I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
September 15, 2023 | Andy Shaughnessy, Design007 MagazineEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
It’s been a hot week in Atlanta. The Braves just clinched the division title with the best record in the league, 95-50, and Matt Olson tied the Braves’ franchise record with 51 home runs in one season (more than Hank Aaron ever hit in one year, if you’re a baseball history buff).
We’ve had a hot week in this industry too. In my picks for this week, we introduce a new SMT007 columnist, and we have a look at the CHIPS Act one year later. We have a great article about sourcing diversification, and a look at the latest electronics news coming out of India. And columnist Vern Solberg explains DFM best practices for flexible circuits.
Have a great weekend!
Meet Aidan Salvi of Amitron, SMT007 Columnist
Published September 14
This week, we welcomed Aidan Salvi to the I-Connect007 columnist roster. Aidan is the chief transformation officer for Amitron, and he’ll be covering the move from robots to cobots in PCB manufacturing. Check out his columns in the SMT007 and Mil-Aero newsletters.
Sourcing Diversification – Empowering Your Supply Chain for Success
Published September 13
The supply chain situation has stabilized now, but smart companies are being proactive and shoring up their sourcing processes, just in case. Léa Maurel of ICAPE has a great article about sourcing diversification and the need to foster relationships with multiple vendors from around the globe.
CHIPS Act, One Year On
Published September 12
It’s been one year since the CHIPS Act was introduced with a lot of hoopla and promises to fund the U.S. electronics industry. But where are we now? Has anything really changed? In this conversation, PCBAA Chair Travis Kelly lays it all out. He also discusses the Protecting Circuit Boards and Substrates Act that was recently reintroduced in Congress.
Designer’s Notebook: DFM Principles for Flexible Circuits
Published September 14
DFM practices can be challenging in the best of times, and things only get crazier when we move into flexible circuits. In this column, Vern Solberg discusses flex DFM techniques that designers need to keep in mind when working in the 3D flex environment.
Material Insight: India’s Rise in the Global Electronics Ecosystem
Published September 12
In this column, Preeya Kuray focuses on India’s continued expansion in the global electronics market. She discusses some of the electronics news from the Land of Many Wonders, including Micron’s plans to build a $2.75 billion advanced packaging factory in India. There’s a lot going on in India right now.
Suggested Items
Warm Windows and Streamlined Skin Patches – IDTechEx Explores Flexible and Printed Electronics
04/26/2024 | IDTechExFlexible and printed electronics can be integrated into cars and homes to create modern aesthetics that are beneficial and easy to use. From luminous car controls to food labels that communicate the quality of food, the uses of this technology are endless and can upgrade many areas of everyday life.
Book Excerpt: The Printed Circuit Assembler’s Guide to... Factory Analytics
04/24/2024 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamIn our fast-changing, deeply competitive, and margin-tight industry, factory analytics can be the key to unlocking untapped improvements to guarantee a thriving business. On top of that, electronics manufacturers are facing a tremendous burden to do more with less. If you don't already have a copy of this book, what follows is an excerpt from the introduction chapter of 'The Printed Circuit Assembler’s Guide to... Factory Analytics: Unlocking Efficiency Through Data Insights' to whet your appetite.
Listen Up! The Intricacies of PCB Drilling Detailed in New Podcast Episode
04/25/2024 | I-Connect007In episode 5 of the podcast series, On the Line With: Designing for Reality, Nolan Johnson and Matt Stevenson continue down the manufacturing process, this time focusing on the post-lamination drilling process for PCBs. Matt and Nolan delve into the intricacies of the PCB drilling process, highlighting the importance of hole quality, drill parameters, and design optimization to ensure smooth manufacturing. The conversation covers topics such as drill bit sizes, aspect ratios, vias, challenges in drilling, and ways to enhance efficiency in the drilling department.
Elevating PCB Design Engineering With IPC Programs
04/24/2024 | Cory Blaylock, IPCIn a monumental stride for the electronics manufacturing industry, IPC has successfully championed the recognition of the PCB Design Engineer as an official occupation by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). This pivotal achievement not only underscores the critical role of PCB design engineers within the technology landscape, but also marks the beginning of a transformative journey toward nurturing a robust, skilled workforce ready to propel our industry into the future.
Winner of The Science Show Rakett 69 Receives Incap Scholarship
04/24/2024 | IncapThe winner of the Rakett 69 science show, Andri Türkson, who stood out as an electronics enthusiast, received a scholarship from Incap Estonia, along with an internship opportunity in Saaremaa.