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Beyond the Rulebook
What happens when the rule book is no longer useful, or worse, was never written in the first place? In today’s fast-moving electronics landscape, we’re increasingly asked to design and build what has no precedent, no proven path, and no tidy checklist to follow. This is where “Design for Invention” begins.
March Madness
From the growing role of AI in design tools to the challenge of managing cumulative tolerances, these articles in this issue examine the technical details, design choices, and manufacturing considerations that determine whether a board works as intended.
Looking Forward to APEX EXPO 2026
I-Connect007 Magazine previews APEX EXPO 2026, covering everything from the show floor to the technical conference. For PCB designers, we move past the dreaded auto-router and spotlight AI design tools that actually matter.
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American Standard Circuits to Exhibit and Host Lunch & Learn at PCB West 2025
September 17, 2025 | American Standard CircuitsEstimated reading time: 1 minute
Anaya Vardya, President, and CEO of American Standard Circuits/ASC Sunstone Circuits has announced that his company will once again be exhibiting at PCB West 2025 to be held at the Santa Clara Convention Center on Wednesday, October 1, 2025.
This year, ASC will host a Lunch and Learn on Thursday, October 2nd. In this session, Matt Stevenson and Vitaly Michalchuk will delve into the critical intersection of Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA), with a focused lens on prototyping:
- DFM Considerations: Understanding how board layout, material selection, and variant flexibility impact early-stage manufacturability while maintaining quality and speed.
- DFA Insights: Exploring strategies to simplify assembly for fast-turn prototypes—covering aspects such as part placement, solder paste optimization, and pick-and-place setup to eliminate rework and callbacks.
- SMT Optimization Techniques: Mike shares hands-on tactics and real-world examples in SMT prototyping, emphasizing process efficiency and yield improvements.
- Scaling to Production: The speakers highlight the crucial bridge from prototype to production: refining design and manufacturing methods to ensure seamless scale-up without compromise.
- Risk Mitigation & Best Practices: Attendees will learn how to proactively identify common DFM/DFA pitfalls early in design, enabling faster time-to-market and robust prototype success.
The lunch and learn will run from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. and is available to Thursday conference attendees only.
Vardya noted, “This is one of our favorite shows. It gives us the opportunity to meet with our Northern California customers and designers from all over the country. I think being able to participate in a Lunch & Learn is one of the best ways to introduce ASC Sunstone to engineers and designers, allowing us to tell our story and share our knowledge.”
Be sure to visit American Standard Circuits/ASC Sunstone on the show floor in booth 607.
Check out these educational offerings from American Standard Circuits | ASC Sunstone:
- On the Line with...American Standard Circuits Podcast: Ultra HDI
- The Printed Circuit Designer's Guide to... DFM Essentials
- The Printed Circuit Designer’s Guide to... Fundamentals of RF/Microwave PCBs
- The Printed Circuit Designer’s Guide to... Flex and Rigid-Flex Fundamentals
- The Companion Guide to Flex and Rigid-Flex Fundamentals
- The Printed Circuit Designer’s Guide to… Thermal Management: A Fabricator's Perspective
- On the Line with...ASC Sunstone: Design for Manufacturing Podcast
Visit I-007eBooks.com to download these and other free titles.
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Brent Fischthal - Koh YoungSuggested Items
April Issue of I-Connect007 Magazine: Beyond the Rulebook
04/14/2026 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamIn this month’s I-Connect007 Magazine, we asked PCB designers, fabricators, and suppliers what it really means to operate without a rulebook. Their perspectives vary, especially between seasoned designers and experienced fabricators, but a common thread emerges: progress depends on pushing boundaries and finding a way forward, even when the path isn’t clear. In many ways, this mindset has always been part of what we do, whether we’ve called it that or not.
Marcy’s Musings: Operating Without a Rulebook
04/15/2026 | Marcy LaRont -- Column: Marcy's MusingsWhat happens when the rulebook is no longer useful, or worse, has not yet been written? With electronics innovation happening at warp speed, we’re increasingly asked to design and build what has no precedent, proven path, or tidy checklist to follow. “Design for invention” begins at the edge of known capability, where traditional DFM gives way to something far less certain, and far more exciting. It’s not about breaking rules for the sake of it; it’s about recognizing when the rules no longer apply and having the insight, collaboration, and courage to move forward anyway.
Connect the Dots: Designing for the Future of Manufacturing Reality—Solder Mask and Legend
04/09/2026 | Matt Stevenson -- Column: Connect the DotsPCBs seem to be getting more complex by the day, so it is important for designers to keep educating themselves about the realities of manufacturing increasingly intricate boards. Last month’s column highlighted design considerations for the strip-etch-strip process and how manufacturers approach that phase of production. Now that we have a functioning board, we must protect the PCB from environmental hazards and document the circuit components. This article will detail the solder mask and legend process and offer best practices for designers to ensure a high-quality result.
New Book Explores How UV Technology Is Transforming Electronics Protection, Efficiency, and Sustainability
03/06/2026 | I-Connect007I-Connect007 announces the release of The Printed Circuit Designer’s Guide to…™ UV Curable Conformal Coatings. Authored by respected industry technologists Brian Chislea and Cody Schoener, PhD, of Dow, Inc., this new book offers a comprehensive exploration of UV-curable conformal coatings and their expanding role in improving the protection, performance, and sustainability of electronic assemblies.
Professional Development Courses for Every Electronics Manufacturing Sector
03/05/2026 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamProfessional Development Courses at APEX EXPO are designed to give electronics professionals focused, instructor-led learning that connects directly to today’s manufacturing realities. The courses are offered Sunday, Monday, and Thursday, and allow attendees to build new skills while still taking part in the broader APEX EXPO experience.