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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.”

Understanding Cleaning Challenges for Automated Solder Paste Dispensing

In today’s rapidly evolving electronics manufacturing landscape, staying abreast of innovative technologies is crucial. As solder paste and substrate materials continually evolve and become more complex, optimizing production methods with the latest technology ensures performance and quality while reducing operational costs.

Global Perspectives: The Future of PCB Technology

It has been a while since we talked to a multi-company Asian-based PCB fabricator. Based on the markets served, Asia-based fabricators already utilize the highest-tech PCB processing equipment and materials. Where does that leave the rest of the world? Joe Dickson, an executive at Wus in China, candidly shares his observations, experiences, and perspective of an American working for an Asian-based PCB fabricator, envisioning a realistic future for the PCB fabrication industry.

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

At the top of my list is “Silicon to Systems,” an interview with technology experts from IPC: Matt Kelly, Devan Iyer, and Kris Moyer. Also, this week, we hear from I-Connect007 Managing Editor Nolan Johnson, who’s been in Mexico for SMTA Guadalajara. Speaking of Mexico, I want to highlight an interview that appeared in IPC Community between Lorena Villanueva and Barjouth Aguilar of Flex, who talk about the importance of sustainability. I wrap up my recommendations with articles about solder printing and wet process control.

Grow, Pause, Grow: A Report From SMTA Guadalajara

Two years ago, the EMS industry in Mexico—spurred by the EV and medical markets, and accelerated by changing trade relations with China—was growing by leaps and bounds. In fact, recently, SMT007 Magazine reported on the near-shoring effects. This week’s SMTA Guadalajara Expo and Tech Forum reflects that growth through the show’s rapid expansion and high-energy enthusiasm.

A Parametric Approach to the Environmental Impact of PCB Fabrication

Sustainability for electronics is receiving more attention due to environmental concerns, regulatory obligations, and to ensure competitiveness in a growing market for sustainable products. To facilitate the discussion on the environmental impact of electronics, there is a strong need for data on energy use, carbon footprint, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, hazardous chemicals used during manufacturing, waste generation, etc. 

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

This week’s Top 5 starts with steps you can take to cultivate a culture of thriving. We also have bullish news from the global semiconductor sector, advice on how to tease out hidden cost drivers during the PCB design cycle, how the Altium-Ansys collaboration will affect design, and Happy Holden’s version of Occam’s Razor—three simple tools to keep your wet processes in line.

Automation Innovations and Better Process Control

Mark Skaer specializes in automation at Omron. In this interview, he sheds light on the challenges and solutions integrating sophisticated automation technologies in various manufacturing settings by emphasizing the importance of understanding customer needs to tailor effective solutions. With a rich background in electrical engineering, Mark plays a pivotal role in showcasing Omron’s state-of-the-art automation capabilities through trade shows and technical demonstrations.

Young Professionals Spotlight: Process Engineer Kevin Dial, American Standard Circuits

When I heard that my friends at American Standard Circuits had hired a new, fresh-out-of-college process engineer, I was anxious to meet him. Now, you get to read this interview. It’s a rare perspective of a young man new to our industry.

Opportunity Knocks

IPC member DETEX Corporation of New Braunfels, Texas, like so many similar companies, strives to cultivate a highly skilled workforce to meet the growing demand for electronics assembly professionals. But also like many companies, DETEX, which engineers and manufactures security products, has struggled to hire qualified workers. Most employees are hired without certification or experience. Providing on-the-job training (OJT) without technical instruction has been met with limited success.

Audits: A Critical Element of Process Control

A formal audit always seems difficult to justify. Companies do not want the expense, and employees do not want the hassle. There is always a chance of failure, and management struggles to understand the benefits. If you or your company has had issues with auditing, hopefully, this article will help you feel a little more comfortable about the auditing process.
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