-
- News
- Books
Featured Books
- design007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current IssueMechatronics
Our expert contributors discuss the advent of mechatronics in PCB design, the challenges and opportunities this creates for circuit board designers, and the benefits—to the employee and the company—of becoming a mechatronics engineer.
Creating a Culture of Collaboration
PCB designers could learn quite a bit from NASA and the private companies that develop spacecraft: Every one of these vehicles is a testament to the value of collaboration among disparate stakeholders. Without a collaborative culture, the rocket might never get off the ground.
Breaking High-speed Material Constraints
Do you need specialty materials for your high-speed designs? Maybe not. Improvements in resins mean designers of high-speed boards can sometimes use traditional laminate systems. Learn more in this issue.
- Articles
- Columns
Search Console
- Links
- Events
||| MENU - design007 Magazine
IPC Design Competition: On Your Mark, Get Set, Go!
April 10, 2024 | Andy Shaughnessy, Design007 MagazineEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
![](https://iconnect007.com/application/files/7016/9510/1267/patrick_crawford_300.jpg)
I recently spoke with IPC’s Patrick Crawford, manager of design standards and related industry programs, and Kris Moyer, certified IPC master instructor, about this year’s IPC Design Competition. Now in its third year, the preliminary heat began in January, and the winners will compete in the final heat at IPC APEX EXPO in Anaheim.
I asked Patrick and Kris to discuss the Design Competition, advice for contestants, and why designers should enter next year’s competition. As Kris points out, an open mind and knowledge of IPC standards will go a long way.
Andy Shaughnessy: Patrick, give us an overview of the IPC Design Competition.
Patrick Crawford: The competition was launched in 2022 from a desire to engage with designers in an extracurricular way, outside of standards, development, and work. This is our third year and it’s been successful so far. We opened registration on Jan. 1, and 50 people signed up in the first week, which is really cool. We do two heats—a preliminary and a final heat. The preliminary heat is an at-home design. We provide contestants with a schematic, a bill of materials, a scope of work—it’s all on paper, and we say, “Go forth and read the design, schematic, specs, and requirements.” We expect them to create a fabrication file for us. The few that we've gotten in so far have all been Gerber and the associated manufacturing files, but in theory, they could also give us IPC-2581.
IPC India has its own competition designed a little differently than ours, but we invite their two finalists. They're essentially assessing the same criteria in a different format. We invite the IPC India winner and runner-up, but we only invite three of the top-placing competitors from the prelims to the final heat. Last year, the final heat featured five competitors: two in the room at IPC APEX EXPO and three people calling in. This year, based on travel budgets and some competitors requiring a visa, I it won’t surprise me to have full virtual attendance. But that doesn't matter; we'll still have competitors. Last year, Sathish Vijayakumar from India, won the IPC India competition and eventually the whole shebang. He couldn't be in India's competition this year, so he signed up for our competition. We'll see if he can take the top prize again.
To read this entire conversation, which appeared in the April 2024 issue of Design007 Magazine, click here.
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.