I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
November 4, 2022 | Andy Shaughnessy, Design007 MagazineEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
We’re officially in show season and Managing Editor Nolan Johnson just got back from SMTA International. As he says in his review, the show drew a sizeable crowd this year. With the pandemic in the rear-view window, let’s hope our trade shows are getting back to normal.
This week, we have articles about everything from the first flexible circuit patent to the CHIPS Act, a growing PCB broker, and a look at whether manufacturers believe that we’re in a recession or not (Hint: We are officially in a recession.).
Check back for more show coverage.
Flexible Thinking: The Chameleon of Interconnection Technologies
Published November 3
In this column, Joe Fjelstad discusses the earliest flexible circuit patent, which dates to 1903. The patent for “Improvements in, or Connected with, Electric Cables and the Joining of Same” was originally designed for the new telephone industry, but as Joe explains, flex is quite a chameleon.
American Made Advocacy: The CHIPS Act is Just the Beginning
Published November 3
As Travis Kelly explains in this column, the CHIPS and Science Act is really just the first step of a long marathon. The U.S. now only manufactures 4% of the PCBs in the world, down from 30% a few decades ago, and that number will continue to head further south unless we take some definite action, and now.
SMTAI: Like a Tesla in a Drag Race
Published November 3
Nolan Johnson spent the last few days at SMTA International, back for its second year in Minneapolis. Now that the pandemic is over, SMTAI is back, and as Nolan, reports, even the weather cooperated. If you couldn’t make it to the show, check out our video coverage of SMTAI on our Real Time with… SMTAI site.
IPC: One-Fourth of Electronics Manufacturers Believe We are in a Recession
Published November 1
It doesn’t feel like a recession. But it’s not exactly a state secret that we are in a recession, which is officially defined as two back-to-back quarters of negative GDP. We’ve had that, but as one company owner told me recently, “If this is a recession, I’ll take it.”
Millennium Circuits on The Move
Published October 31
I recently met with Daniel Thau, CEO and founder of PCB broker Millennium Circuits. In this interview, Daniel gives us the background on this company that founded at the tender age of 21, and the company’s focus on providing complex PCBs very quickly.
Suggested Items
Stan Rak: Elevating the Ideas and Insights of IPC's Thought Leaders Program
04/25/2024 | Stanton Rak, SF Rak CompanyAs a member of the IPC Thought Leaders Program (TLP), I am responsible for identifying knowledge-sharing opportunities that can generate ideas and insights that strengthen the IPC community as well as create a sustainable and lasting future for its members. I am delighted to highlight some of my recent contributions as a member of the TLP.
Alternative Manufacturing Inc. Awarded QML Requalification to IPC J-STD-001 and IPC-A-610
04/24/2024 | IPCIPC's Validation Services Program has awarded an IPC J-STD-001 and IPC-A-610 Qualified Manufacturers Listing (QML) requalification to Alternative Manufacturing Inc (AMI).
IPC Design Competition Champion Crowned at IPC APEX EXPO 2024
04/24/2024 | IPCAt IPC APEX EXPO 2024 in Anaheim, California, five competitors squared off to determine who was the best of the best at PCB design.
Big Win for Defense Production Act Budget Allocation in FY24 Budget
04/23/2024 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamOne 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
04/23/2024 | Real Time with...IPC APEX EXPOBarry 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.