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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.

Podcast Review: On the Line with… Designing for Reality

As a technologist, if I were forced to come up with just one recurring theme that I might call a professional “nemesis,” it would be the difference between theory and reality. A lot of technology we have at our disposal works well in theory but falls short when reality hits. That’s not the only reason I chose to listen to and review On the Line with… Designing for Reality, featuring a series of conversations with ASC Sunstone’s Matt Stevenson, but it certainly helped that the title caught my eye.

Real Time with… IPC APEX EXPO 2024: Industry Growth, Challenges, and Technological Advancements

Editor Nolan Johnson and Shawn DuBravac, IPC chief economist, dive into key industry topics such as growth, challenges, and technological advancements. They discuss shifts in the global competitive landscape, downstream demand, customization, and how AI is enhancing human skills. The industry outlook appears promising for both the short and long term.‌

Shane Whiteside of Summit Reflects on Today's PCB Landscape

Summit Interconnect began as a printed circuit board manufacturing company just eight years ago and has seen impressive growth organically and through acquisition. Summit President and CEO Shane Whiteside takes a few moments to share his thoughts on the growing PCB industry in the United States.

Doug Bodenstab: What's Exciting at the Del Mar Electronic and Manufacturing Show

The recent Del Mar Electronic & Manufacturing Show showcased the latest in technology in designing, manufacturing, and testing electronics. In this interview, show organizer Doug Bodenstab shares what makes this show successful and highlights the upcoming sister show that takes place in Anaheim later this year.

Real Time with… IPC APEX EXPO 2024: Transitioning Into Automation With DIS

Publisher Barry Matties and DIS Sales Director Jesse Ziomek discuss the company's shift toward automation, tackling issues such as limited floor space and integration costs while showcasing the advantages their SAM automation system has to offer. Also discussed are workforce challenges and return on investment considerations. As Jesse states, "DIS's goal is to offer solutions for smaller shops," and underscores the user-friendly, no-integration-costs aspect of their system.

Real Time with… IPC APEX EXPO 2024: Innovative Lamination Technology

Kevin Barrett of Insulectro and Victor Lazaro of Indubond discuss their companies' partnership, focusing on Indubond's innovative lamination technology that uses induction heating. They discuss the advantages of this technology over traditional methods, its benefits to customers, and the crucial role of automation in manufacturing.

Real Time with… IPC APEX EXPO 2024: Laser-Based Micro Machining Systems from MKS

Casey Krueger, director of product marketing for MKS, introduces their laser-based micro machining systems, particularly the CO2 drilling system for the HDI market. They discuss CO2-formed vias, the benefits of AOD technology, hypersonics, and enhanced optical transmission. The discussion also covers accuracy and the application of water-cooled galvos. Casey offers insights into the advancements and enhancements in their second-generation CO2 drilling system.

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

This week’s most important news is strategic—and telling. When one puts together the IPC industry reports, we simply have to include the recent conversation with Shawn DuBravac and Tom Kastner. On the design side, check out the latest “On The Line With…” podcast featuring Brad Griffin from Cadence Design Systems, discussing SI and PI in the realm of intelligent system design.

Real Time with… IPC APEX EXPO 2024: Direct Imaging Equipment and Quad-wave DLP Light Engine Technology

Guest Editor Kelly Dack and MivaTek's Brendan Hogan delve into the company's innovative technologies, including direct imaging equipment and quad-wave DLP light engine technology. They highlight the benefits of direct imaging, compensation, and DART technology.

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.
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