Flexible Thinking: Designing Flex Circuits for Dynamic Reliability
Global PCB Connections: Rigid-flex and Flexible PCBs—The Backbone of Modern Electronics
Happy’s Tech Talk #29: Bend-to-Install Semi-flex FR-4
Summer is almost over, and I’ll be glad to see the mercury drop below 90 degrees here in Atlanta. I hope you got some vacation time in over the Labor Day weekend. We certainly deserve some time off.
But the end of summer also means a new trade show season is around the corner. I hope you’re ready for some great shows ahead. We will be covering PCB West, SMTA International, and PCB Carolina, as well as SMTA Guadalajara Expo & Tech Forum. Do they still serve tequila during lunch at trade shows in Mexico? Not that I care; I’m asking for a friend.
There’s a lot going on in our industry right now. As you’ll see in today’s must-reads, there’s even innovation taking place in drill bit development. We also have articles on cutting costs during the design process, as well as a handy guide to each country’s tech sweet spots, and details on the shift toward automated chemical dosing in wet process. Don’t miss our ode to the CAM department, which is where the rubber meets the road for every PCB.
Advancements in Drill Bit Technology
Published August 29
Drill bits get a bad rap sometimes. Even longtime technologists will often say, “They’re drill bits. What is there to know about them?” Well, as Alex Girardot of Perfect Point Precision Carbide Tools explains in this interview, a new coating technology has almost eliminated drill bit breakage.
The Pulse: Commonsense Cost Cutting
Published August 29
With about 70% of the board’s manufacturing cost controlled by the PCB designer, today’s designers take nothing for granted. Columnist Martyn Gaudion points out a variety of areas that can help or hinder your design’s bottom line, including things that we might not think about, such as the extra energy consumption related to lead-free soldering. Martyn is always a good read.
Fresh PCB Concepts: The Vital Role of Front-end Engineers
Published August 29
Columnist Ryan Miller of NCAB has a cool article that pays homage to the great unsung heroes of our industry: the CAM department. These sentries stand guard at the gates, keep their eyes peeled for barbarians—and inaccurate or incomplete design data packages. Here’s to you, CAM guys and gals!
Global Sourcing Spotlight: A World Full of Product Expertise
Published August 28
It’s a flat world, or so we’re told. But still, some countries are better at building certain things than other countries. In this column, Bob Duke discusses the sweet spots for the countries that make up the majority of the electronics supply chain. From America to Vietnam, this handy little guide has it all. It’s probably being printed out right now by many of our readers. Don’t miss it.
Shifting to Automated Chemical Dosing for Enhanced Control and Safety
Published August 26
Marcy LaRont catches up with Mike Brask of IPS as he explores the shift toward automated chemical dosing in wet process lines for enhanced control, safety, and product reliability. Mike emphasizes that automating chemical dosing reduces variability, ensuring consistent quality and safer working conditions.
