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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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India’s Vasantha Advanced Systems: EMS Success for 30 Years
April 22, 2026 | Marcy LaRont, I-Connect007Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Based in one of India’s premier manufacturing regions, Vasantha Advanced Systems is an EMS provider that has built a reputation for quality, reliability, and long-term customer partnerships, earning repeated recognition from the Indian government through its National MSME Awards. Now, with a full spectrum of capabilities spanning PCB assembly, box build, and wire harness, and a workforce of more than 500, Vasantha is expanding its presence into the U.S. market. At APEX EXPO, I met Dr. Chidambaranathan and learned how this rising global player is positioning itself to meet the evolving needs of North American customers.
Marcy LaRont: Dr. Chidambaranathan, it is very nice to meet you. You are a legacy manufacturing company in India, but you are new to many in North America. Please tell us about Vasantha Advanced Systems.
Dr. Chidambaranathan: It is good to be here. Vasantha Systems is located in an area famous for manufacturing in southern India. We have consistently achieved our targets and have continued to grow each year. We have been recognized under India’s National MSME Awards for five consecutive years as one of the top EMS companies.
LaRont: Are you members of the Global Electronics Association in India, and is this your first APEX EXPO?
Chidambaranathan: Yes, we have been members of the Global Electronics Association for a long time, and our SMT, plated-through-hole, and wire-harness teams have received extensive training through the Association. Last month, Garaub Majumdar, vice president of the Association in India, visited our plant, told us about APEX EXPO, and encouraged us to attend. We have a good customer base in the U.S. and have been interested in learning about new technologies while here. Working with the Association helps us move our company to the next level.
LaRont: Vasantha Systems does the full spectrum of services: PCB, PCBA, box build, wire harness, and also coil manufacturing. What applications or markets do you build product for?
Chidambaranathan: We support industrial, automotive, and medical electronics, and we have just started supporting semiconductor fabrication. For many years, we were supporting the Indian railways, especially safety products as well as Indian defense products. Working in safety, defense-, and medical, we are able to produce high reliability products to standards.
LaRont: What is Vasantha’s global footprint in terms of your customers? Why is it important to be here at APEX EXPO?
Chidambaranathan: There has been a tremendous change in the global market because of the geopolitical situation, which has created many supply chain challenges for companies working with China. We are happy to be here to tell U.S. customers that, with the depth of our experience and the technology we can build, we can support them. We pride ourselves in being customer focused and we want to gain a stronger footprint in America. We can take their pain points and be a supplier partner, supporting all their requirements.
LaRont: The fact that you provide a full spectrum of services through box build and wire harness is an advantage.
Chidambaranathan: Yes, and we have a very well-trained, strong team. We keep our focus on quality and delivery. Some of our international customers have been with us for 24 years, and we provide product to more than 12 countries. I am happy to say that we continue to grow every year.
LaRont: Continued year-over-year growth is certainly a sign of success. As you and I both know, nothing else matters if you don't have good quality and you're not making your deliveries. Dr. Chidambaranathan, it has been very nice to meet you. Thank you for making the trip out to Anaheim. I wish you much continued success and hope to see you again.
Chidambaranathan: Thank you very much, Marcy, for the opportunity to do this interview with you. APEX EXPO has been a great experience for us.
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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.
Defense Speak Interpreted: Hypersonics Report Back After Six Years of Silence
04/07/2026 | Dennis Fritz -- Column: Defense Speak InterpretedIt’s been six years since my Defense Speaks column about hypersonic weapons. Back then, these weapons were the most sought-after technology as there was little defense for them. They were the cornerstone of the “strike any location on earth within one hour” scenario. Of course, the war in Ukraine, and now the action in Iran, have grabbed the weapons headlines, but hypersonics still play a role and development continues. Here is the update.
SMTA Dallas Expo & Tech Forum: A National-level Local Event
03/31/2026 | Nolan Johnson, I-Connect007Gary Tanel is the long-time chapter president of SMTA Dallas. He has been active in the industry for many years, retiring from Texas Instruments and Raytheon and then starting his own contract manufacturing company. He has been on the board of directors of SMTA and has held every office at the national and local level. He has received both the Founder’s and the Excellence in Leadership Awards from SMTA. Gary has been the SMTA Dallas Expo chair for many years, including for the 23rd annual show.
Punching Out: How Many PCB Companies Are There in North America Now?
03/19/2026 | Tom Kastner -- Column: Punching Out!When I am asked how many PCB shops are still in the U.S., my answer is usually, “About 130. How many do you want to buy?” However, I do not really know the number. My job is either to sell PCB shops or help people buy them, not to count them. I probably should keep better track of them, but many are small (70% have revenue below $10 million), or they say they are making boards even if they rent out their facility as an auto repair shop.
From Classroom to Boardroom: One Year Yields a World of Perspective
03/15/2026 | Marcy LaRont, I-Connect007Few college seniors can say their first plane ride took them straight into a global electronics boardroom. However, Emily Daley, a Michigan Technological University electrical engineering student, spent her senior year as the Student Board Member to the Global Electronics Association Board of Directors. She brought a fresh, student-centered perspective to the industry as she attended APEX EXPO, as well as board meetings in Taiwan and Lake Tahoe.