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.
Suggested Items
AEMS: Expanding Del Mar’s Vibe into Anaheim
10/21/2024 | Andy Shaughnessy, Design007 MagazineIn the final hours of the Anaheim Electronics & Manufacturing Show (AEMS), I spoke with show managers Doug Bodenstab and Connor Good. Doug, a longtime surfer, is also the founder and manager of the Del Mar Electronics & Manufacturing Show at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. I asked Doug and Connor to discuss how the Anaheim show got started and the impact it’s making on the industry.
It's Only Common Sense: The Election Isn’t Your Problem
10/21/2024 | Dan Beaulieu -- Column: It's Only Common SenseHow many times have you heard, “We’re just waiting to see how the election turns out before we make any decisions?” Having been in this business for a while, I can tell you that’s nonsense. Blaming your lack of sales or slow customer decisions on the election is the biggest cop-out. It’s an excuse, plain and simple, and one that keeps you from facing the real issues. Here are 10 reasons why the election has nothing to do with it.
I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
10/11/2024 | Andy Shaughnessy, Design007 MagazineThis week’s roundup is a duke’s mixture of news items and interviews with industry experts from design, fabrication and assembly. There’s a lot going on in electronics now. We’ll be bringing you full coverage of SMTA International the week of Oct. 20-24, so stay tuned.
AEMS: Third Time’s the Charm
10/07/2024 | Andy Shaughnessy, Design007 MagazineYou’ve probably heard of the Del Mar Electronics & Manufacturing Show (DMEMS). Since 1995, PCB design and manufacturing technologists have flocked to this seminal event at the Del Mar Fairgrounds near San Diego. Originally a regional show, Del Mar has grown yearly and attracts an outsized group of attendees and exhibitors. So, event founder Doug Bodenstab took his vision northward and launched the Anaheim Electronics & Manufacturing Show (AEMS).
American Standard Circuits to Exhibit at SMTA International Conference and Expo
09/26/2024 | American Standard CircuitsAmerican Standard Sunstone Circuits will be exhibiting at SMTA International 2024, Oct. 22-24, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois.