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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.

Real Time with… IPC APEX EXPO 2024: IPC's Workforce Training and Onboarding Solutions

IPC's Kelly Allen and Carlos Plaza chat about the organization's workforce training courses. They discuss the importance of efficient onboarding, the challenges and opportunities in integrating new hires, and IPC's solutions for a smoother onboarding process. They also touch on expert involvement in IPC education and introduce new courses on component identification and standards.

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

Recently, I was reading a report from Deloitte on the Mexican economy (and don’t judge me what I read while I wait my turn at the gym). This particular report is cited in an interview scheduled for the June 2024 issue of SMT007 Magazine. I made note of a few things.

Listen to I-Connect007’s Latest Podcast Episode: Empowering Electrical Engineers

I-Connect007 is thrilled to announce the release of the latest episode in Series 3 of its popular podcast, On the Line With... , available now on Apple and Spotify.

Real Time with… IPC APEX EXPO 2024: IPC's Push for Sustainability in Electronics

Editor Marcy LaRont speaks with Dr. Kelly Scanlon, lead sustainability strategist for IPC, during IPC APEX EXPO 2024. They explore the organization's heightened emphasis on sustainability, the creation of a Sustainability for Electronics Leadership Council by IPC, their sustainability strategy, and their part in standards and education. Kelly also underscores the significance of industry participation and invites experts to contribute to sustainability initiatives.

Peter Sarmanian Corporate Recognition Award: Summit Interconnect

Congratulations to Summit Interconnect for receiving the 2024 Peter Sarmanian Corporate Recognition Award. This award was named for a former IPC Board Chairman and recognizes an IPC-member company in the printed board industry (PCB) that has supported IPC through participation in technical and management programs while providing leadership for the industry.

Scalable ZLD and a Solution for PCB Start-ups

Alex Stepinski talks about his business priorities for this year and what the market, particularly aerospace and defense, needs for orders to be filled. Learn about his goal to develop a central recycling system with a good ROI so that every shop will be able to afford it.

The Ever-expanding Horizons of PCB Manufacturing: Global Trends and Local Impacts

The global printed circuit board industry is in an unprecedented transformation, driven by a confluence of technological advancements, shifting market dynamics, and geopolitical factors. As the demand for advanced electronics continues to soar, investment in the PCB sector is witnessing a remarkable uptick, with notable developments reshaping the landscape. Concurrently, the emergence of new local PCB shops, defense contracts bolstering supply chain resilience, growth projections across different regions in 2024, and the inflation outlook collectively delineate the evolving panorama of PCB manufacturing.

Inkjet Innovations and Environmental Leadership with Taiyo

Marcy LaRont catches up with John Fix from Taiyo America to discuss Taiyo's innovative products and strategic partnerships, including their development of new products to meet evolving industry standards such as SVHC free material and advancements in inkjet technology. They touch on the impact of automation and Taiyo’s AT100 robotic offering, as well as their expansion of direct employees in Europe to provide greater support to that region.

The Data Brings Us Together

IPC APEX EXPO 2024 wrapped up after a week of immersion in printed circuits and electronics manufacturing, so why did I keep thinking about wood joinery as I flew home rather than fabrication and assembly?

Advocacy: There’s No Time to Waste

In the late 1990s, I worked for a PCB company ardently working to build manufacturing presences in Malaysia, Taiwan, and eventually China’s mainland. For some of us who had the resources, we followed our OEM customers offshore as they began demanding increasingly greater price concessions from their stateside suppliers. The government was not coming to the rescue of the PCB manufacturer, so we rode the changing economic tide as it turned unwaveringly toward globalism and cheaper labor.
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