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I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
August 26, 2022 | Andy Shaughnessy, Design007 MagazineEstimated reading time: 2 minutes

This week we have quite a variety of articles for you. There has been so much electronics industry news coming out of Washington, D.C., that it can be hard to keep track of what’s going on. So, Editor Michelle Te compiled a handy-dandy reference guide to recent legislation news, including our exclusive coverage. We need to keep an eye on these senators and representatives. They’ve been talking about the importance of our industry for the past year, but this is an election year, after all. They’ve been known to say one thing and do another.
We have some good news in the EMS segment, but it’s tempered with some not-so-good news. Isn’t that how it goes lately? We also have a great article by Cherie Litson on design techniques that can cut manufacturing costs, and an IPC call for participation in upcoming eco-design guidelines. We also featured an interview with ACE’s James Hofer about board shop pricing—is it time to raise your rates? James shares a few interesting ideas for board shops to consider when yet another supplier announces a price increase.
North American EMS Industry Up 22.7% in July
Published August 26
There’s a bit of good news in the EMS world, with July EMS shipments up 22.7% year-over-year. A high book-to-bill ratio of 1.39 is a good harbinger. But orders were down YOY in the first half of the year. The supply chain is still a big challenge, but we’re seeing improvements every month.
What’s Going On in Congress? Your Handy Guide to PCB Legislation Headlines
Published August 22
There’s been a lot of action in Washington, D.C. lately, as legislators and bureaucrats begin to understand the importance of our industry. At least they’re talking about supporting the domestic electronics manufacturing industry. Editor Michelle Te put together this handy compendium of the recent electronics industry news coming out of the capital of the free world.
IPC Issues Call for Participation: Help Shape the Future of Design for Environment Standards
Published August 22
IPC wants you! The 1-14 DFX Committee is reviewing IPC-2231A and plans to revise it within two years, and the group wants your input. They plan to create an eco-design for electronics guideline, so if you have experience in green PCB design or manufacturing techniques, get in touch with the committee.
Board Pricing Challenges and Opportunities
Published August 24
As we all know, the price of everything is going up, and if you own a board shop, you’re at least considering raising your rates, if you haven’t already. We asked Accurate Circuit Engineering General Manager James Hofer to share his thoughts on board pricing—the challenges and the opportunities.
Design Tips for Lowering Costs of Fab and Assembly
Published August 25
Our friend Cherie Litson of Litson1 Consulting has a great article full of design tips for cutting fab and assembly costs. Some of these ideas may seem counterintuitive, such as adding layers and using higher-temp materials, but they may reduce overall costs in the end. Design is a game of trade-offs, isn’t it? Check it out.
Suggested Items
DuPont Unveils Brand Identity for Qnity, Future Electronics Spin-Off
05/15/2025 | PRNewswireDuPont unveiled the branding of Qnity, the planned independent Electronics public company that will be created through the intended spin-off of its Electronics business*.
K & F Electronics Invests in Workforce Training with IPC-A-610
05/15/2025 | K & F ElectronicsIn a strategic move to prioritize employee development and uphold quality standards, K & F Electronics, a third-generation, family-owned printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturer based in Fraser, Michigan, used a recent period of reduced production to certify its employees in IPC-A-610, the industry standard for the acceptability of electronic assemblies.
Canadian Circuits Inc. Unveils Rapid Prototype PCB Assembly Service to Accelerate Innovation
05/14/2025 | Canadian Circuits, Inc.Canadian Circuits Inc. (CCI), a leading provider of high-quality, made-in-Canada, Printed Circuit Board (PCB) solutions, is proud to announce the launch of its Prototype PCB Assembly (PCBA) service. This new offering enhances CCI’s commitment to empowering engineers and OEMs by accelerating the journey from concept to product launch with precision and efficiency in electronics manufacturing.
From DuPont to Qnity: A Bold Move in Electronics Materials
05/14/2025 | Marcy LaRont, I-Connect007DuPont has announced the intended spinoff of a public independent electronics company, Qnity, which will serve as a solutions provider to the semiconductor and electronics industries to enhance competitiveness and innovation in advanced computing, smart technologies, and connectivity. In this interview, Jon Kemp, Qnity CEO-elect and current president of DuPont’s Electronics business, shares his insights on the strategic separation from DuPont.
Legislative Update: Is the SEMI Investment Act Inclusive of PCB and Substrates?
05/13/2025 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamIn response to this week's news about new U.S. legislation being put forth by SEMI to support our domestic electronics supply chain—the Strengthening Essential Manufacturing and Industrial (SEMI) Investment Act—IPC’s Richard Capetto, senior director of North American Government Relations, made the following statement.