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Real Time with... SMTAI 2024: Summit Interconnect Doing Its Part to Rebuild Industry Expertise

In this interview from the recent SMTAI show, Nolan Johnson speaks with Jesse Vaughan from Summit Interconnect.  Jesse hits the highlights for some of Summit's programs to promote skilled workers in our industry—programs such as apprenticeships, Emerging Engineers, and more.

DIS: Leaping Into Tech and Automation

DIS recently opened a new facility in New York state, providing an abundance of opportunity for DIS and its customers. Jesse Ziomek, president of global business development at DIS, discusses the strides made in tech innovation and automation, expanding DIS’s customer portfolio to address the challenges its customers have been grappling with, and entering new markets such as rigid-flex and flexible PCBs.

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

Just this month, the Fall issue of IPC Community was released, spotlighting the global activities of IPC and its members. SMT007 Magazine covers the scary situation around counterfeit components. Design007 Magazine is not playing tricks with its hard-hitting discussions about “partial HDI.” (If you are asking yourself what that is, you really need to take a look.) Finally, PCB007 Magazine’s alternate metallization issue offers some real treats, including an interview featured this past week with Carmichael Gugliotti of MacDermid Alpha. In you’re in the U.S., here’s to an early Happy Halloween.

Book Excerpt: The Printed Circuit Designer’s Guide to... DFM Essentials, Ch. 1

The guidelines offered in this book are based on both ASC recommendations and IPC standards with the understanding that some may require adjustment based on the material set, fabricator processes, and other design constraints. This chapter details high-frequency materials, copper foil types, metal core PCBs, and the benefits of embedded capacitance and resistor materials in multilayer PCBs.

Exploring Advanced PCB Final Finishing: DIG, RAIG Technologies

In this interview, Rich DePoto of Uyemura provides a deep overview and explanation of Reduction-assisted Immersion Gold (RAIG) and direct immersion gold (DIG) technology, and their applications and benefits when compared to traditional final finishes. He delves into the intricacies of electroless nickel corrosion and “black pad,” exploring its causes, consequences, and the measures that can be taken to mitigate this problem. This comprehensive overview will provide insight toward sound decision-making for those operating in environments where perfect process control is a challenge.

Highlights of the ICT 50th Anniversary Symposium

Why does it always rain when I attend these events? Temperatures were dropping, daylight was shrinking, and there were seasonal colour changes in wet hedgerows as I travelled to Gloucestershire for the 50th Anniversary Symposium of the Institute of Circuit Technology at Puckrup Hall near Tewkesbury in mid-October. It was a memorable occasion: Nostalgic for my contemporaries who remembered our industry at its most prosperous, technically outstanding in the quality and significance of presentations to an attentive audience of printed circuit professionals, and complemented by the sharing of ideas, information, and trade gossip within a friendly community at the evening gathering.

The IPC Hall of Fame and Its Namesake

IPC has been advancing our industry since the organization was founded more than 60 years ago, but it could not have been done without the volunteer efforts of so many members. Each year, some of those members are recognized for their significant contributions through awards such as the Rising Star Award, the Dieter Bergman Fellowship Award, the President's Award, and the Corporate Recognition Award.

Spotlight on Jayda: Ucamco's Revolutionary PCB Quoting Software

Ucamco has developed Jayda, a groundbreaking PCB quoting software that significantly streamlines and enhances the efficiency of obtaining fast and accurate quotes. Born out of their Integ8tor solution, Jayda leverages advanced algorithms to quickly analyze PCB design files and assess complexity with a very rapid turnaround.

The Cost-Benefit Analysis of Direct Metallization

Carmichael Gugliotti of MacDermid Alpha discusses the innovative realm of direct metallization technology, its numerous applications, and significant advantages over traditional processes. Carmichael offers an in-depth look at how direct metallization, through developments such as Blackhole and Shadow, is revolutionizing PCB manufacturing by enhancing efficiency, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness. From its origins in the 1980s to its application in cutting-edge, high-density interconnects and its pivotal role in sustainability, this discussion sheds light on how direct metallization shapes the future of PCB manufacturing across various industries, including automotive, consumer electronics, and beyond.

AEMS: Expanding Del Mar’s Vibe into Anaheim

In the final hours of the Anaheim Electronics & Manufacturing Show (AEMS), I spoke with show managers Doug Bodenstab and Connor Good. Doug, a longtime surfer, is also the founder and manager of the Del Mar Electronics & Manufacturing Show at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. I asked Doug and Connor to discuss how the Anaheim show got started and the impact it’s making on the industry.

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

Occasionally, I’ll intentionally select items for this list that follow a theme. Sometimes, as they did this week, themes assert themselves. The component supply chain and sourcing seem to dominate our coverage this week. We’ve got an update from IPC Government Relations, an interview with counterfeiting watchdog ERAI, the 10 global sourcing rules, a course on AI and machine learning in the EMS sector, and warehouse management.

BOOK EXCERPT: The Printed Circuit Designer’s Guide to... DFM Essentials, Introduction

Design for Manufacturing (DFM) is defined as the practice of designing printed circuit boards that meet not only the capabilities of the customer’s assembly manufacturing process, but also the capabilities of the board fabrication process to provide the highest reliability at the lowest possible cost. 

Catching Up With SDM’s Holland Jackson

A few months ago, I received a call from Holland Jackson, founder and president of Sales Driven Marketing (SDM). To say it’s a whole new kind of sales company would be an understatement. This is a complete plug-and-play sales company that handles all aspects of the sale from SEO to lead generation to sales. I think you will be intrigued by this interview.

