Flexible Thinking Flexible Circuit Technology—Looking Back and Forward
Happy’s Tech Talk #29: Bend-to-Install Semi-flex FR-4
Connect the Dots: Five Best Practices for Designing Flex and Rigid-flex PCBs
I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
May 17, 2024 | Andy Shaughnessy, Design007 MagazineEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
Trade show season is wrapping up as we move into summer. But we’re not finished yet.
This week, trade shows are at the top of our feed, with our coverage of the Del Mar Electronics and Manufacturing Show and IPC APEX EXPO. These two longtime events are almost polar opposites in size and scope, but Del Mar seems to be expanding from its roots as a “neighborhood gathering” with its move into the Del Mar Fairgrounds. The Del Mar show always has a good “buzz factor,” which is something you can’t buy.
This week, we also have several articles on supply chain security and materials. And if you’ve ever wondered why dielectric constant is so important to so many stakeholders in this industry, you’re in luck.
I hope you all get a chance to take a few days off and get away from work for a while. Have a good weekend!
A Review of the 2024 Del Mar Electronics and Manufacturing Show
Published May 15
The Del Mar Electronics and Manufacturing Show is one of the smaller trade shows, but it has a huge following. Some attendees say that the Del Mar show feels like a local farmers market, which is a turn of phrase that you’ll never hear regarding IPC APEX EXPO, DesignCon, or productronica. But this year, the show moved into the Del Mar Fairgrounds near San Diego, with 350 exhibitors. Is Del Mar on its way to becoming a big show? Read on.
Relive the Experience: Real Time with… IPC APEX EXPO 2024 Show & Tell Magazine
Published May 16
If you missed IPC APEX EXPO this year, we’ve got you covered. The 2024 edition of Show & Tell Magazine has complete coverage of the show in Anaheim. I’m mentioning this because we all put a lot of work into this in the weeks after IPC APEX EXPO, and it looks really good. Download your free copy now.
Fresh PCB Concepts: Navigating Supply Chain Security and Traceability Through Standards
Published May 16
Supply chain security is a huge challenge in electronics manufacturing, one that gets more complex every year. Other than due diligence, what can an OEM do to keep substandard and counterfeit parts out of the supply chain? As Jan Pedersen says, a couple of IPC standards lay out guidelines that explain how to do exactly that, and these standards are underutilized right now. Check it out.
American Made Advocacy: What About the Rest of the Technology Stack?
Published May 14
Two years ago, the CHIPS Act provided a much-needed shot of investment to the U.S. semiconductor industry. But what about the rest of the technology stack? As Travis Kelley points out, American companies provide less than 1% of the world’s IC substrates and 4% of the PCBs. If we don’t make some changes soon, these newly minted American chips will be manufactured on Asian IC substrates and PCBs.
Material Insight: The Dielectric Constant of PCB Materials
Published May 17
If you’ve been in this industry for a while, you’ve probably heard about dielectric constant (Dk) at one time or another. But what does it mean, and why should you care? Our columnist Preeya Kuray has a Ph.D. in material science, and she explains—in layman’s terms—what Dk is and why PCB designers and manufacturers spend so much time studying a material’s Dk.
Share on:
Suggested Items
One World, One Industry: IPC APEX EXPO 2025 Marks a Special Anniversary Year
03/06/2025 | John Mitchell -- Column: One World, One IndustryThis year marks the 25th anniversary of IPC APEX EXPO and IPC is thrilled to celebrate this event milestone with attendees, exhibitors, and presenters. Their dedication to and involvement in IPC APEX EXPO is directly responsible for its success and their efforts clearly illustrate how the entire electronics manufacturing industry comes together to “Reimagine the Possibilities of Electronics” (our theme for this year).
Nolan’s Notes: Your Golden Ticket
03/03/2025 | Nolan Johnson -- Column: Nolan's NotesWelcome to the IPC APEX EXPO 2025 preview edition. If you’re going to Anaheim for this event, consider this issue of SMT007 Magazine to be part of your planning for the show— your golden ticket, if you will. If you’re not making the trip, perhaps this content can help you make the case for why you should.
Target Condition: ‘Boomer to Zoomer: Do You Copy?’
03/04/2025 | Kelly Dack -- Column: Target ConditionLet’s just admit it. The baby boomer PCB designers are looking at retirement, but it’s been a good run. In the 1980s, many of us still “taped out” our PCB artwork layers and then drove them over to the graphic art service to be photo-reduced onto film positives and negatives. Then, almost overnight, the PCB design industry changed.
Electrical Wire Processing Technology Expo Named in Trade Show Executive’s Top 100 List of Fastest Growing Shows of 2024
02/27/2025 | IPCIPC/WHMA and Baird Center announce that for the second consecutive year, Electrical Wire Processing Technology Expo (EWPTE) has been recognized as a top 100 fastest growing show in the United States for net square footage and number of exhibiting companies by Trade Show Executive.
It's Only Common Sense: Maximizing the Five Stages of Your Trade Show Exhibit
02/26/2025 | Dan Beaulieu -- Column: It's Only Common SenseI have been advocating for trade shows for years. I know they’re not cheap. Booth space, travel, hotels, promotional materials, and time away from the office can add up quickly. But they are one of the most significant investments your company will make in marketing and sales. If done right, trade shows can be a gold mine of opportunity to gain leads, build relationships, and showcase your business to the world.