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
I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
April 18, 2025 | Andy Shaughnessy, Design007 MagazineEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
It’s been a busy week in our industry. Never a dull moment! If you’ve been paying attention to our tariff tumult with China and its effect on the stock market, especially if your company does a lot of business with China, you might be tempted to call in a Xanax refill about now. But hang tight. This is still early in the first quarter. This brouhaha serves to underscore our need to manufacture critical laminates and components in the U.S.
In this week’s must-reads, we have a potpourri of articles covering tariffs, the next generation of HDI, the three-year anniversary of IPC Mexico, a novel green technology, and emerging design trends. And we’re right in the middle of trade show season. I’ll be at SMTA Atlanta April 24 and PCB East April 30. I hope to see you on the road!
Stocks Tumble as Nvidia Warns of Major Hit From U.S.-China Export Curbs
Published April 17
Every day seems to bring a new salvo in the tariff war, and I-Connect007 is keeping an eye on the developments in Washington and Beijing. This article offers a wrapup of Wednesday’s events and includes some of our recent coverage of the tariff tiff. Check it out.
Global PCB Connections: The Next Wave of HDI PCBs: How Design Engineers Can Stay Ahead
Published April 17
When I first started covering this industry in 1999, HDI was the hot, new upcoming technology. Now, we’re approaching the next wave of HDI. What does this entail for PCB designers and fabricators? As Jerome Larez points out in his column, much of the push for the next generation of HDI is driven by the need for improved signal integrity, Moore’s Law, and the demands of 5G and wearables.
Real Time with... IPC APEX EXPO 2025: IPC Mexico Building Community and Partnerships
Published April 17
It’s been quite a trip for IPC Mexico. Since its launch three years ago, this group has expanded its reach and its footprint, and is now partnered with a variety of the country’s government and academic institutions. In this interview, Lorena Villanueva discusses this journey and the organization’s plans for the future.
Elephantech: For a Greener Tomorrow
Published April 16
A lot of us “grown folks” don’t associate green, sustainable technology with quality. But we might learn something from this interview. Elephantech’s Nobu Okamoto discusses their new metal inkjet technology that prints directly on a substrate and can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 75% and water consumption by up to 95%.
Real Time with... IPC APEX EXPO 2025: Emerging Trends in Design and Technology
Published April 16
IPC instructor Kris Moyer teaches a class on the most advanced PCB design techniques; if your PCB is going to travel through space, Kris can probably give you a few layout pointers. In this interview, Kris discusses some of the emerging design trends and technologies that he teaches in his classes. It’s a great time to be a designer.
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