I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

It’s been a busy week for I-Connect007. Managing Editor Nolan Johnson and I covered PCB West at the Santa Clara Convention Center, and, as you’ll see in my article below the place was packed. It was like going to a trade show in 1999; it’s great to be in crowded aisles again.

We have an article about SMTA International, scheduled for the end of October. I think the trade show season is looking good into 2023. People are done with COVID shutdowns and ready to get back to live trade shows and conferences. We’ll be in Minneapolis to bring you the latest news and technical information.  

We also have a news report about the European Union committing to craft its own version of America’s CHIPS Act. There’s a great interview with Dana Korf and John Strubbe about the latest innovations in materials at TUC. And columnist Paige Fiet explains why she is committed to making manufacturing “cool” again to help recruit and retain young technologists. 

There’s a lot going on this fall. Stay tuned!

The New Chapter: Let’s Make Manufacturing ‘Cool’ Again
Published October 5

Columnist Paige Fiet has made it her mission to make manufacturing cool again. This month, Paige explains what attracted her to PCB assembly, and how she believes the industry can recruit and retain more talented young people. As she explains, manufacturing may not be as “sexy” as computer science, but there are plenty of upsides to this career; we just need to keep spreading the word. In this industry, we all really are in marketing.

Korf and Strubbe: Material Witnesses
Published October 3

This week we published a great interview with columnist Dana Korf and TUC VP of Technology John Strubbe, who discuss the company’s innovations in materials, especially in chip-level packaging and low-loss materials. They also discuss non-traditional materials, such as quartz. Moore’s Law is forcing everyone to constantly evaluate new materials. 

PCB West 2022 Draws Biggest Attendance in Years
Published October 6

This week, PCB West drew the biggest crowd I can remember. Everyone I talked to at the show was upbeat about the industry. Everyone is hiring, though they’re having a hard time filling open positions. I only saw three people wearing masks at the show, and they were far older than I am. Speaking of which, I saw plenty of young people at West. Is our industry becoming cool again? 

It’s an Exciting Time in Electronics
Published October 6

If you’re considering attending SMTA International, SMTA VP of Communications Sal Sparacino is ready to close the deal. Register now! This year’s event, like last year’s, is being held in Minneapolis alongside the Medical Design & Manufacturing (MD&M) show. If you register for one show, you can visit both. What a deal. SMT007 Magazine will be there, so stop by and say hello.

IPC, European Parliament Work to Bolster European Chips Act
Published October 6

Sometimes getting on the bandwagon is a good thing, and the CHIPS Act may be illustrative. After all the recent hullabaloo about the CHIPS Act, Europe is getting in on the “act,” so to speak. Eva Maydell, a member of the European Parliament, told IPC’s European Executive Forum that she is committed to passing a similar European Chips Act. This is great news; if Europe gets on board, it will be easier for us to hold our own politicians accountable for the flowery promises they made this summer to support our supply chain.