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The Critical Role of Materials

Materials and substrates are an ongoing discussion for PCB fabricators today, offering PCB designers and fabricators much more choice than was available two decades ago. When it comes to running a printed circuit board company, material management is a critical piece for operations.

Traditional Materials, High-Frequency Boards?

Not long ago, high-frequency and RF boards required specialized laminates, which tend to be costly and difficult to manufacture. But now, high-frequency designers use traditional PCB laminates for certain high-frequency boards. How is this possible? For some insight, we asked Ed Kelley, founder of Four Peaks Innovation and former CTO of Isola, to discuss how traditional materials have improved and what this means to PCB designers and design engineers today.

IPC Impact Day Recap With Rich Cappetto

IPC has hosted its annual IPC Impact Day in Washington, D.C., for at least the past decade, with the first event taking place in the 1990s. This popular and important advocacy tool allows an industry segment to meet their local congresspeople, educate them on important issues, and influence new or existing legislation to support their interests. We spoke with Rich Cappetto, senior director of North American government relations at IPC, about the importance of the event and what it means for the greater PCB industry. He also highlighted an important change: There will be several IPC Impact Days throughout the year to allow smaller groups of industry professionals to visit Washington more often with a more targeted message.

Looking Into Space: EIPC Summer Conference, Part 2

“Innovative Development of PCB Technology and Design” was the theme of the second session of the 2024 EIPC Summer Conference, June 4-5, at the European Space Centre, Noordwijk, The Netherlands.

Off Like a Rocket: A Review of the EIPC Summer Conference, Part 1

Motorway traffic jams, airport car parking, walking for miles, queuing for security, delayed flights—oh, the joys of travelling. I was quickly reminded of my status as a foreigner while waiting patiently in line for a half-hour at passport control to enter the European Union at Amsterdam Schiphol, having flown all the way from London Luton in the United Kingdom, that great distance of 200 miles. 

Revolutionizing PCB Prototyping With ML and AM

Historically, PCB prototyping has been a meticulous and time-consuming process, often laden with complexities and high costs. Traditional methods have typically involved intricate design iterations, extensive manual labor, and significant material waste. However, the advent of AM has revolutionized this landscape, offering a rapid, cost-effective alternative that significantly accelerates the development cycle.

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

This week’s must-reads are comprised of news which moves the industry forward. We’ve had quite a lot of news on a global scale, and they’re all good reads. To winnow down to just five, I chose either new information or interesting takes on ongoing industry stories. To that end, we have news about new capital equipment for advanced packaging, discussions of material selection and the imaging process during PCB fabrication, a columnist's ode to the best engineer she knows, and some optimistic news from the semiconductor industry.

Catching Up With Bob Duke of ASC’s Global Sourcing Division

Since we last talked to Bob Duke, president of American Standard Circuits’ Global Sourcing Division, I wanted to see how things are going and what a difference a year makes. Not surprising, and knowing how Bob operates, things are (spoiler alert) going great. Check it out for yourself.

Manufacturing Differently With Digital Technology

As circuit board manufacturing companies and their equipment suppliers go, you don’t see too many new ones, but groundbreaking technology is a different story. Founded in 2012 and based in Schwetzingen, Germany, Notion Systems is an industry leader in additive manufacturing technology of functional materials and inkjet printing equipment. Their tagline, “The future of additive manufacturing,” was demonstrated when I spoke with Antonio Schmidt, senior vice president of sales and marketing, and David Hahn, vice president of process R&D.

SAT Moving Additive Technology Forward

Hans Fritz started his career as an engineer with Gerber Scientific Instruments in Hartford, Connecticut, later working for Orbotech on its first LDI systems at EIE in Switzerland making photo plotters, and then at Hakuto Europe, a subsidiary of Hakuto Co. in Japan. He has spent the past three decades as general manager at Sense Advanced Technology (SAT), now working with his daughter Milena and business partner Alexander Weigl. “I have moved to the fun part of the business,” Hans says, where he gets to work in new field technologies, including additive and product industrialization processes. “I’m trying to use modern digital additive technologies to make PCBs, fuel cells, metal etching and milling, and PCMI applications.”

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

It’s been a great week. I spent part of the week at PCB East, which was held at the Boxboro Regency in Boxboro, Massachusetts. I haven’t been to Boxboro in about 20 years. The last time I was at PCB East in Boxboro, design instructor Mary Sugden had a hot plate and a supply of bologna in her room, because she preferred fried bologna to anything she could get in a restaurant. Never a dull moment with PCB designers! 

Advancing PCB Technology: A Conversation With John Johnson

John Johnson, an industry veteran with 45 years of experience, shares insights on the adoption of the Averatek process at American Standard Circuits, highlights the shift toward finer lines and spaces in PCB manufacturing, and emphasizes the importance of technology, cleanliness, and material adhesion in achieving ultra-fine lines. He addresses the challenges in advancements of the additive process, emphasizing the need for a mindset shift and employee training.

Will Modern Additive Manufacturing Revolutionize PCB Manufacturing?

