Learning With Leo: UHDI—The Next Leap in PCB Manufacturing
Nolan’s Notes: Is Mexico the Pulse of Electronics in the Americas?
Standard of Excellence: Speed vs. Quality in Customer Service
PCB Carolina’s Formula: Industry Experts and Catered Food
November 18, 2024 | Andy Shaughnessy, Design007 MagazineEstimated reading time: 1 minute
PCB Carolina organizers at the Better Boards design bureau seem to have found the perfect formula: Industry experts plus catered food equals a constantly expanding show. This one-day tabletop show has been growing for two decades, and that trendline continued with this year’s event on November 13.
Located in NC State’s McKimmon Conference and Training Center in Raleigh, North Carolina, PCB Carolina has gone from a small local show to a regional event that draws exhibitors and attendees from around the U.S.
The day started with breakfast and a keynote speech by Saugat Sen of Cadence Design Systems. The 16 technical sessions covered everything from PCB design and DFM techniques to assembly and product safety. The show squeezed quite a bit into a one-day event.
Once again, the show floor was sold out, with exhibitors setting up booths in the lobby and in several classrooms. Exhibitors represented the entire PCB supply chain, including EDA companies, fabricators, CEMs, component and laminate suppliers, distributors, and service providers.
Show manager Randy Faucette said the number of attendees was up 8% over last year. In addition to PCB designers and electrical engineers, I spoke with attendees from the semiconductor, packaging, fab, and assembly segments. Most attendees were from the RTP areas, but some drove five hours or more to the show.
Some repeat attendees joked that the catered food was enough to draw PCB technologists back year after year. After enjoying a lunch of barbecued brisket and a Mexican dinner with local craft beers, it’s hard to disagree. No one likes boxed lunches.
Over the years, I’ve met technologists who only attend PCB Carolina, because their companies don’t have the budget to send them to the bigger shows in our industry. Regional shows provide a real service, and PCB Carolina’s managers make sure that you won’t have to eat “conference chicken” while staying up to date with changes in technology.
Share on:
Testimonial
"The I-Connect007 team is outstanding—kind, responsive, and a true marketing partner. Their design team created fresh, eye-catching ads, and their editorial support polished our content to let our brand shine. Thank you all! "
Sweeney Ng - CEE PCBSuggested Items
Henger Announces Delivery of 400 Plasma Equipment Units and Launch of Their Second Plant
11/14/2025 | HengerZhuhai Henger Microelectronics Equipment Co., Ltd. announced the successful delivery of its 400th PCB plasma equipment unit and the official inauguration of the plasma workshop at its second plant on November 11. These milestones mark a significant advancement in the company’s technological development and production capacity.
I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
11/14/2025 | Nolan Johnson, I-Connect007I read an interesting article this week about a breakthrough on building microprocessors to run on microwaves rather than traditional digital circuitry. It cites an academic study that begins, “The development of high-bandwidth applications, including multi-gigabit communication and radar imaging, demands faster processing. However, in the microwave regime, where frequencies exceed clock rates, sampling and computation become challenging. Here we report an integrated microwave neural network for broadband computation and communication.”
PCB Design Software Market to Hit $12.11 Billion by 2033, Growing at a CAGR of 13.77%
11/14/2025 | Globe NewswireThe PCB Design Software Market Size was valued at USD 4.32 Billion in 2025E and is expected to reach USD 12.11 Billion by 2033 and grow at a CAGR of 13.77% over the forecast period 2026-2033.
Zhen Ding Reports Solid Performance for the First Three Quarters of 2025
11/13/2025 | Zhen DingZhen Ding Technology Holding Limited, a global leading PCB manufacturer, announced its consolidated financial results for the third quarter of 2025.
The Impact of the AI Boom on PCB and Raw Materials Supply Chains
11/13/2025 | Mark Goodwin, Ventec International GroupThe PCB industry is entering a period of unprecedented structural change, driven by the demands of artificial intelligence and advanced computing. What was once a cyclical market has become a capacity race. It’s one that rewards foresight, collaboration, and strategic supply partnerships. Understanding these dynamics is essential for maintaining stability and growth across all market segments. This report, created by Ventec International Group, provides a clear view of how AI-driven demand is reshaping the PCB materials landscape and what actions are required to secure long-term supply.