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I-Connect007 Editor's Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
August 22, 2025 | Andy Shaughnessy, I-Connect007Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
I’m writing from Atlanta. It’s August and it’s pouring down rain. It’s almost dark in the middle of the afternoon, which has been the norm for quite a while. It feels like it has rained in Atlanta almost every day since I got home from APEX EXPO in March. If there’s one positive to this near-daily rain, my yard looks really good!
Also looking good is my list of must-read articles. In this week’s roundup, we have a variety of articles covering design, manufacturing, sustainability, and, of course, tariff negotiations. We have a milestone anniversary to celebrate as well, with Dan Beaulieu about to publish his 1,000th column. When does Dan even sleep? Here’s to hoping that we have 1,000 more weeks of It’s Only Common Sense.
Have a good weekend!
50% Copper Tariffs, 100% Chip Uncertainty, and a Truce
Published August 19
Here’s an article I wrote after listening in on a tariff presentation hosted by the Global Electronics Association. Chris Mitchell, the Association’s VP of global government relations, and trade attorney Ludmilla Kasulke of Squire Patton Boggs cleared up a lot of the confusion around tariffs. The next big date is Nov. 10, when President Trump’s 90-day “tariff truce” with China expires; let’s hope that both countries have reached a long-term trade agreement by then.
How Good Design Enables Sustainable PCBs
Published August 21
If you’re a PCB designer, how often do you think about sustainability during the design cycle? Most designers I know would say “never.” It’s just not on your radar screen. Well, Gerry Partida, VP of technology for Summit Interconnect, wants designers to start thinking about sustainability, and in this article, he lays out a plethora of reasons why. Check it out.
SEL: Revolutionizing PCB Production Through MES, Partnerships, and Vision
Published August 21
We’ve been following the development of the new Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories greenfield site in Idaho since the project was announced. In this interview with Barry Matties, SEL’s John Hendrickson and Jessi Hall discuss their use of the Factory Core manufacturing execution system, and how this system has revolutionized their processes.
PEDC Call for Abstracts Deadline Extended to Aug. 31
Published August 20
The second Pan-European Electronics Design Conference is set for Jan. 21-22, 2026, in the Czech Republic, and it’s not too late to submit your abstract if you’d like to take part in the conference. The abstract deadline has been pushed back to Aug. 31, so if you missed the first PEDC in Vienna last winter, get your abstract in now.
Lessons From a Thousand Columns: Dan Beaulieu on Writing, Selling, and Staying the Course
Published August 21
Dan Beaulieu is like the Energizer Bunny: He just keeps going, and going, and going. This week we’re previewing the 1,000th weekly installment of It’s Only Common Sense, but Dan also pens a steady stream of book reviews and interviews with the industry’s movers and shakers. Dan never minces words, which might make you mad, but you’ll always know where he’s coming from. Dan recently sat down for an interview with Editor Michelle Te and discussed what he’s learned in the course of writing 1,000 columns. I highly recommend this read.
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08/18/2025 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamTwo years after launching its state-of-the-art PCB facility, Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories shares lessons in vision, execution, and innovation, plus insights from industry icons and technology leaders shaping the future of PCB fabrication. The August 2025 issue of PCB007 Magazine takes you inside the facility to hear from its founder, Dr. Ed Schweitzer, its manufacturing team leaders, and several of the supplier vendors that make this a cutting-edge fabrication plant.
I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
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I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
08/08/2025 | Andy Shaughnessy, I-Connect007If you’ve been watching the news lately, you might be tempted to opine, “What’s going on here?” In this week’s must-reads, we have a wrap-up of the latest news about U.S. tariffs with Asia, and columnist Tom Yang explains why some PCB fabrication business should remain in China. We also have a piece that examines the unprecedented growth that green manufacturing is expected to see over the next four years.
August 2025 SMT007 Magazine: Supply Chain Strategies
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Nordson Corporation Announces Earnings Release and Webcast for Third Quarter Fiscal Year 2025
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