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Real Time with… IPC APEX EXPO 2024: Sigma Engineering's Recycling and Regeneration Systems for PCB Etching

Evan Howard of Schmoll America interviews Kristoffer Bjorklund, Sigma Engineering's supply chain manager. We learn about Sigma's recycling and regeneration systems for PCB industry etching and the benefits and challenges of implementing these systems in existing factories.

Real Time with… IPC APEX EXPO 2024: Ventec Discusses New Pro-bond Family of Advanced Products

Chris Hanson, Ventec's Global Head of IMS Technology, outlines the launch of four pro-bond formulas that deliver an outstanding combination of low dissipation factor (Df) with a dielectric constant (Dk) range to maximize the design window for critical PCB parameters. As Chris points out, Pro-bond is designed for low-loss, high-speed applications, while thermal-bond dissipates heat from a component through the board to a heat sink.

The New Industry: Will the Growth Continue?

How sustainable are the primary financial models in the United States regarding PCB fabrication shops? In this interview with economic experts Shawn DuBravac and Tom Kastner, we explore what’s happening with U.S. printed circuit board shops in today’s market, how consolidation affects the industry, and what can be done.

TTM’s High Tech Expansion and Industry Innovation

Tom Edman has been the CEO of TTM Technologies since 2014 and has an extensive background in electronics and manufacturing. TTM is a leading global manufacturer of technology solutions, including mission systems, RF component and RF microwave microelectronics assemblies, and quick turn and advanced technology printed circuit boards.

Real Time with… IPC APEX EXPO 2024: Insight into Summit Interconnect's Success

Shane Whiteside, CEO of Summit Interconnect, discusses the company's recent recognition as one of the best PCB fabricators in the industry by receiving IPC's Peter Sarmanian award. Whiteside touches on the impact of changes in the marketplace, such as the Defense Production Act and presidential determination, on their growth. Whiteside also shares the company's focus on mechanical and data automation to enhance manufacturing processes and anticipates more automation and evolution in the industry.

Real Time with… IPC APEX EXPO 2024: STARTEAM - A Global Presence in PCB Manufacturing

Rob DiGiovanni, VP of sales for the Americas at STARTEAM Global, discusses the company's global presence in PCB manufacturing. As he explains, the firm operates facilities across Europe, Asia, and North America, specializing in serving contract manufacturers in the automotive and medical industries. They emphasize quality and meeting OEM standards, focusing on offshore supply and non-Chinese factories in the North American market. The company has grown through acquisitions and rebranding to offer multiple products.

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

In this week’s roundup, we have a variety of articles covering everything from design through assembly, and even box build. I’ve always wondered whether box build was all it was cracked up to be. Do customers really pick one EMS provider over another because one company offers box build? And if you’ve ever wanted to volunteer, IPC’s Thought Leaders Program is looking for a few good technologists to help them on their mission. Check out Stanton Rak’s article, which was published in the spring issue of IPC Community.

Real Time with… IPC APEX EXPO 2024: Exploring the Future of Surface Finishes

Joe McGurran, product marketing director for MKS Atotech, looks into the future of surface finishes, discussing less nickel, reduced thickness, technologies influencing HDI and UHDI, and the benefits of nickel-free surface finishes. He also touches on popular finishes like ENIG and palladium immersion gold and discusses the value proposition of making a change.

Real Time with... IPC APEX EXPO 2024: Going Vertical: SCHMID's Advanced Solutions for Printed Circuit Boards

Editor Marcy LaRont chats with Bob Ferguson, the president of SCHMID, about advanced solutions for PCBs and the equipment they are highlighting at this year's show. He delves into vertical no-touch handling systems and the prospect of achieving sub-10-micron lines. Inspired by SCHMID's technology, Bob expresses excitement about where the industry is today.

Real Time with... IPC APEX EXPO 2024: Final Finishes and IC Substrate Manufacturing

Editor Marcy LaRont and Richard DePoto, Uyemura's Business Development Manager, engage in a comprehensive discussion about the positive aspects of the show, the benefits of RAIG in final finishes, and the hurdles faced when upgrading your surface finish. Also discussed are the role of Uyemura's MEC pretreatment agents in IC substrate manufacturing and the importance of collaboration and knowledge sharing.

Big Win for Defense Production Act Budget Allocation in FY24 Budget

One year ago, President Biden issued a determination that chips and packaging are critical for national security. Since that time, much work has been done to continue the conversation in Washington, elevating the importance of the entire chips value chain, and including printed circuit boards and substrates, without which chips cannot operate.

Real Time with... IPC APEX EXPO 2024: A Conversation with IPC's CEO: New Venue, Sustainability, and More

Barry Matties hosts Dr. John W. Mitchell, CEO of IPC, on the final day of IPC APEX EXPO 2024. They discuss the new venue in Anaheim and broach a range of topics, from traffic and booth experiences to workforce development, sustainability, and the CHIPS Act. And they offer advice for newcomers as IPC looks forward to an even better show experience next year.

