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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.
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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.
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The Training Connection’s Bill Graver: Among Four U.S. IPC-6012 Trainers, Setting the Standard in Testing and Training
January 15, 2026 | The Training Connection, LLCEstimated reading time: 1 minute
The Training Connection, LLC (TTC-LLC), a premier provider of test engineering and development training, proud to announce that Bill Graver, IPC Master Trainer with The Training Connection, is one of only four trainers in the United States qualified to teach IPC-6012, the IPC standard governing the performance and qualification of rigid printed circuit boards.
IPC-6012 is a foundational standard for PCB manufacturing, defining acceptance requirements for materials, fabrication, testing, and quality across single-sided, double-sided, multilayer, and metal-core boards. It is critical for high-reliability Class 3 applications, including aerospace, defense, and medical electronics, where failure is not an option.
“The Training Connection is built on deep test and standards expertise,” said Bert Horner, President of The Training Connection. “With one of the nation’s very few IPC-6012 trainers on our team, we’re able to provide unmatched test and training support to manufacturers working in the most demanding environments.”
Bill Graver brings more than 35 years of experience in electronics manufacturing, PCB testing, and failure analysis. His background includes service on the IPC-A-600 committee and as vice chair of IPC-6012, providing direct insight into both the requirements of the standard and how they apply in real-world production. He holds multiple IPC Master Trainer certifications, including IPC-6012, IPC-A-600, IPC-A-610, and IPC/WHMA-A-620.
IPC-6012 works in conjunction with visual standards such as IPC-A-600, which provides photographic examples of acceptability, while IPC-6012 establishes measurable performance criteria such as copper thickness, annular ring requirements, and void limits. Recent updates to the standard have expanded coverage of microvias and advanced PCB structures, increasing the importance of experienced instruction.
Through The Training Connection, Bill Graver delivers IPC-6012 Certified IPC Trainer (CIT) and Certified IPC Specialist (CIS) courses, along with other IPC certification and custom technical training programs. The Training Connection offers both onsite and virtual training, supporting manufacturers, fabricators, and inspectors across the electronics industry.
Testimonial
"We’re proud to call I-Connect007 a trusted partner. Their innovative approach and industry insight made our podcast collaboration a success by connecting us with the right audience and delivering real results."
Julia McCaffrey - NCAB GroupSuggested Items
TTC-LLC and TTCI: Smarter Training, Stronger Test at PCB East 2026
04/27/2026 | The Test Connection Inc.The Training Connection LLC (TTC-LLC) and The Test Connection, Inc. (TTCI) will be exhibiting together at PCB East 2026, taking place April 28–May 1 at the DCU Convention Center in Worcester, Massachusetts. Attendees can find both teams at Booth #103 during the main exhibition day on Wednesday, April 29.
Building Industry-ready Talent Through Standards-based Education
04/27/2026 | Global Electronics AssociationRecently, Sichuan Modern Vocational College organized 132 students to complete IPC-A-610 Acceptability of Electronic Assemblies Certified IPC Specialist (CIS) training and certification.
Roundtable: Data Protection Lays the Groundwork for Cybersecurity Strategies
04/27/2026 | Nolan Johnson, I-Connect007This multi-expert roundtable explores cybersecurity measures specific to electronics manufacturing. NEC’s Watanabe Hiroyaki, Divyash Patel, CEO of MX2 Technologies, and Ali Pabrai, CEO at EC First, join moderator Nolan Johnson for a deeper discussion on cybersecurity certifications.
Fresh PCB Concepts: Designing PCBs for Harsh Environments—Reliability Is Engineered Upstream
04/23/2026 | Team NCAB -- Column: Fresh PCB ConceptsWhen engineers hear the phrase “harsh environment,” they usually think of the extreme temperature swings, vibration and shock, pressure changes, or radiation in aerospace. However, aerospace is not the only harsh environment where electronic assemblies must survive. Automotive power electronics, downhole oil and gas tools, marine controls, rail systems, defense platforms, and industrial automation equipment all expose PCBs to environments that are equally unforgiving. The stress mechanisms may differ, but the physics does not.
The Right Approach: The End of an Era—DoD Proposes MIL-PRF-31032 Cancellation
04/21/2026 | Steve Williams -- Column: The Right ApproachThe Defense Logistics Agency has initiated formal proceedings to cancel the military's primary performance specification for printed circuit boards, a move that could reshape how the U.S. defense industrial base qualifies and sources one of its most critical electronic components. On March 4, 2026, DLA Weapons Support issued a memorandum to military and industry coordination activities announcing that MIL-PRF-31032, along with its six associated specification sheets, has been proposed for cancellation. A 30-day comment period was allotted, with concurrence or comments due by April 3, 2026.