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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.

Catching Up With TapRen Tech Solutions’ Tristan Ren

I am always looking for companies that develop new and innovative ways of doing things, so I was delighted when I got a call from Tristan Ren, who wanted to tell me about his new company TapRen Tech Solutions. As I talked to “Ren,” I realized this was not your normal value-added broker. (I know everyone hates that term but that’s what many of these companies are.)

Real Time with… IPC APEX EXPO 2024: Custom PCB Solutions With Adura

Columnist Dan Beaulieu and Sumit Tomar, CEO of Adura, discuss the company's comprehensive manufacturing of custom PCBs. The company excels in thermal PCB technology for enhanced conductivity. As Sumit explains, they also plan to venture into power management, leveraging their U.S.-based manufacturing capabilities.

Real Time with… IPC APEX EXPO 2024: Automation in North American PCB Shops

Benmayor Group has entered the North American market's automation landscape with their Technosystem division. In this interview, Eduardo Benmayor highlights this underinvestment and current efforts to catch up and address challenges related to strategic planning. Eduardo shares Technosystem's automation journey, from simple equipment to robotic arms, stressing the importance of machine communication and data analysis. He also offers advice on implementing automation in older facilities.

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

This week, trade shows are at the top of our feed, with our coverage of the Del Mar Electronics and Manufacturing Show and IPC APEX EXPO. These two longtime events are almost polar opposites in size and scope, but Del Mar seems to be expanding from its roots as a “neighborhood gathering” with its move into the Del Mar Fairgrounds. The Del Mar show always has a good “buzz factor,” which is something you can’t buy.

Real Time with… IPC APEX EXPO 2024: Insulectro on Attracting Young Talent to the Electronics Manufacturing Industry

Insulectro's Doug Gotelli and Mitchell Benson explore the challenges of drawing young talent into the electronics manufacturing industry. They underscore the significance of manufacturing and the urgency of tackling the workforce shortage. They also discuss internship programs, the industry's resilience amid the pandemic, and the rewarding experiences of working in this sector.

A Review of the 2024 Del Mar Electronics and Manufacturing Show

The Del Mar Electronics and Manufacturing Show (DMEMS) in Del Mar, California, recently took place at an unlikely venue: the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Doug Bodenstab, founder and show organizer, says the show covers everything in electronics manufacturing: design tools, components, base materials, training, testing, board fabrication, AI, data analytics, and more. While you can find about anything online these days, Bodenstab adds that there is no substitute for meeting people in person.

Real Time with… IPC APEX EXPO 2024: Summit Interconnect: Ready for Challenges of Today and Tomorrow

Guest Editor Gabriel Zepeda and John Vaughan, VP of strategic markets for Summit Interconnect, highlight the challenges in the PCB sector, such as the dwindling number of fabricators and the trend towards miniaturization. As John points out, Summit was a founding member of the Printed Circuit Board Association of America, which has grown to 50 member and aims to educate legislators, while funding opportunities support chip operations.

Do You Think Enough About Ergonomics?

Vitorio Lorenzini, a workstation design expert with Assembled Product Specialists, discusses the importance of ergonomics in the workplace. He emphasizes the value of early involvement in workstation planning to optimize space and resources, ultimately enhancing workflow efficiency. 

Real Time with... IPC APEX EXPO 2024: Electra's Passion for Inkjet Solder Mask Technology

Don Monn, national sales manager for Electra Polymers, discusses his transition to Electra and the benefits of inkjet solder mask technology. He emphasizes the significance of product passion and understanding customer issues. Don also outlines Electra's mission and expansion plans, and addresses the current state of the PCB market and the importance of education.

Listen Up: Popular Podcast Series Returns With Discussion of Electroless Copper

In the latest episode of the podcast series, On the Line With: Designing for Reality, Nolan Johnson returns to Sunstone Circuits in Mulino, OR, to continue down the manufacturing process with Matt Stevenson.

Real Time with… IPC APEX EXPO 2024: Precision Tools and Problem-solving With Perfect Point

In an interview with Guest Editor Dan Beaulieu, Alex Girardot, a field applications engineer with Perfect Point, shares his experiences with precision tooling. Alex also discusses a challenging project involving thick boards and small diameter holes in which Carbonite tools with a hybrid design were used. They also discuss the trend toward smaller hole sizes.

Real Time with… IPC APEX EXPO 2024: Amitron - Modernizing a PCB Facility

Aidan Salvi, chief transformation officer at Amitron, discusses modernizing the company's PCB facility including equipment selection, installation, process redefinition, staff upskilling, university engagement, and customer relationship building. Emphasizing that this is a significant endeavor not to be undertaken lightly, Aidan highlights the importance of focus, software technology use, and a step-by-step approach to modernization. He recommends caution when assessing whether to approach factory modernization as one big project or take a more measured approach to modernize in segments.

Real Time with… IPC APEX EXPO 2024: The Success and Future of IPS's Vertical Technology

Mike Brask reports on his experience at the show, telling us about the buzz surrounding the vertical technology offerings at IPS, and its benefits. He highlights their customer-centric approach, future growth strategies, and the challenges in workforce management. The conversation also touches upon their recruitment strategies and expresses optimism for the industry's future.

Star Wars and Disney: ‘Spinning the Script’ With Paul Bailey

Paul Bailey has quite a story to tell. The current vice president at AOA, and former principal concept technical director for Walt Disney Imagineering gave the opening keynote speech at IPC APEX EXPO 2024. He delved into some of the technological marvels he’s been involved with throughout his career, particularly with Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the new Star Wars experience at Disneyland and Walt Disney World.

Real Time with… IPC APEX EXPO 2024: Dedication to Innovation and Reliability

Garrett Harding of MicroCraft outlines the company's history, product lines, and his personal journey. The discussion revolves around the adoption and benefits of inkjet printing, MicroCraft's ink solutions, and test equipment. Garrett also addresses the challenges in persuading OEMs and the current adoption rate, underscoring MicroCraft's dedication to innovation and reliability.

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

Spring is a renewal each year as dormant flora bloom, and baby ducklings and geese are ever present in local bodies of water. Even though it is beginning to get hot, I love this time of year in Arizona, with the sun waking me around 5 a.m. It fills me with an energy that I often lose in the dark winter months. Wherever you find yourself in the world, I hope you are enjoying Spring and that you are filled with energy and enthusiasm for all the great work part of our daily lives in this industry.
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