I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

It’s been another big week in global business news with positive projections on global economic growth, primarily driven by AI. U.S. labor markets are showing some strain after copious layoff activity, and there’s possibly a slight “correction” in the stock market, with investors apparently concerned about corporate overvaluation.

In electronics manufacturing, my must-reads are interesting, informative, and important for industry members, particularly in the U.S. These selections range from onshoring high-tech thermal control to the value of training, recognizing interconnect defects, and an important statement from the Global Electronics Association regarding the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). I’m also highlighting the final episode in our UHDI podcast series, which focuses on medical devices and UHDI as an enabler of innovation. It is definitely worth a listen!

The Power of Onshoring High-tech Thermal Control
Published December 2

As devices shrink and power densities soar, how we handle heat defines not only the reliability of a system but also the pace of innovation itself. Brian Buyea of Remtec discusses thermal management and everything from product design, collaboration, and short test cycles to strategic supply chain risk mitigation. Of course, he also talks about onshoring, stating, “Onshoring advanced manufacturing doesn’t just bring production closer; it brings control back.” This is a company to watch, and I recommend this quick but informative read.

Learning With Leo: What Is the Cost of Quality Brought About by Training?
Published December 3

Training is not a necessary evil, but a value-added activity, the outcome of which directly relates to your quality levels and yield numbers, ultimately translating to your bottom line. In Leo Lambert’s latest column, he clearly states that those who still fall into the old paradigm of training as a cost to business are missing a much bigger and financially significant point. The question should not be, “What is the cost of training to our company?” The more appropriate question is, “What does it cost when training does not occur?”

Trouble in Your Tank: Understanding Interconnect Defects, Part 2
Published December 3

Mike Carano introduced the topic of understanding interconnect defects in the October issue of PCB007 Magazine, taking a hard look at the causes of interplane separation, which results in the first type of ICDs. In this follow-up, Mike digs down on the second and third types of ICD, the result of poor adhesion of the electrolytic copper to the electroless copper. “It is important to stress that a Type 2 ICD is not an electroless copper/direct metallization/desmear problem,” he says, and discusses the various causes and how they can be prevented. Mike never disappoints in providing an excellent technical education on anything wet process-related.

The Government Circuit: USMCA Review—A Crucial Opportunity to Fortify North American Electronics
Published December 2

This past week in Washington, D.C., Chris Mitchell, vice president of global government relations for the Global Electronics Association, delivered a formal statement to the U.S. International Trade Commission during a public hearing that considered statements from business stakeholders on the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

During the hearing, Mitchell cited the Association’s recent report on U.S.-Mexico trade, stating that a full 67% of imports and 48% of exports for electronics manufacturing are intercompany from and to Mexico, illustrating deep supply chain integration. He is encouraging tariff-free access to USMCA-compliant trade and requesting that the U.S. treat both Canada and Mexico as strategic partners. If you are based in North America, reading this full article should be a priority activity on your Friday.

On the Line With… American Standard Circuits: Ultra HDI Releases Episode 10
Published December 4

ASC Sunstone’s 10th episode in its UHDI podcast series was just released. In this episode, John Johnson talks about medical devices and why UHDI is emerging as a critical enabler of medical device hardware. He highlights benefits such as the use of materials that eliminate risk to the human body and SWaP challenges that are inherently addressed by smaller circuitry that draws less power. UHDI and medical innovations are hand-in-hand partners, and it is both interesting and—as a human—hope-inspiring. Click here to listen to the episode in this high-value series.