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Elevating PCB Design Engineering With IPC Programs
April 24, 2024 | Cory Blaylock, IPCEstimated reading time: 1 minute
In a monumental stride for the electronics manufacturing industry, IPC has successfully championed the recognition of the PCB Design Engineer as an official occupation by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). This pivotal achievement not only underscores the critical role of PCB design engineers within the technology landscape, but also marks the beginning of a transformative journey toward nurturing a robust, skilled workforce ready to propel our industry into the future.
At the heart of this journey is IPC's unwavering commitment to developing National Program Standards that cater to the intricate needs of electronics manufacturing, emphasizing the importance of a highly trained workforce. The approval of the PCB design engineer occupation by the U.S. DOL is a testament to the collective vision and relentless efforts of countless individuals within the IPC community as well as the industry, which believes in the power of education, training, and standardization.
The PCB design engineer role is foundational to the electronics manufacturing value stream, serving as the linchpin that transforms innovative ideas into tangible, functioning technologies. These engineers are tasked with the intricate design of PCBs, which serve as the backbone for nearly all electronic devices. Their work supports not just the creation of new products but also the enhancement of existing technologies, ensuring they meet the ever-evolving demands of consumers and industries alike.
Recognizing the PCB design engineer as a distinct occupation highlights the specialized skill set these professionals bring to the table. It acknowledges the complexity of their work, which requires a deep understanding of electrical engineering principles, proficiency in design software, and an acute awareness of manufacturing processes and constraints. More importantly, it shines a light on the critical need for tailored training and education programs that can prepare individuals for success in this challenging and rewarding field.
To read this entire article, which appeared in the April 2024 issue of Design007 Magazine, click here.
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05/23/2024 | I-Connect007I-Connect007 is thrilled to announce the release of the latest episode in Series 3 of its popular podcast, On the Line With... , available now on Apple and Spotify.
The Thrill of Victory: IPC Design Competition
05/23/2024 | Michelle Te, I-Connect007The final heat of the 2024 IPC Design Competition took place on Tuesday, April 9, during IPC APEX EXPO. IPC’s Kris Moyer and Patrick Crawford served as judges and onsite supervisors for the event, which featured five competitors—four online and one live at IPC APEX EXPO. The grand prize winner was Dinesh G., followed by Paul Brionez in second place (he placed third last year), Ajeesh Francis in third, and runners-up Joseph Chiu and Harish G (last year’s champion).
Dana on Data: The Insane PCB DFM Process
05/22/2024 | Dana Korf -- Column: Dana on DataThis industry just doesn’t like to change. Line width/space is consistently narrowed; layer counts are now over 120 layers; via diameters constantly shrink. But a fabricator still can’t build per the supplied data package because of design, document, and capability mismatch errors. I have been writing for I-Connect007, and of the 41 articles and interviews I have done, 39 have focused on highlighting designer-to-fabricator data transfer issues with proposed solutions. Little has changed to improve the transfer. This industry seems to accept receiving erroneous PCB data.