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I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
November 1, 2024 | Andy Shaughnessy, Design007 MagazineEstimated reading time: 1 minute
It’s been a busy week in PCB design, fabrication, and assembly. We published some mixed news about the EMS segment, and an article about the supply chain. Are companies holding onto too much inventory? After the recent supply chain snafus, I can certainly understand why they might.
We have an article about liquid metal ink, a cool new technology developed by LDQX, formerly known as Averatek. We also have an article about fighting advanced counterfeiting methods, and news about an acquisition by Siemens.
It's show time, and I’ll be heading to PCB Carolina in a week. I hope to see you there!
North American EMS Industry Shipments Up 10.3% in September
Published October 29
There’s mixed news in EMS, as September shipments rose 10.3% over the same period a year ago, and 2% over the previous month. But bookings were down 10.8% from the previous month. Things are pretty stable, overall.
Unlocking Advanced Circuitry Through Liquid Metal Ink
Published October 31
Liquid metal ink is a new technology developed by LDQX, the company formerly known as Averatek. In this interview, John Johnson of American Standard Circuits explains how LMI is headed toward the mainstream as part of the A-SAP process.
Are Firms Holding Too Much Inventory?
Published October 30
IPC Chief Economist Shawn DuBravac knows a thing or two about the supply chain. In this article for IPC Community, he shares his thoughts on whether or not companies in our industry are stocking up on too much inventory. Check it out.
Siemens Strengthens Leadership in Industrial Software and AI with Acquisition of Altair Engineering
Published October 31
Siemens continues to expand. The company recently acquired Altair, a simulation and analysis tool provide based in Detroit. The transaction is valued at around $10 billion. We’ll keep watching to see how Siemens integrates this functionality into its tool sets.
Combatting Advanced Techniques in Counterfeiting
Published October 30
Counterfeiters keep getting more clever, and our industry’s technologists have to keep up with them. As Anthony Bryant explains, this is more difficult when some of the counterfeiters are state-owned-enterprises in Asia, with the full support of their governments behind them.
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October 2025 SMT007 Magazine: Upgrading Your Production Software
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Industry Expert, Mark Finstad From Flexible Circuit Technologies Presents Ask the Flexperts at PCB West
09/22/2025 | Flexible Circuit TechnologiesFlexible Circuit Technologies., Inc/FCT is excited to announce its upcoming session, Ask the Flexperts taking place Thursday, October 2nd, from 9:00–11:00 AM at PCB West 2025. The session will be led by Mark Finstad, Director or Applications Engineering at FCT, who brings over 40 years of experience in the design, fabrication, and testing of flexible and rigid-flex circuits. Mark is an internationally recognized authority in the field, making this a must-attend event for PCB designers, engineers, and industry professionals.