-
- News
- Books
Featured Books
- smt007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current IssueCounterfeit Concerns
The distribution of counterfeit parts has become much more sophisticated in the past decade, and there's no reason to believe that trend is going to be stopping any time soon. What might crop up in the near future?
Solder Printing
In this issue, we turn a discerning eye to solder paste printing. As apertures shrink, and the requirement for multiple thicknesses of paste on the same board becomes more commonplace, consistently and accurately applying paste becomes ever more challenging.
A Culture of Thriving
One cannot simply command thriving; it must be nurtured, developed, and encouraged. In this issue, we explore strategies to improve your working relationship model—both internally and externally. In this culture of thriving, your business will grow in the process.
- Articles
- Columns
Search Console
- Links
- Media kit
||| MENU - smt007 Magazine
Four Silver Linings in the Stormy Clouds of Pandemic, Supply Chain, and Inflation
September 14, 2022 | Dr. Ronald C. Lasky, Indium Corp.Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
It may be difficult to see any bright spots in the current economic situation. We have all experienced the devastation of the pandemic, supply chain issues, and most recently, inflation. However, as a senior technologist for an international materials supplier (Indium Corporation) and a professor of engineering at an Ivy League research university (Dartmouth College), I offer these four silver linings for those of us in the electronics industry.
Silver Lining 1: Demand
Because of the pandemic and supply chain issues, there exists an insatiable demand for electronics. Nearly all industries are dependent on electronics. For example, many auto-mobiles are structurally assembled, but are awaiting electronics installation. For example, I’m currently waiting on a Volvo that was ordered in May and is not expected until October; the hold-up is the lack of electronics.
Silver Lining 2: Greater Supply Independence
The shortages during the pandemic and more recent supply chain issues are driving a sense that countries like the United States must be more independent for supply from unstable countries and regions. Most notable, action to support this concern is the recent passage of the CHIPS and Science Act. As in Silver Lining 1, this bill, although controversial in many aspects, will almost certainly lead to more jobs in electronics. I think we will see this independent drive go beyond electronics to pharmaceuticals, machine tools, rare earth metals, and other critical materials and finished products.
Silver Lining 3: STEM Education
Not only will the United States need more engineers and technicians to develop and manufacture semiconductors and other high technology products like electrical vehicles, but the world has also seen how much supply chain challenges affect our lives. More scientists and engineers will be needed to improve the operations, transportation, and final delivery of the goods we all need to prosper in the 21st century. All these needs will be a boon to STEM education.
Silver Lining 4: Inflation
We have all suffered from inflation, mild at first and rampant now. It appears that much of the inflation is driven by the cost of fossil fuels. These high costs drive not just transportation, but fertilizer prices, food, construction—almost everything. This is where electronics can come to the rescue. Electronics are one of the few consumer products we purchase that historically come down in price. I was recently shopping and saw a 70-inch flat panel TV for less than $700. Just a few years ago, that TV would have cost about $2,000.
Conclusion
The United States and the rest of the world still have multiple challenges ahead, including supply and staff shortages, wars, and unrest. But with the near insatiable need for ever-increasing high-performing electronics, those of us in this vital industry are blessed indeed.
This article originally appears in the September 2022 issue of SMT007 Magazine.
Ronald C.?Lasky is an instructional professor?of engineering?for the Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth College, and senior technologist at Indium Corporation.?Dr. Lasky is also an I-Connect007 columnist who contributes to SMT007 Magazine. To visit his columnist page,?click here.?
Download The Printed Circuit Assembler’s Guide to… Solder Defects by Christopher Nash and Dr. Ronald C. Lasky. You can also view other titles in our full I-007eBooks library.
Suggested Items
AIM to Highlight NC259FPA Ultrafine No Clean Solder Paste at SMTA Space Coast Expo & Tech Forum
10/22/2024 | AIMAIM Solder, a leading global manufacturer of solder assembly materials for the electronics industry, is pleased to announce its participation in the upcoming SMTA Space Coast Expo & Tech Forum taking place on November 14 at the Melbourne Auditorium in Melbourne, Florida.
AIM to Present on High Reliability and Highlight NC259FPA Ultrafine No Clean Solder Paste at SMTA South China Expo & Tech Forum
10/18/2024 | AIMAIM Solder, a leading global manufacturer of solder assembly materials for the electronics industry, is pleased to announce its participation in the upcoming SMTA South China Expo & Tech Forum taking place November 6-7 at the Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center in Shenzhen, China.
All Flex Solutions Invests in Assembly Inspection Automation
10/17/2024 | All Flex SolutionsAll Flex has acquired an Omron VP9000 3D Solder Paste Inspection System and an Omron VT-S1080 3D Automatic Optical Inspection System for their flexible circuit assembly facility in Bloomington, Minnesota. These acquisitions are one part of All Flex Solutions’ four-year SMT Roadmap to expand the scale and capability of their assembly operations.
TopLine to Exhibit 'Drop-in Replacement' for BGA at Electronica
10/16/2024 | TopLineTopLine Corporation will exhibit its latest technology solutions at Electronica in Munich, Germany, November 12 – 15, 2024, in stand B4.428.
Indium Experts to Present at International Electronics Manufacturing Technology Conference
10/15/2024 | Indium CorporationIndium Corporation is proud to announce its participation in the upcoming International Electronics Manufacturing Technology Conference (IEMT), taking place October 16-18 in Penang, Malaysia.