I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
February 12, 2021 | Andy Shaughnessy, Design007 MagazineEstimated reading time: 2 minutes

We’re moving on into 2021, and there’s quite a bit going on in the world of PCB design, fabrication, and assembly. IPC APEX EXPO is fast approaching, and I know a lot of you will be attending, albeit virtually. In this week’s Top Five, columnist Eric Camden provides a how-to guide for PCBA technologists planning their IPC APEX EXPO schedule. And we highlight an interview with members of USPAE about their new consortium dedicated to providing a safe supply chain for the DoD.
You can also read about IPC’s new digital twin standard, which provides a framework for managers interested in getting about the DT train. Joe Fjelstad reviews The Innovators, a technological history book written by Walter Isaacson. And Pulsonix continues its move into the North American market with its newest release, Pulsonix 11.0, which boasts up to 80% gains in speed, courtesy of new graphics functionality more commonly seen in the world of gaming.
Quest for Reliability: Here We Go (Virtual) Again
Published February 5
In this column, Eric Camden explains why virtual shows such as IPC APEX EXPO, despite their lack of in-person contact, can still be beneficial to SMT attendees. He discusses some of the assembly-related classes and task groups meeting during IPC APEX EXPO, and the need to plan your schedule wisely because of the multitude of sessions and events planned. As Eric points out, “One good thing about data is it stays the same no matter how it is presented.”
USPAE Launches $42M DoD Consortium
Published February 11
We have a terrific interview with Chris Peters, Kevin Sweeney and Shane Whiteside of the U.S. Partnership for Assured Electronics (USPAE). The group recently launched the Defense Electronics Consortium, an organization created with a $42 million DoD grant. They discuss the mission of USPAE and the consortium, which was created to ensure that the DoD always has access to a secure domestic electronics supply chain.
IPC Releases IPC-2551, International Standard for Digital Twins
Published February 8
There’s been a lot of talk about the “digital twin” lately, but how many of us know exactly what that term entails? What are the first steps for a company owner interested in moving to the digital twin model? IPC-2551, International Standard for Digital Twins, has the answers to these questions, and many more. This new set of frameworks defines the digital twin cell-based architecture and includes a self-assessment feature that lets managers understand their companies’ digital twin readiness level.
Joe Fjelstad's Book Review: The Innovators
Published February 8
Walter Isaacson is one interesting cat. This is a guy for whom CEO of CNN and editor of Time were mere stepping stones to his true calling in life: writer of non-fiction best-sellers. He’s particularly famous for his biographies of DaVinci, Einstein, Kissinger, and Jobs. Columnist Joe Fjelstad has a review of Isaacson’s book The Innovators: How a Group of Inventors, Hackers, Geniuses, and Geeks Created the Digital Revolution, which traces key developments in technology. If you like technological history, Joe says this book is for you.
Customers Experience Speed Increases of up to 80% on PCB Designs Using Pulsonix 11.0
Published February 9
UK-based Pulsonix has been making inroads into the North American EDA market, and this new release may help them in that endeavor. Many of the speed improvements, such as DRCs that are now four times faster, are the result of rewriting the graphics engine so that it can take advantage of the graphic cards used in the gaming industry. Take note: There’s a lot going on in the EDA world going into 2021.
Suggested Items
Seeing a Future in Mexico
07/09/2025 | Michelle Te, I-Connect007The Global Electronics Association (formerly known as IPC) has been instrumental in fostering a partnership with Guanajuato, a state north of Mexico City with 12 industrial clusters and close to 150 companies involved in electronics. This past spring, Alejandro Hernández, the undersecretary for investment promotion in Guanajuato, attended IPC APEX EXPO 2025 at the invitation of IPC Mexico Director Lorena Villanueva, where he met with several companies to discuss the opportunities available in Mexico. He is inviting electronics-related companies seeking long-term investment in a centrally located area with access to highways, railways, and ports.
The Global Electronics Association Releases IPC-8911: First-Ever Conductive Yarn Standard for E-Textile Application
07/02/2025 | Global Electronics AssociationThe Global Electronics Association announces the release of IPC-8911, Requirements for Conductive Yarns for E-Textiles Applications. This first-of-its-kind global standard establishes a clear framework for classifying, designating, and qualifying conductive yarns—helping to address longstanding challenges in supply chain communication, product testing, and material selection within the growing e-textiles industry.
IPC-CFX, 2.0: How to Use the QPL Effectively
07/02/2025 | Chris Jorgensen, Global Electronics AssociationIn part one of this series, we discussed the new features in CFX Version 2.0 and their implications for improved inter-machine communication. But what about bringing this new functionality to the shop floor? The IPC-CFX-2591 QPL is a powerful technical resource for manufacturers seeking CFX-enabled equipment. The Qualified Product List (QPL) helps streamline equipment selection by listing models verified for CFX compliance through a robust third-party virtual qualification process.
The Knowledge Base: A Conference for Cleaning and Coating of Mission-critical Electronics
07/08/2025 | Mike Konrad -- Column: The Knowledge BaseIn electronics manufacturing, there’s a dangerous misconception that cleaning and coating are standalone options, that they operate in different lanes, and that one can compensate for the other. Let’s clear that up now. Cleaning and conformal coating are not separate decisions. They are two chapters in the same story—the story of reliability.
Advancing Aerospace Excellence: Emerald’s Medford Team Earns Space Addendum Certification
06/30/2025 | Emerald TechnologiesWe’re thrilled to announce a major achievement from our Medford, Oregon facility. Andy Abrigo has officially earned her credentials as a Certified IPC Trainer (CIT) under the IPC J-STD-001 Space Addendum, the leading industry standard for space and military-grade electronics manufacturing.