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August Design007 Magazine: PCB Design Cost Drivers
August 8, 2024 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamEstimated reading time: Less than a minute

Because 70 percent of the manufacturing costs of a product are determined in the design cycle, every decision a designer makes has some effect–good or bad–on the manufacturing cost, as well as the cost of the final product.
Fortunately, cost adders can be kept at bay: Designers can employ hundreds of tips, tricks, and techniques to keep costs down.
In this month’s issue of Design007 Magazine, our expert contributors explain the impact of cost drivers on PCB designs and the need to consider a design budget. They discuss the myriad design cycle cost adders—hidden and not so hidden—and ways to add value. When every decision has ramifications downstream, the more you know, the better.
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Rachael Temple - AlltematedSuggested Items
I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
08/15/2025 | Marcy LaRont, I-Connect007In our industry, my top reads include Prashant Patel’s overview and argument for reshoring, which I found to be a great general overview and breakdown. In further support of the onshoring/reshoring message, I’m highlighting Nolan Johnson’s interview on the survey and report by the Reshoring Initiative. Check out my interview with USPAE’s Jim Will on the state of the flat panel display (FPD) industry and the risks associated with it for U.S. defense and critical infrastructure products.
Global Electronics Industry Remains Under Pressure from Rising Costs
08/04/2025 | Global Electronics AssociationThe global electronics manufacturing supply chain remains under pressure from rising costs, with 61% of firms reporting higher material costs and 54% noting increased labor expenses. according to the Global Electronics Association’s Sentiment of the Global Electronics Manufacturing Supply Chain Report.
Statement from the Global Electronics Association on the July 2025 Tariff on Copper Foil and Electronics-Grade Copper Inputs
07/31/2025 | Global Electronics AssociationWe are disappointed by today’s decision to impose a 50% tariff on imported copper foil and other essential materials critical to electronics manufacturing in the United States.
Direct Metallization: A Sustainable Shift in PCB Fabrication
07/31/2025 | Jim Watkowski, Harry Yang, and Mark Edwards, MacDermid Alpha Electronics SolutionsThe global electronics industry is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by the need for more resilient supply chains and environmentally sustainable manufacturing practices. Printed circuit boards (PCBs), the backbone of interconnection for electronic devices, are at the center of this shift. Traditionally, PCB fabrication has relied heavily on electroless copper, a process that, while effective, is resource-intensive and environmentally hazardous. In response, many manufacturers are turning to direct metallization technologies as a cleaner, more efficient alternative.
Considering the Future of Impending Copper Tariffs
07/30/2025 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamThe Global Electronics Association is alerting industry members that a potential 50% tariff on copper could hit U.S. electronics manufacturers where it hurts.