connect007 family of publications,” Brian says. “We feel there is a much stronger partnership in developing the content and supporting our advertisers who want to reach that same audience. We've got some new energy, and that's pretty exciting for us.”
Suggested Items
Enhance Your Electronics Expertise Through IPC Courses in August
07/25/2024 | Corey Lynn, IPCAs the global leader in standards, training, and certification for the electronics industry, IPC is pleased to announce an array of upcoming online instructor-led courses this August. These courses are designed to equip professionals with the latest skills and knowledge required to excel in the ever-evolving field of electronics manufacturing and design. Whether you want to deepen your expertise in PCB design and manufacturing, understand the intricacies of intermetallic compounds, or learn about counterfeit part mitigation, IPC has a course tailored for you.
The Knowledge Base: The Value of Industry Certifications
07/24/2024 | Mike Konrad -- Column: The Knowledge BaseIndustry certifications have become increasingly significant in the modern job market, offering a range of benefits to both individuals and employers. These certifications serve as formal recognitions of expertise and proficiency in specific areas, validating a person's skills and knowledge. In the context of the electronics assembly industry, certifications are particularly valuable, given the technical nature of the work and the rapid advancements in technology.
Tom Edman Leads IPC Board of Directors
07/17/2024 | Marcy LaRont, PCB007 MagazineIPC elected several new board members at IPC APEX EXPO in April, including new Board Chair Tom Edman, CEO of TTM, who assumes the role from Bob Neves, CTO and chair of Microtek Laboratories. Tom and TTM have long been active in many facets of IPC. I caught up with Tom and asked him about his new board appointment, IPC, and the industry he serves. He emphasizes IPC’s work in standards and advocacy as especially important for our industry.
Getting Clear About Certification With Charlie Capers
07/17/2024 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamWalk through the entrance at Zentech Dallas and you’ll see a wall of certification plaques prominently displayed. Beyond being impressive and a point of pride, these certifications tell a story to potential customers: This company is ready to do business. Charlie Capers, former vice president and general manager, shares his insights on quantifying the ROI of certifications. You may not see it on paper, but it’s definitely there. He also talks about his expectations for new hires and shares a case study about the importance of collaborating with your PCB designers.
Winners of 2024 IPC Masters Competition China Announced
07/17/2024 | IPCFrom July 8-10, the 2024 IPC Masters Competition China was successfully held in Pudong, Shanghai. This year’s competition, was the largest in the history of the Greater China region, bringing nearly 400 electronics industry elites from 18 provinces and municipalities.