I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
August 2, 2024 | Andy Shaughnessy, I-Connect007Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
This week, we bring you a veritable smorgasbord of news, columns and articles from the past week.
After getting stuck in an airport during the Crowdstrike outage, our colleague Nolan Johnson has a review of the first-ever THECA trade show in Bangkok, Thailand. We have a column by Matt Stevenson on drilling optimization, and an interview with Schmoll America President Kurt Palmer about what it takes to thrive in this industry. We have an article by SMTA’s Tara Dunn that focuses on the organization’s educational offerings, and news about All Flex joining the PCBAA.
It's been a busy week. I hope you all have a great weekend!
Impressions from THECA 2024
Published July 31
Our weary editor Nolan Johnson brings us his review of the inaugural Thailand Electronic Circuits Asia trade show. Nolan had the bad luck to be heading to the airport when the Crowdstrike snafu first began, turning his already-long trip to Bangkok into a three-day ordeal. He says it was all worth it, and THECA drew a pretty good crowd of attendees, many looking to Thailand for its China+1 potential. Check it out.
Connect the Dots: Navigating the Intricacies of PCB Drilling
Published August 1
Drilling is a fairly simple operation, but it can be one of the most complex tasks in the PCB fabrication cycle. In this column, Matt Stevenson offers various tips and tricks that can streamline your PCB drilling, beginning with pre-drilling planning and preparations.
Schmoll America: Thriving in the Global PCB Market
Published July 31
Is your business thriving? What does it take to thrive in this industry? In this interview with Marcy LaRont, Kurt Palmer, president of Schmoll America, discusses what it takes to not only survive, but thrive.
Training and Education in the Electronics Industry
Published July 31
With many of the “silverbacks” in our industry heading toward retirement, educational resources are in high demand now. Tara Dunn, director of training and education for SMTA, walks us through the organization’s educational offerings, including webinars, in-person classes, technical papers, and much more.
The PCBAA Accepts All Flex Solutions as Newest Member
Published July 31
PCBAA was founded just a few years ago, but it’s been on a continuous growth path, with more companies joining the organization in its mission to advocate for U.S. PCB companies. Flexible circuit maker All Flex Solutions is the latest company to join the organization, which now numbers 61 PCB U.S. manufacturers.
Suggested Items
Fresh PCB Concepts: The Journey of a PCB—A Tale of Sustainability and Circularity
09/12/2024 | Team NCAB -- Column: Fresh PCB ConceptsImagine a bustling factory floor where hundreds of PCBs hum with potential, each one destined to be the brain of a new electronic device. From the sleek smartphone in your pocket to the intricate systems in electric vehicles, PCBs are the unsung heroes of our digital world. But have you ever wondered what happens to these tiny powerhouses when their work is done? The journey of a PCB doesn’t end when a device reaches the end of its life. In fact, that’s where the next chapter begins—a chapter that’s critical for our environment and our future.
American Standard Circuits to Exhibit at Empire Expo & Tech Forum 2024
09/12/2024 | American Standard CircuitsAmerican Standard Circuits will be exhibiting at the Empire Expo & Tech Forum 2024 to be held at the DoubleTree By Hilton Syracuse, East Syracuse, New York on Thursday, September 26, 2024.
PSA ELNA Inaugurates New PCB Manufacturing Facility in Penang
09/11/2024 | PSA ELNAELNA PCB(M) SDN. BHD., a global supplier of printed circuit board (PCBs) and a subsidiary of Global Brands Manufacture under the PSA Group, announced the opening of its second state-of-the-art plant in Penang, Malaysia.
Beyond Design: Integrated Circuit to PCB Integration
09/11/2024 | Barry Olney -- Column: Beyond DesignTechnologies such as artificial intelligence, autonomous cars, smartphones, and wearable devices are significantly transforming the semiconductor industry. The miniaturization trend drives the IC footprint to an even smaller profile, requiring tighter margins. From the PCB designer’s perspective, smaller form factors are achievable, making devices more compact and lightweight. But double-sided SMT placement, reduced routing channels, and high-speed constraints create multiple challenges for designers. However, there are some advantages to miniaturization: shorter interconnects between the IC and the PCB reduce signal loss and electromagnetic interference. High-speed digital signals in the GHz range benefit from reduced parasitics.
TTM Selects Lamination Press From Lauffer and all4-PCB for New Syracuse Facility
09/10/2024 | all4-PCBall4-PCB is pleased to announce that TTM Technologies has chosen Lauffer GmbH & Co., Germany to supply the automated multilayer press system for TTM’s new facility in Syrcause, New York. The system will include hot and cold presses, storage towers, lay-up and depinning stations.