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

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Say what you will about 2020, but it certainly isn’t boring. There’s a lot going on in the PCB world, and there’s something for everyone in this week’s top five picks. And it’s all positive, despite the lingering presence of COVID-19 and its aftereffects. In this wrap-up, we present some solid market news, Happy Holden's thoughts on high-volume microvia reliability, and a look at what our survey respondents look for in a leader.

We also bring you tips for holding the most productive and efficient meetings, and news about a company that has made purchasing capital equipment as simple—and touch-free—as an Amazon transaction. Has every company in our industry improved its processes as a result of this pandemic? I wouldn’t be surprised.

Next week, check the Friday edition of our Daily Newsletter for Managing Editor Nolan Johnson’s picks.

We Asked, and You Answered: What Makes a Strong Leader?
Published July 28

The I-Connect007 Research Team surveys our readers fairly regularly to help us ensure that we’re focusing on the challenges that you all are facing each day. Our recent survey on leadership provided a gold mine of comments about what makes a great leader. For instance, several readers said a great leader must be a great listener as well. As one respondent said, “You’re never the smartest person in the room, even if you’re the CEO.” Editor Michelle Te breaks it all down.

Manncorp Boosts Ability to Buy Online
Published July 29

With everyone working from home now, we’re seeing more and more companies upping their online game. Assembly equipment maker Manncorp now offers the ability to purchase new machines online, with technicians walking customers through customized equipment recommendations. The company also provides remote-location troubleshooting to help customers with setting up pick-and-place machines, for example. We expect to see this trend continue.

North American PCB Industry Sales up 0.8% in June
Published July 30

Despite all of the craziness going on in the world, there are plenty of encouraging signs for our industry. For instance, PCB sales were up in June, and bookings were up almost 17% from the same period last year. The demand for PCBs seems to be outpacing the supply, and that’s a good place to be.

It’s Only Common Sense: The Art of the Meeting
Published July 27

With everyone meeting via videoconferences now, this column by Dan Beaulieu is especially timely. At I-Connect007, we practice much of what Dan is preaching here, including having time allotments for each agenda item, which really helps keep meetings on track. You need to have meetings, so make them count.

Just Ask Happy: Monitoring Via Reliability on a Lot-by-Lot Basis
Published July 29

Our "Just Ask Happy" series has covered a lot of ground, from HDI design tips through final assembly and everything in between. This week, a reader asked Happy for his advice on monitoring microvia reliability for high-volume production, and Happy explained his process in great detail. As befits someone nicknamed "Mr. HDI," Happy has fielded dozens of questions about microvias and via reliability over the past few months. If you have a question for Happy, take the survey by clicking here.

03/24/2023 | Nolan Johnson, I-Connect007

It’s almost as if upheaval is the new normal. We often describe slow-moving but unstoppable change as moving in “geologic time.” But occasionally–like an earthquake–geology shifts suddenly. Here in my office, tracking the news of the industry, things are moving faster than geologic time, but more slowly than the jolt of an earthquake. The wave seems almost surfable, where before it seemed overwhelming. In this week’s list, we bring news from five different, high-vibration areas in our industry. If you read nothing else this week, these five items will keep you informed.

03/21/2023 | Christopher Bonsell, Chemcut

This year, I had the great opportunity to come to IPC APEX EXPO in San Diego as a contributing member in Chemcut’s booth. Being an exhibitor is always interesting because you never know what you will learn or who you will meet. Truly, it seems that every IPC APEX EXPO is an eye-opening experience. This was the second show I attended, and last year I was amazed to see how in-depth and interconnected the electronics industry is. Seeing how many different companies contribute to manufacturing today’s core technology never fails to impress me.

03/21/2023 | Nolan Johnson, I-Connect007

Investments, staffing, cybersecurity, and a peek into his crystal ball—John Vaughan, vice president of strategic markets at Summit Interconnect, sits down with Nolan Johnson to talk about it all. Business is good, by the way, thanks to Summit’s portfolio of military contracts, and he has sound advice to offer for smaller shops in the United States, and their real ability to make a difference in PCB fabrication.