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Current IssueFueling the Workforce Pipeline
We take a hard look at fueling the workforce pipeline, specifically at the early introduction of manufacturing concepts and business to young people in this issue of PCB007 Magazine.
Inner Layer Precision & Yields
In this issue, we examine the critical nature of building precisions into your inner layers and assessing their pass/fail status as early as possible. Whether it’s using automation to cut down on handling issues, identifying defects earlier, or replacing an old line...
Engineering Economics
The real cost to manufacture a PCB encompasses everything that goes into making the product: the materials and other value-added supplies, machine and personnel costs, and most importantly, your quality. A hard look at real costs seems wholly appropriate.
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I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
September 27, 2024 | Nolan Johnson, I-Connect007Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

If you know Dave Hoover of TTM, then I am honored to inform you that he has retired from the industry as of this week. Dave and I met about six years ago, at a conference, when we were introduced by my colleague Andy Shaughnessy. We quickly established a shared love for American blues music; we even had mutual music industry friends. Dave has been a wealth of industry knowledge for me, just as he has influenced so many of us throughout the years. I’m sure I speak for all who know him that he’ll be missed in the industry. But we can keep tabs on him through his weekly online blues radio program “Groovy Hoovy’s Different Shades of Blue Radio and Video Show.” Congratulations on your transition to “civilian” life, Dave.
This week’s editor’s picks are a real potpourri of industry news items and a bonus column. There's a lot happening in our segment of the electronics world. We'll be covering the Anaheim Electronics Manufacturing Show next week, PCB West after that, followed up by SMTA International. We hope to see you there.
Biden-Harris Administration Announces First CHIPS Award to Polar Semiconductor, Establishing U.S. Foundry
Published September 25
The CHIPS Act money is starting to roll out. In this case, the funds will be used to expand and update the fab in Bloomington, Minnesota. Undoubtedly there will be more news like this in coming weeks and months, and we’ll bring you that news. It will be interesting to see just how much impact the CHIPS investment will have on U.S. manufacturing.
Connect the Dots: Designing for Reality: Outer Layer Imaging
Published September 26
ASC/Sunstone’s Matt Stevenson has been documenting the PCB fabrication process in great detail lately. If you haven’t listened to his podcast series at “On The Line With..” you should (find it at most of the major podcast sites). In this column, Matt adds additional detail on outer layer imaging. If you’re a designer, you should give this a read.
AI to Boost Wafer Foundry Market by 20%
Published September 19
The wafer foundry market is expected to see a recovery in 2025, with an estimated annual growth of 20%, up from 16% in 2024. This is happening while many components have had their manufacturing scaled back to meet lessened demand. But components specific to AI infrastructure are at the root of this growth number. Learn more here.
iNEMI Announces End-of-Project Webinar for PCB Connector Footprint Tolerance Project
Published September 23
Designers and assemblers may find value in this webinar, scheduled for Sept. 30, 2024. The project’s objective was to equip product designers with the necessary information to ensure predictable quality levels when using high-bandwidth connectors. Through a comprehensive literature review and the expertise of the project team, potential risks were identified, followed by the creation of a survey designed to assess supplier capabilities for quality mitigation in the PCB industry.
North American PCB Industry Sales Up 35% in August
Published September 23
That headline is very large when it comes to sales numbers. The 35% refers to the previous year comparison (not to spoil the surprise). The rest of the report might be less rosy, but the news is not exactly bad. Read more here.
Suggested Items
Robotics Research: How Asia, Europe and America Invest
02/11/2025 | IFREconomies around the world are investing in robotics to support industry and society. But government research and development (R&D) programs are following different strategies. World Robotics R&D Programs 2025, published by the International Federation of Robotics, analyses official funding strategies in Asia, Europe and the Americas.
ESIA Urges the EU to Move to Action
02/10/2025 | ESIAThe European Commission unveiled its anticipated ‘Competitiveness Com- pass for the EU’. The European Semiconductor Industry Association (ESIA), represent- ing the semiconductor industry and broader ecosystem in Europe, welcomes this initi- ative that “lists priority actions to reignite economic dynamism” in the EU.
Empowering Interns: Shaping Tomorrow's Tech
02/10/2025 | Marcy LaRont, PCB007 MagazineToday, we widely accept that creating and leveraging opportunities to fill our future tech workforce is paramount to future success—both as individual companies and as an industry. This is even more true, and certainly more challenging, for in-person manufacturing jobs. In our conversation, Gerry Partida of Summit Interconnect focuses on the essential role of interns in the technological landscape and emphasizes how nurturing their skills and potential contributes significantly to the future of technology and business operations in our companies today.
OE-A Elects New International Board of Directors
02/07/2025 | OE-AThe members of the OE-A (Organic and Printed Electronics Association) appointed Dr. Alain Schumacher, IEE, as the new Chair of the Board of Directors at the end of January. Dr. Luke Pan, Brilliant Optoelectronic Technology is the new Vice Chair for Asia. Dr. Carsten L. Herzhoff, Lohmann, and Dr. Chloé Bois, ICI, are elected as Vice Chair Europe and North America respectively.
New IPC White Paper Focuses on Use of Artificial Intelligence in Automated Optical Inspection in Electronics Manufacturing
02/06/2025 | IPCA new white paper, “Unlocking AI for Automated Optical Inspection” released today by IPC’s Chief Technologist Council, focuses on AI’s role in AOI processes for printed circuit board assemblies (PCBAs). According to data within the white paper, recent advancements in technology, particularly in Cloud AI, IoT and Smart Manufacturing, have provided opportunities to further enhance AOI performance.