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I-Connect007 Editor's Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
December 23, 2022 | Andy Shaughnessy, Design007 MagazineEstimated reading time: 2 minutes

In this week leading up to Christmas, we have a little bit of everything. Pete Starkey has a review of the most recent EIPC Technical Snapshot, while Tom Kastner discusses the dwindling number of PCB companies in North America. Are we really down to 170 companies? But as Tom says, the news isn’t all bad.
IPC reports that North American PCB sales up 26.1% in November YOY, and the book-to-bill is dead-on at 1.00. Cybord CEO Zeev Efrat explains how his company can provide 100% component inspection. And I have an interview with a student I ran into at PCB Carolina who is working toward his “dream job” on being a technician. As Alex Barile says, he’d hate to work at a desk all day; he likes to install equipment.
I hope you all have a fantastic holiday season. See you on the flip side!
PCB Carolina: Alex Barile Studying for His Dream Job
Published December 22
During PCB Carolina, I met with Alex Barile, a student at Wake Tech who’s studying for his “dream job.” He already builds custom computers, and he knows he doesn’t want to sit at a desk all day; he’d rather be installing and uninstalling equipment. Are you working at your “dream job”? Yes, young people are coming into this industry. It’s a great time to be working in electronics.
EIPC Technical Snapshot: ‘There Is No Green Without Digital’
Published December 22
Our intrepid technology editor Pete Starkey wrote a great review of the 20th EIPC Technical Snapshot. Speaker Pia Tanskanen of Nokia discussed the continuing move toward ESG (environmental, social, governance) in the electronics industry. This concept has been spreading for a few years, and Pia explains how Nokia hopes to embrace “doing well by doing good.”
North American PCB Industry Sales Up 26.1% in November
Published December 21
North American PCB sales rose 26.1% in November, while bookings were down 4.1% compared to last year. As IPC’s Shawn DuBravac explains, “order volume remains muted.” There are still some supply chain kinks that need to be worked out, but it looks like we’re on a positive track.
Cybord: 100% Component Inspection Is Here
Published December 21
Nolan Johnson recently spoke with Cybord CEO Zeev Efrat, whose company claims to provide 100% component inspection services. As Zeev points out, there are millions of components on PCBs; how can anyone achieve 100% inspection? Cybord seems to have found a way. Check it out.
Punching Out: When Less Might Actually Be More
Published December 20
Pop quiz, hot shot! How many PCB companies are left in North America? I would have said 250, but as columnist Tom Kastner points out, GP Ventures pegs that number at 170, down from 199 less than two years ago. Yikes. But the news is not all bad. Read on.
Suggested Items
IPC Hall of Fame Spotlight Series: Highlighting Lionel Fullwood
07/15/2025 | Dan Feinberg, I-Connect007Many IPC members who have contributed significantly to IPC and our industry have been awarded the IPC Raymond E. Pritchard Hall of Fame (HOF) Award. Though many early HOF members have passed away and are unknown to today’s IPC membership, their contributions still resonate. This special series on IPC Hall of Fame members provides a reminder of who was honored and why. As a bonus, for those who are still around, we get to find out what these talented individuals are up to today.
TRI Unveils New Platform for Diverse Board Sizes Search Submit
07/14/2025 | TRITest Research, Inc. (TRI), the leading test and inspection systems provider for the electronics manufacturing industry, proudly introduces a new size configuration for SPI and AOI Models.
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.