Connect the Dots: Designing for the Future of Manufacturing Reality—Surface Finish
The Pulse: Caught in the Crosshatch—A Cautionary Tale of Detective Work
Fresh PCB Concepts: Designing PCBs for Harsh Environments—Reliability Is Engineered Upstream
IPC Community Unveils Spring 2025 Issue: A Celebration of Innovation and Excellence
March 24, 2025 | Michelle Te, IPC CommunityEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
Spring is in the air, and so is the latest issue of IPC Community. From roadsters in southern California to automotive standards in China, a focus on Germany’s largest electronics manufacturer, and interviews with some of today’s industry influencers, this issue rounds the bend into a world of innovation, leadership, and community.
Look inside the latest issue here.
Featured Articles:
- Life in the Fast Lane: Follow the inspiring journey of Bill Cardoso, an entrepreneur who has added an exclusive electric car to his collection of businesses. From nuclear scientist to organic farmer, his story is one of passion and innovation.
- Trust in the Process: Take a ride with Zollner Elektronik AG, Germany’s largest EMS supplier, as they invest heavily in a future filled with electronics. Discover their innovative approaches and commitment to excellence.
- Future-proofing Electronics: Learn how industry leaders are preparing for the future with cutting-edge technologies and strategies to ensure sustainability and resilience in electronics manufacturing.
- The Ultimate Free Knowledge Resource: Explore the vast repository of I-Connect007’s Technical Library, offering over 40 titles available for download. This knowledge base is designed to empower professionals with the latest insights and best practices.
- Empowering Tomorrow’s Electronics Industry Leaders: IPC has initiatives and programs aimed at nurturing the next generation of leaders in the electronics industry. From scholarships to mentorship opportunities, find out how IPC is shaping the future.
- Driving to the Future: Meet the IPC China Automotive Electronics Committee and learn about their pivotal role in setting industry standards and driving high-quality growth in automotive electronics.
Additional Highlights:
Celebrating the IPC Hall of Fame: A few award winners share their reflections and future vision for the industry, celebrating milestones filled with growth, innovation, and community.
- The Rising Term Premium: IPC Chief Economist Shawn DuBravac takes a closer look at the implications of a decade-high surge in the term premium and its impact on the electronics industry.
- A Developing Workforce: An overview of IPC’s recent workforce partnerships and funding initiatives, highlighting the importance of trust and collaboration in driving industry success. We highlight LSI ADL Technology, which is leveraging its IPC members for growth, training, and industry leadership.
- Trade Shows: A Gateway to the Industry: Dr. John W. Mitchell, president and CEO of IPC, discusses the critical role of trade shows in fostering community, showcasing innovations, and connecting industry professionals.
- Meet Thiago Guimaraes: Get to know IPC’s new visionary director of industry intelligence and learn about his goals for driving the future of electronics manufacturing.
This issue is packed with valuable insights, expert opinions, and inspiring stories that reflect the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of the electronics manufacturing industry. Don't miss out on this exciting edition of IPC Community!
About IPC Community: IPC Community is the premier publication for professionals in the electronics manufacturing industry. Each issue features in-depth articles, industry news, and profiles of the people and companies driving innovation and excellence. Our mission is to connect the global electronics community.
Subscribe for free to IPC Community to ensure you receive an email with the latest issue.
Share on:
Testimonial
"In a year when every marketing dollar mattered, I chose to keep I-Connect007 in our 2025 plan. Their commitment to high-quality, insightful content aligns with Koh Young’s values and helps readers navigate a changing industry. "
Brent Fischthal - Koh YoungSuggested Items
I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
05/08/2026 | Marcy LaRont, I-Connect007This week, I’ve selected some outstanding interviews that you’ll want to take note of. First, is a roundtable discussion featuring three dynamic industry cybersecurity experts. Please watch this important discussion that affects us all. Following that, I spotlight the IPC-2581 Consortium, which explains why IPC-2581 is the standard to replace Gerber data for manufacturing. Next, I am including my interview with PCBAA and AAM, who collaborated to release a short documentary on U.S. PCB manufacturing.
Hall of Fame Spotlight Series: Highlighting Karen McConnell
05/07/2026 | Dan Feinberg, I-Connect007In 2021, Karen McConnell was awarded the Raymond E. Pritchard Hall of Fame award in recognition of her contributions to the Association and the electronics industry. As a senior staff member and CAD/CAM engineer at Northrop Grumman Enterprise Services, her primary responsibility was to develop a common, shared EDM (Electronic Document Management) library to support the electrical and PCB design tool initiatives across Northrop Grumman Mission Systems.
A Necessary Shift From Gerber to IPC-2581
05/07/2026 | Tracy Riggan, Global Electronics AssociationIPC-2581 is an open, vendor-neutral data exchange standard developed by the Global Electronics Association to streamline the exchange of PCB design information across fabrication, assembly, and test. It replaces multiple legacy formats—including industry standards, Gerber, and ODB++—with a single, comprehensive, XML-based dataset that captures all manufacturing details.
Meet Emerging Engineers: Patrick Owen and Eric Mickenbecker, Summit Interconnect
05/05/2026 | Michelle Te, I-Connect007Patrick Owen and Eric Mickenbecker both work for Summit Interconnect, and are in their second year of the Global Electronics Association’s Emerging Engineer Program with mentor Brian Chislea. They stopped by the I-Connect007 booth at APEX EXPO and shared a bit of their story with me. Patrick has worked at the Hollister, California, plant since 2018, while Eric has been at the Chicago site since 2023. Like many of their peers, they came to the electronics industry from different paths, but are both excited about making an impact.
PCBAA, AAM Take on the Fight to Rebuild U.S. Manufacturing in New Documentary
05/05/2026 | Marcy LaRont, I-Connect007Throughout most of the 20th century, manufacturing was central to the American Dream of providing stable jobs and pathways to upward mobility. Today, more than 80% of global electronics manufacturing capacity resides in China and greater Asia, raising serious concerns about supply chain resilience and national security.