Real Time with... IPC APEX EXPO 2024: all4-PCB, A Premier Solution Provider for the PCB Industry

In the PCB industry, all4-PCB, is a top-tier equipment supplier and process solution provider. Ralph Jacobo highlights the active market and the demand for high-quality equipment, discusses their existing customers, investment in advanced substrates, and smaller board shops.

Growth Potential: Electronics Manufacturing Driving Massive Surge in Manufacturing Investment

In the early months of the pandemic, investment in manufacturing infrastructure, such as plants and production facilities, declined sharply. Real investment dropped over 11%, before finally recovering to pre-pandemic levels in the first half of 2022. Over the past two years, however, several factors have combined to drive manufacturing investment to record levels.

Digitalisation and ESG

Digitalisation and ESG are prominent and high-priority topics in the global business community. The first focuses on applying technology throughout the value chain to produce faster, smarter, and more desirable business outcomes. The latter emphasises the broader value a business is expected to create for its stakeholders from an environmental, social, and governance perspective.

Real Time with... IPC APEX EXPO 2024: Looking Back, Looking Forward With IEC

IEC came to the RTW booth and discussed both the legacy of IEC's past and the vision for its future. Industry veteran Bruno Ferri highlighted his quarter-century tenure in the industry and with IEC since its founding. He still exhibits boundless enthusiasm for the industry. Brando Stone, a young professional and a future face of IEC, talked about IEC's plans going forward and his experience at this year's IPC APEX EXPO.

Real Time with... IPC APEX EXPO 2024: Pluritec's Expansion and Growth in the North American Market

Nicola Doria, president of Pluritec, discusses the company's strategic focus on the North American market, their investment in a new sales organization, service expansion, and a new process integration line. The conversation also covers market response and future installations, as well as Pluritec's new partnership with IEC.

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

For my must-read picks of the week, I’m highlighting Parker Capers, a young professional seeking employment, solid counsel from Dan Beaulieu on what your post-show plan should look like, more information and insight on “chiplets” and the need for secure data transfer standards from columnist Preeya Kuray, as well as Matt Stevenson’s design for reality wisdom. It’s a reminder to download one of our newest books (there are several) you don't want to miss if you are an assembler.

Real Time with... IPC APEX EXPO 2024: Integrating Automation into the North American PCB Market

Dan Beaulieu introduces James Chien from SAA Symtek Automation Asia and Jason Perry from Technica, who are bringing automation to the North American PCB market. They discuss their expertise in automation, equipment sets, and growing opportunities. The focus is on integrating automation into existing shops, considering hardware, software, and flexibility. They also discuss the challenges of modernizing domestic shops and the potential of expanding automation to other markets.

D Coupon Testing and Data Insights With GreenSource Fabrication

Marcy LaRont spoke with Steve Karas of GreenSource Fabrication at the SMTA UHDI conference in March. He presented a case study that GreenSource undertook with a customer on critical via reliability with advanced materials and used the experience to highlight the importance and effectiveness of D coupon testing. He also discussed GreenSource’s approach to data aggregation and a new system they developed to use collected data effectively.

Catching Up With Chasom Electronics

I recently met with Chasom Electronics’ founding director Anil Kumar. Chasom offers a unique menu of services for companies looking to extend their technology capabilities on a short- or long-term basis. Read on to learn about this very unique service company.

Real Time with... IPC APEX EXPO 2024: A Strategic Market Realignment

Marcy LaRont hosts Thomas Kunz of Schmoll Maschinen GmbH and Kurt Palmer of newly formed Schmoll America to discuss the strategic changes and developments at Schmoll with their departure from Burkle North America in this Real Time with... IPC APEX EXPO 2024 video interview.

Water Management in a Large Printed Circuit Board Manufacturer

TTM’s environmental management is grounded in its Environmental Statement and Environmental Policy, which promote measures that make for a more responsible environmental management process. Our management system helps TTM work toward minimizing its environmental footprint and increasing the sustainability of its operations. TTM monitors its environmental performance just as it monitors its operational performance, and provides the resources required to adhere to the Company’s environmental responsibilities.

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

As we publish this week’s most-read news, the I-Connect007 team is wending its way home from an eventful and productive week at IPC APEX EXPO in Anaheim, California. We’ve posted a variety of dispatches from the show this week, released 73 realtimewith.com video interviews (and counting), and also gathered the content and updates you’ll be looking for in the upcoming issue of Show & Tell… IPC APEX EXPO 2024.

Emerging Engineers Get Formal Introduction to IPC APEX EXPO 2024

While IPC APEX EXPO didn’t officially cut the ribbon until Tuesday, several events were already taking place over the previous weekend. Anticipation was running high among professionals eager to explore the latest innovations. Among the highlights of the first day was the Emerging Engineer Reception, which shined a spotlight on the program designed for students and young professionals. This gathering provided a platform for guests to network and mingle, which fostered connections between seasoned industry experts and bright, enthusiastic newcomers.
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