Global Citizenship: Together for a Perfect PCB Solution
Smart Automation: Odd-form Assembly—Dedicated Insertion Equipment Matters
Nolan’s Notes: Everyone Has Their Eye on India
I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
June 3, 2022 | Andy Shaughnessy, Design007 MagazineEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
One thing I love about summer is watching the return of the birds and animals in my backyard. Sometimes I feel like Marlin Perkins on Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom. (Most of your remember that show, I imagine.)
My home office is in front of a giant window overlooking a few acres of woods, and things really get interesting in the summer. I’ll be in the middle of a meeting, and a couple of deer will walk by, or an owl will chase some of the smaller birds through the treetops. All the animals get active when the temperature starts to rise.
Things are heating up in the world of PCB design and manufacturing as well. In the past week, we published quite a bit of news—some good, some not so good. Some of the news is mixed, as we see with the EMS industry shipments rising YOY in April, but falling from the previous month. It’s nice to see NASA investing in American small businesses, but they didn’t really have a choice, did they?
We also have some timely articles and columns from our regular contributors to round out this shortened work week. Now, grab some iced tea and get ready for the weekend.
NASA Supports Small Business Research to Power Future Exploration
Published May 30
Like the old saying goes: If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself. NASA realized that the bullpen of small-business aerospace contractors is looking a tad lean, and it’s only going to get worse in the future. NASA has decided to invest almost $50 million in small companies located across the U.S. under the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. It looks like the feds are starting to get a clue.
All Systems Go!: Can You Design Without Electronic Data Management?
Published June 2
Can you design a PCB today without electronic data management system? You probably can, but it might take you longer and leave you open to more errors, as columnist Nitin Bhagwath says in this article. He also answers a question we’ve heard quite a few times over the years: What’s the difference between PLM and PDM? Aren’t they basically the same? Nitin explains why the two are definitely not synonymous.
Surveying the Fab Landscape: Where to Find ROI
Published June 1
It all comes down to making a return on your investment, and earning a solid ROI as a fabricator is no easy task. In this interview, Torsten Reckert of all4-PCB shares some tips for manufacturers seeking to bring in good ROI numbers, including implementing more automation.
North American EMS Industry Up 4.3% in April
Published May 31
We saw a little bit of positive news in the EMS segment, as well as a little negative. North American EMS shipments in April 2022 rose 4.3% YOY. But April shipments dropped 10.7% from the previous month. EMS bookings in April dropped 7.2% YOY and 2.4% from March. We’re keeping an eye on this segment.
IPC Training Course: PCB Design for Military & Aerospace Applications
Published May 30
IPC is expanding its milaero PCB design curriculum offerings with an upcoming training class titled PCB Design for Military & Aerospace Applications. The course will be held every Tuesday and Thursday from June 7–July 14, and presented by a veteran IPC-certified milaero design expert.
Share on:
Testimonial
"In a year when every marketing dollar mattered, I chose to keep I-Connect007 in our 2025 plan. Their commitment to high-quality, insightful content aligns with Koh Young’s values and helps readers navigate a changing industry. "
Brent Fischthal - Koh YoungSuggested Items
Nortech Systems Achieves Enhanced Fiber Optic Performance
09/16/2025 | Nortech SystemsNortech Systems Incorporated, a leading provider of design and manufacturing solutions for complex electromedical devices and electromechanical systems, announced significant advancements in its fiber optic capabilities.
Altair, Wichita State University’s NIAR Sign MoU to Accelerate Aerospace Innovation
09/16/2025 | AltairAltair, a global leader in computational intelligence, and Wichita State University’s (WSU) National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR), one of the world’s leading aerospace research institutions, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to advance innovation across the aerospace and defense industries.
India’s Aerospace and Defence Engineered for Power, Driven by Electronics
09/16/2025 | Gaurab Majumdar, Global Electronics AssociationWith a defence budget of $82.05 billion (2025–26) and a massive $223 billion earmarked for aerospace and defence spending over the next decade, India is rapidly positioning itself as a major player in the global defence and aerospace market.
Honeywell-Led Consortium Receives UK Government Funding to Revolutionize Aerospace Manufacturing
09/02/2025 | HoneywellA consortium led by Honeywell has received UK Government funding for a project that aims to revolutionize how critical aerospace technologies are manufactured in the UK through the use of AI and additive manufacturing.
Coherent Announces Agreement to Sell Aerospace and Defense Business to Advent for $400 Million
08/15/2025 | AdventCoherent Corp., a global leader in photonics, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Aerospace and Defense business to Advent, a leading global private equity investor, for $400 million. Proceeds will be used to reduce debt, which will be immediately accretive to Coherent’s EPS.