Fall 2024 Issue of IPC Community Now Available

There’s so much happening at IPC, so be sure to open the latest issue of IPC Community, brimming with must-read features on members of the electronics industry who are making a difference in their own unique way. Just for starters, our member profiles feature Virginia-based Weidmuller, a heart-warming story from E-Tron, and you’ll discover how the owners of Out of the Box Manufacturing are successfully tackling workforce talent challenges.

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

This week’s roundup is a duke’s mixture of news items and interviews with industry experts from design, fabrication and assembly. There’s a lot going on in electronics now. We’ll be bringing you full coverage of SMTA International the week of Oct. 20-24, so stay tuned.

It’s a Wrap for PCB West 2024

PCB West 2024 wraps up Friday, Oct. 11 at the Santa Clara Convention Center (SCCC) in sunny Santa Clara, California. The SCCC is situated next to the “new” Levi’s Stadium, home to the San Francisco 49ers, and directly adjacent to California’s Great America amusement park—both noteworthy landmarks for natives like me. The technical conference, Oct. 8-11, featured 50 technical presentations by 39 different speakers.

The SD11 Inkjet Printer and Ventec Giga Solutions

Ventec expanded last year to provide greater portfolio solutions to its customers, all of which are aligned with Ventec’s core business in laminates and distribution products. I sat down with Ventec Giga Solutions’ Commercial Director Leigh Allinson, who is deeply rooted in both the PCB and supply chain sectors. He explores the innovative realms of the company and its cutting-edge SD11 inkjet printer. Leigh brings insight into the fabric of the electronics manufacturing industry through the lens of pushing technology limits and delving into the strategic expansions of Ventec Giga Solutions.

Inside the New Facility at DIS

DIS has long been known as an equipment builder dedicated to PCB and assembly registration. Amidst a backdrop of increasing sales and expanding product lines, DIS has inaugurated a new facility and doubled its previous footprint. This move was aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and addressing space constraints that had plagued them for years, as well as allowing for the opportunity to expand their technology offering for their customers. In this candid conversation, Tony Faraci, owner and president of DIS, and Jesse Ziomek, DIS global sales director, delve into recent strategic advancements propelling the company forward.

AEMS: Third Time’s the Charm

You’ve probably heard of the Del Mar Electronics & Manufacturing Show (DMEMS). Since 1995, PCB design and manufacturing technologists have flocked to this seminal event at the Del Mar Fairgrounds near San Diego. Originally a regional show, Del Mar has grown yearly and attracts an outsized group of attendees and exhibitors. So, event founder Doug Bodenstab took his vision northward and launched the Anaheim Electronics & Manufacturing Show (AEMS).   

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

Fall presents us with a lot of tradeshow activity, such as the Anaheim Electronics & Manufacturing Show, which kicked off the month in California. Our intrepid managing editor Andy Shaughnessy has been on the scene and I look forward to hearing more about the show from him. Next week, we’ll be at PCB West in the Bay Area, followed by SMTAI in Chicago the following week. For me, it feels like a proper launch into standard Q4 craziness highlighted by the end-of-year sales hustle and frenetic finalization of 2025 budgets. October also brings a stark reminder that the holiday season will soon be upon us. So, let the crazy begin.

Stringent High-speed Requirements Pose Technology Challenges

The ever-increasing demands on printed circuit boards to satisfy the needs of tomorrow’s products means that PCB manufacturers must continuously evolve and react to a wide variety of technological and market requirements such as: Functional density: Finer features, higher density, and increased layers; signal integrity: Higher frequencies, driven by higher data transfer speeds and increased data needs; material properties refinement: Must meet performance as well as environmental demands; Smart manufacturing: Automation, robotics, artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality, and machine learning are all part of the future PCB manufacturing floor; and time-to-market: Increased urgency to facilitate new design implementation, product introduction and qualification, quicker market differentiation, and survival.

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

If you know Dave Hoover of TTM, then I am honored to inform you that he has retired from the industry as of this week. But we can keep tabs on him through his weekly online blues radio program “Groovy Hoovy’s Different Shades of Blue Radio and Video Show.” Congratulations on your transition to “civilian” life, Dave.

Tech Trajectories: Projecting Trend Advancements

Reflecting on technological advancements and examining how foundational technology trends evolve is essential to seeing where the world and society are headed. Last year, significant strides were made in data governance, automation, edge computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and the metaverse. IEEE Standards Association (IEEE SA) is keeping its eye on what’s ahead for these technologies that are transforming various industry sectors. In this article, I’ll examine the current state of these technologies and outline the advancements and directions we expect ahead.

Data-driven Industrial Digital Solutions Drive Quality and Reduce Costs

Data-driven digital solutions for decision support, process optimization, and operational efficiency have emerged as essential elements for the PCB manufacturing industry, leveraging technologies such as IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things), machine learning (ML), and artificial intelligence (AI) to provide real-time insights into equipment health and performance in the first place.  In the following article, we will explore the importance and impact of data-driven solutions on industrial operations.

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

It’s been a busy week in the world of PCB design and manufacturing. In this week’s roundup, there’s a little bit of everything. We have a look at PCB technology of tomorrow, an interview with an engineer who designs both PCBs and ICs, and government relations news from Washington, D.C. We also have an article on dispensing technology, and a final installment of our podcast on “designing for reality.”
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