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I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
March 7, 2025 | Andy Shaughnessy, I-Connect007Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

It’s been a busy week. My must-reads include articles and news items on global trends and challenges, groundbreaking technology, the hunt for the elusive young PCB designers, and some personnel changes. We also have a great column on the value of following up and keeping promises. We’re all guilty of “dropping the ball” from time to time, aren’t we? So, how do you recover?
IPC APEX EXPO takes place in Anaheim, California, March 18-20, and we’ll be there from ribbon-cutting through the final announcement telling everyone that the show is closed. We’ll be bringing you Real Time with… video interviews with the movers and shakers in PCB design, fabrication, assembly, and test. I’ll be glad to get out of Atlanta—it’s freezing here.
If you’re at the IPC show, stop by our booth and say hello. In the meantime, have a good weekend.
IMAPS’ Annual Conference Opener in Phoenix ‘Blew My Mind’
Published March 5
PCB007 Editor Marcy LaRont brings us this review of the first day’s events at the IMAPS Device Packaging Conference in Phoenix this week. As she explains, there was a lot of attention paid to AI and advanced packaging substrates, including glass. I understand the appeal of glass at the packaging level. I’ve heard some PCB fabricators discuss using glass; has anyone on the PCB side ever utilized glass?
UHDI Fundamentals: UHDI Advances Neurotechnology
Published March 5
If you’ve been following Anaya Vardya’s UHDI series, you’re aware that his new technology is a real game-changer. In this installment, Anaya explains how UHDI figures into the development of neurotechnology, especially brain-computer interfaces (BCI). It’s a brave new world for UHDI, and the innovation is only getting started.
Summit Interconnect Announces Key Executive Appointments: Sean Patterson Named CTO, Michael Norman Joins as President and COO
Published March 6
Summit Interconnect has new leadership now, with COO Sean Patterson becoming the company’s first CTO. Michael Norman joins Summit from Raytheon, becoming president and COO. Shane Whiteside will continue as CEO and chairman of the board.
It’s Only Common Sense: Follow Through and Keep Your Promises
Published March 3
Dan Beaulieu really nails it this week: We work in a blizzard of emails and texts, so following up is a real necessity. There’s really no excuse for failing to follow up, and we’re all guilty of this at one time or another. But we all know which of our friends, customers, and suppliers are the most likely to follow up, and they’re the ones we tend to want to deal with. Dan says, “Following through on promises isn’t a common trait.” I’d like to disagree, but he may be right. Check it out.
Recruiting the Next Generation of PCB Designers at Garmin
Published March 6
It’s no secret that we’re running out of PCB designers and design engineers. There are open PCB design jobs around the globe, and there aren’t enough designers to fill these jobs. In this interview, Garmin’s design engineering manager, LB Yates, explains the company’s plans to recruit and train the next generation of PCB designers.
Suggested Items
The Key to First-pass Success in PCB Design
04/10/2025 | Gerry Partida, Summit InterconnectIn the dynamic world of PCB manufacturing, achieving first-pass success hinges on more than just cutting-edge equipment and skilled teams. At Summit Interconnect, we have seen countless successful launches of advanced HDI designs that can be traced directly to engagement between designers and fabricators early in the design phase. Unfortunately, collaboration in the PCB industry often begins only after problems arise—such as field failures, assembly fallout, or low fabrication yields. This reactive approach is the wrong starting point for collaboration.
IDTechEx Highlights Recyclable Materials for PCBs
04/10/2025 | IDTechExConventional printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturing is wasteful, harmful to the environment and energy intensive. This can be mitigated by the implementation of new recyclable materials and technologies, which have the potential to revolutionize electronics manufacturing.
Real Time with... IPC APEX EXPO 2025: Leadership in Training—Insights from Eptac's Helena Pasquito
04/10/2025 | Real Time with...IPC APEX EXPOHelena Pasquito shares her recent leadership award and discusses the relocation of EPTAC's main office to a larger space in Salem, New Hampshire, featuring new classrooms and a conference room for hybrid learning. She highlights the mentor program for new instructors and the focus on hiring younger talent. Helena also emphasizes the importance of a five-day hand soldering certification course for newcomers and reflects on the industry's evolution and networking.
Real Time with... IPC APEX EXPO 2025: SPEA—Optimizing Testing Processes in PCBA
04/10/2025 | Real Time with...IPC APEX EXPOMike Sexton and Dustin Warren of SPEA explore market dynamics for PCBA manufacturers. They emphasize the need for optimizing testing processes, introducing deep In-Circuit Test (ICT) technology that identifies weak components often overlooked by traditional tests. The discussion also covers flying probe technology, highlighting its flexibility for high-mix, low-volume production and comparing it with ICT testing methods.
Real Time with... IPC APEX EXPO 2025: Advancements for Flexible Circuit Technologies
04/10/2025 | Real Time with...IPC APEX EXPOMark Finstad and Chris Clark from Flexible Circuit Technologies discuss their new marketing campaign for catheter circuits, featuring larger formats and advanced specifications. They explain the development of in-house materials for high-density circuits, enhancing cost competitiveness. They highlight the opening of a new facility in China for advanced assembly services, along with focused training sessions to fill industry education gaps and promote early customer engagement for better project outcomes.