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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.
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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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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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APEX EXPO 2026 Show Floor Sells Out – 416 Exhibitors – Largest Manufacturer Lineup in Six Years
March 6, 2026 | Global Electronics AssociationEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
The APEX EXPO 2026 show floor has officially sold out, with 416 exhibitors occupying the Anaheim Convention Center. The sold-out floor reflects strong demand across the global electronics manufacturing supply chain and sets the stage for a high-impact, business-focused event March 16-19, 2026.
Benefits to Attendees
- Unmatched supplier access: 416 exhibitors representing the full electronics value chain – PCB fabrication, advanced electronics packaging, EMS, test/inspection/metrology, materials, automation, design software, and supply chain services under one roof.
- Real-time technology validation: Side-by-side equipment and process comparisons, live smart-factory/IPC CFX interoperability demos, and hands-on sessions to benchmark yield, reliability, throughput, and cost.
- Direct access to expertise: Face-to-face engagement with engineers, product developers, and decision-makers driving innovation.
What’s Happening at APEXEXPO 2026
- Advanced Electronic Packaging Conference:
- EMS Leadership Summit
- Smart factory in action: Interoperability demos featuring IPC CFX and Hermes standards showing data flows you can replicate on your own lines.
- Standards in focus: Working sessions and rollouts reflecting the latest in design, fabrication, assembly, and inspection standards delivering practical takeaways for compliance and quality teams.
- Training that sticks: Professional development courses and certification pathways to upskill technicians and engineers.
- Business impact: Content tracks for operations, procurement, and the C-suite covering capacity planning, supply assurance, sustainability, and workforce transformation.
Exhibitor Makeup
- PCB fabrication and advanced electronics packaging
- Assembly equipment and materials
- Test, inspection, and metrology systems
- Automation and smart factory solutions
- Design software and digital manufacturing tools
- Sustainability and supply chain services
“Strong exhibitor participation reflects the momentum we’re seeing across the industry,” said Alicia Balonek, senior director of tradeshows and events at the Global Electronics Association. “A sold-out show floor demonstrates that companies view APEX EXPO as a critical venue for launching innovations, strengthening partnerships, and driving business growth. For attendees, it means maximum exposure to the technologies and suppliers shaping the future of electronics manufacturing.”
For more information, to view the exhibitor list, or to register, visit the APEX EXPO website at https://www.apexexpo.org/.
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I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
05/08/2026 | Marcy LaRont, I-Connect007This week, I’ve selected some outstanding interviews that you’ll want to take note of. First, is a roundtable discussion featuring three dynamic industry cybersecurity experts. Please watch this important discussion that affects us all. Following that, I spotlight the IPC-2581 Consortium, which explains why IPC-2581 is the standard to replace Gerber data for manufacturing. Next, I am including my interview with PCBAA and AAM, who collaborated to release a short documentary on U.S. PCB manufacturing.
Global Electronics Association to Testify at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative Panel on Section 301 Structural Excess Capacity
05/08/2026 | Global Electronics AssociationChris Mitchell, Vice President for Global Government Relations at the Global Electronics Association, will testify before the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Panel on Section 301 Structural Excess Capacity on Friday, May 8.
Kimball Electronics Reports Q3 Results With Double-Digit Sequential Medical Sales Growth
05/07/2026 | Kimball ElectronicsKimball Electronics, Inc. announced financial results for the third quarter ended March 31, 2026.
Hall of Fame Spotlight Series: Highlighting Karen McConnell
05/07/2026 | Dan Feinberg, I-Connect007In 2021, Karen McConnell was awarded the Raymond E. Pritchard Hall of Fame award in recognition of her contributions to the Association and the electronics industry. As a senior staff member and CAD/CAM engineer at Northrop Grumman Enterprise Services, her primary responsibility was to develop a common, shared EDM (Electronic Document Management) library to support the electrical and PCB design tool initiatives across Northrop Grumman Mission Systems.
IMI Reports Stronger Performance and Return to Profitability in 2025
05/06/2026 | IMIIntegrated Microelectronics, Inc. (IMI) reported a significantly improved performance in 2025, reflecting the positive results of its multi year transformation focused on operational efficiency, portfolio optimization, and strengthening core capabilities.