In this interview, Alex Stepinski delves into the evolving landscape of additive manufacturing technology in PCB fabrication. He highlights the historical shifts in additive and subtractive processes and emphasizes the recent focus on fine patterning and 3D printing. He discusses the challenges faced in achieving fully additive processes, citing past experiences and the need for extensive process control. The conversation also explores the drivers and barriers to adoption, with Alex underscoring the importance of OEM involvement and targeted marketing efforts.

Real Time with… IPC APEX EXPO 2024: Progress and Opportunities in Industrial Workforce Development

IPC's Cory Blaylock and Victoria Hawkins discuss the exciting progress in workforce issues, with IPC celebrating the approval of their national program standards. The Department of Labor has broadened its list of occupations, notably approving the PCB design engineer role. There are funding opportunities for apprenticeship programs, particularly for underrepresented populations. IPC also offers supportive services for employer companies and workforce development initiatives.

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

This week, our columnists enjoy particular attention with Barry Olney, Mehul Dave, and Happy Holden all providing valuable insight on materials, the critical importance of the front-end engineering process once a PCB design is received, and an overview and observations around IPC APEX EXPO technical sessions.

EOS Brings IPC Standards to South Korea

We are well aware of the saying, “There are no borders in the world economy.” To grow, a company must think about establishing a global customer base, no matter how small the product. So, the product must be manufactured according to a common global standard. In electronics manufacturing, one South Korean company learned that IPC standards should be applied immediately.

Show Review: ​​​​​​​IPC APEX EXPO Was ‘Just Right’

This year's IPC APEX EXPO was like the story of “Goldilocks” for me: not too crowded and not too slow. If it's too crowded, no one has the time to talk because they're too busy with the customers. If it's too slow, all the owners and others interested in M&A go home early. If it’s not so busy, there are more places to sit and the lines are shorter, which can feel just right.

IPC APEX EXPO Retrospective: The Founders Look Back

IPC APEX EXPO 2024 will soon feel like a distant memory, and by all accounts, it was a good show with an impressive display of technical knowledge. During the show, I visited with industry icons and IPC Hall of Fame recipients Dan Feinberg and Gene Weiner, who were among the original visionaries and founders of what became APEX EXPO. These individuals took me on a funny and engaging historic journey and a glimpse into how we arrived today.

Catching Up With Tom Yang of CEE PCB

I was in the Bay Area recently and met with my new friend Tom Yang, CEO of CEE PCB, a $450 million Chinese PCB fabricator. For too long, we have enjoyed the luxury of complaining about Chinese companies without even knowing who they are and what they do. That’s just too easy. My mission was to talk to a real live shop owner in China. With this interview, you will have a better and more personal understanding of CEE and the rest of the Chinese PCB industry.

Real Time with… IPC APEX EXPO 2024: An Introduction to IPC's Validation Services

Randy Cherry, director of IPC's Validation Services (VS) Program, sits down with Editor Marcy LaRont to discuss the program's global success and expansion, touching on the IPC-1791 Trusted Supplier and Cybersecurity List, the QPL/QML programs, and a newly introduced standard being developed in the automotive space. Randy also shares his upcoming travel plans to Australia and expresses his hope that the VS program will see much global growth in the coming months.

Real Time with… IPC APEX EXPO 2024: Exploring e-Mobility

Tracy Riggan, senior director of business development and solutions at IPC, discusses her role and IPC's commitment to tackling emerging issues in the e-mobility industry. At the IPC APEX EXPO, IPC organizes special sessions on e-mobility and power applications and has formed partnerships to meet industry needs. Their technical program has been well-received, and they are actively participating in charging station initiatives.

Saying ‘Yes’ to Additive Technology at Winonics

California-based PCB manufacturer Winonics has been on a journey to develop additive manufacturing technology that can go the distance. CEO Dennis Brown, Director of Technology Gary Abel, and VP of Operations Sidali Koulougli discuss the company’s history, acquisition strategy, and investment in new equipment, as well as highlight their R&D efforts in additive manufacturing. The team's commitment to quality, customer service, and flexibility as a smaller, nimbler company is part of what makes it a go-to PCB manufacturer for the projects that others turn away.

Delving Into Special Sessions at IPC APEX EXPO 2024

Once again, we were back at IPC APEX EXPO for another show and conference, and back to gathering in the Anaheim Convention Center. With Disneyland just across the street, there were tourists everywhere. This APEX EXPO was bigger than ever, with more activities, Professional Development Courses, standards committee meetings, and the 16th Electronic Circuits World Convention. I really enjoyed walking around and seeing everything the show had to offer.

Real Time with… IPC APEX EXPO 2024: GP Ventures: Services, Deals, and Industry Expertise

In an interview with Tom Kaster, president and founder of GP Ventures, we learn about the company's services, recent deals, and the process of selling a small board shop. Key topics include company size considerations, appraisal services, and the differences between asset and stock purchases. The discussion wraps up with insights on confidential discussions and free estimates of value.

IPC Excellence in Education Award: Janene Stinson

Janene Stinson of Boeing is this year’s proud winner of IPC’s Excellence in Education Award. This award recognizes Janene’s work in the defense and aerospace industry for over 30 years, and enduring contribution to workforce development in more than 20 years of teaching and training with IPC.
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