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Current IssueThe Hole Truth: Via Integrity in an HDI World
From the drilled hole to registration across multiple sequential lamination cycles, to the quality of your copper plating, via reliability in an HDI world is becoming an ever-greater challenge. This month we look at “The Hole Truth,” from creating the “perfect” via to how you can assure via quality and reliability, the first time, every time.
In Pursuit of Perfection: Defect Reduction
For bare PCB board fabrication, defect reduction is a critical aspect of a company's bottom line profitability. In this issue, we examine how imaging, etching, and plating processes can provide information and insight into reducing defects and increasing yields.
Voices of the Industry
We take the pulse of the PCB industry by sharing insights from leading fabricators and suppliers in this month's issue. We've gathered their thoughts on the new U.S. administration, spending, the war in Ukraine, and their most pressing needs. It’s an eye-opening and enlightening look behind the curtain.
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I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
June 21, 2024 | Marcy LaRont, PCB007 MagazineEstimated reading time: 3 minutes

He’s back, and in splendid form. Pete’s Starkey’s coverage of the EIPC Summer Conference, which took place June 4-5 at the European Space Centre, The Netherlands, is top notch. Joan Tourné from NextGIn Technologies emphasized that our attention must be focused on the interconnection ability of our PCBs and highlights VeCS as an alternative to the traditional plated-through-hole approach. Finally, Martyn Cauwe of IMEC discusses environmental impact and specifically, the need for a better, parametric approach to quantifying it, something European businesses are being required to do on the regular. Reading Pete’s reviews is almost as good as being there. Check out his Part 1 coverage here.
Looking Into Space: EIPC Summer Conference, Part 2
Published June 18
This second-day write-up of the conference, themed, “Innovative Development of PCB Technology and Design,” kicked off with a compelling presentation by Dr. Evelyne Parmentier, research and development engineer with Dyconex, who broached the question, “Why aren’t we including more of the elements (metals) in the periodic table in our manufacturing?” This was followed by a discussion on sputtering as an alternative method of metalization, something of great interest to many of us.
American Made Advocacy: Changing Leadership and Three Years of Advocacy in D.C.
Published June 18
Travis Kelly, CEO of Isola and the first chair of PCBAA, signs off in his final column this month as he turns the PCBAA reigns over to Shane Whiteside of Summit Interconnect. Recollecting the last three years of advocacy work of which he and PCBAA have been a critical part, he highlights all that remains to be done and how important it is for business leaders to have their voices heard. As he bids Mr. Whiteside much success in this role, he calls out to all industry members to become involved in helping to create a more balanced global supply chain where U.S. businesses and interests can prosper.
Traditional Materials, High-Frequency Boards?
Published June 18
This interview with PCB design guru Kris Moyer and the former CTO for Isola Ed Kelly is an energetic and informational discussion about the evolution of PCB materials and the cross-over we are seeing today between high-speed digital designs and PCB designs for RF applications. RF materials are no longer the only go-to material solution when dealing with RF attributes in a PCB design. Today, this is the middle ground, utilizing and blending different resin systems to achieve low loss and target Dks. This is a great read.
The Critical Role of Materials
Published June 19
As a PCB fabricator, managing your inventory, especially your laminate inventory, is a critical piece for achieving and maintaining financial success in business. If you do everything else right and do this wrong, you will negatively affect your bottom line. In this article from PCB007 Magazine’s May issue, Anaya Vardya of American Standard Circuit shares his approach and best practices regarding this essential part of operations. When managing high-tech, high-mix, low-volume production, the criticality of great supplier relationships and managing necessary risk are all covered in this in-depth interview.
Manufacturing Industry's Path to Innovation and Efficiency Lies in Exponential IT, Says Info-Tech Research Group
Published June 18
Sometimes, a news item resonates deeply with our readers, and this announcement by the Info-Tech Research Group did just that. Speaking to the seemingly incessant search for good information and data that may provide clarity for our business futures, this article showcases the reality that achieving innovation is increasingly and inextricably linked to one’s investment and engagement in IT or technology. Of course, leveraging AI capabilities comes immediately to mind. “Exponential IT,” as it is called in this study, is not the IT of yesteryear. As with all things, strategy will be key in how technology will be used optimally to the greatest advantage and success of manufacturing businesses. This is a quick read focused on your IT management, but if you are a business leader or stakeholder, it is worth two minutes of your time.
Suggested Items
Murray Percival Company Welcomes CeTaQ to Its Line Card, Optimizing SMT Processes for PCB Manufacturers
07/03/2025 | Murray Percival CompanyThe Murray Percival Company, a trusted supplier to the Midwest's electronics industry, is pleased to announce that it has added CeTaQ to its line card, a global expert in Surface Mount Technology (SMT) measurement systems.
Why I Finally Embraced Autorouting
07/03/2025 | Stephen V. Chavez, Siemens EDAHere is a common misconception held by those who don’t fully understand the PCB layout process or how to wield today’s high-level EDA tools: "All I need to do is push the autorouter button, let the computer route all the signal traces, and get the layout 100% routed. It’s a no-brainer. Anyone can do it. It should take less than a few hours.”
China Plus One, Part 3: Inorsen Group, a Vietnam Success Story
07/03/2025 | Manfred Huschka, Manfred Huschka Management Consulting (Shenzhen) Ltd.In recent years, Western OEMs have continued to push for China Plus One factories and the advancement of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). At present, there are two main modes for PCB companies to go global: building greenfield factories or through mergers and acquisitions (M&A). Thailand is currently the primary geographic choice to build greenfield factories, whereas, increasingly, mergers and acquisitions in Vietnam and Malaysia provide opportunities for companies to expand markets and acquire resources.
Symposium Review: Qnity, DuPont, and Insulectro Forge Ahead with Advanced Materials
07/02/2025 | Barb Hockaday, I-Connect007In a dynamic and informative Innovation Symposium hosted live and on Zoom on June 25, 2025, representatives from Qnity (formerly DuPont Electronics), DuPont, and Insulectro discussed the evolving landscape of flexible circuit materials. From strategic corporate changes to cutting-edge polymer films, the session offered deep insight into design challenges, reliability, and next-gen solutions shaping the electronics industry.
Target Condition: Are Autorouters Friend or Foe?
07/01/2025 | Kelly Dack -- Column: Target ConditionFor PCB designers, just hearing the word “autorouters” can trigger everything from eye rolls to heated debate. We all have stories—some painful, some comical—of boards gone sideways at the hands of an overzealous routing algorithm. But these tools aren’t going away, and frankly, they shouldn’t. Used wisely, they can save some project teams hours or even days. Used blindly, they can cost weeks. So, where do autorouting tools stand today, and is interactive routing the smarter path forward?