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

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The USMCA trade agreement was just the tip of the iceberg in news affecting our industry this week. As H. Ross Perot predicted when I was a few years out of college, the U.S. lived to regret signing the North American Free Trade Agreement, and the new USMCA is designed to right NAFTA’s wrongs.

We also saw more young people getting involved in the industry, an HDP User Group webinar on automotive thermal issues, and more questions for our own Happy Holden—this time, on stacked microvia reliability, or the lack thereof.

With all of the craziness around—some states opening up and others clamping down again due to rising COVID-19 numbers—the innovation in PCB design and manufacturing continues. Next week, check the Friday edition of our Daily Newsletter for Nolan Johnson’s picks.

IPC: Shawn DuBravac and Chris Mitchell on USMCA
Published July 2

On July 1, the USMCA trade act was phased in, and that same day, Nolan Johnson interviewed two IPC experts in that field: Chief Economist Shawn DuBravac and VP of Global Government Affairs Chris Mitchell. This is a can’t-miss interview for everyone involved in the electronics industry.

Foundations of the Future: Student Representative on the IPC Board of Directors
Published June 30

For years, IPC has been spearheading the drive to attract more young people into electronics manufacturing. As Charlene Gunter du Plessis explains, IPC has elected Paige Fiet, president of an IPC Student Chapter at Michigan Technological University, as its first Board of Directors Student Member Liaison. We have to reach more young people, and the best way to reach them is with other young people who are already involved in the industry. Smart move by IPC.

Materials for Automotive Applications: Thermal Management Issues
Published July 2

It’s summertime, and it’s getting hot! Technical Editor Pete Starkey attended the recent HDP User Group Automotive Technology Webinar, and he was particularly impressed with a presentation on thermal management given by Ventec International Group’s Alun Morgan. As Pete comments, thermal challenges are becoming part of even mainstream automotive applications, and insulated metal substrates provide cost-effective options.

June Issue of SMT007: A Snapshot of a Resilient Industry 
Published June 30

We recently asked Tamara Jovanovic, a young hardware engineer with smart baby-bed maker Happiest Baby, to review the June issue of SMT007 Magazine. Tamara discusses the articles on leadership in these COVID-19 times and weaves in personal stories, such as roommates who dubbed her a “ghostbuster” when she brought her oscilloscope home to work remotely. Don’t miss this.

Just Ask Happy: Stacked Microvia Reliability Issues
Published July 1

Our “Just Ask Happy” series is the gift that keeps on giving. Happy Holden enjoys answering your questions, and, as befits someone known as “Mr. HDI,” he gets plenty of questions on microvias. In this article, Happy addresses the ongoing reliability challenges related to stacking vias and a few workarounds to use until this problem is solved. If you have a question for Happy, click here.

03/16/2023 | Pete Starkey, I-Connect007

Widely believed to be the traditional Centre of England, Meriden was a popular venue for a gathering of the UK printed circuit community this month. They braved the forecast of heavy snow for the Institute of Circuit Technology’s annual general meeting to learn about current developments and challenges in a thought-provoking technical seminar and to network with industry peers and contemporaries. Thankfully, the forecasted heavy snowfall did not reach Meriden until after the event; we only had a few flurries, although the weather caused considerable disruption elsewhere in the country.

12/16/2022 | Pete Starkey, I-Connect007

Pete Starkey stops by the Aismalibar booth at electronica to hear from Uwe Lemke about the company’s plans to further expand its footprint in the Chinese PCB market and how evolving e-mobility constraints have propelled a growing demand for materials that can address electrical isolation and thermal conductivity concerns in high voltage battery systems. As always, Aismalibar is up to the task, having developed a new thin fluid coating technology that boosts the performance and reliability of any interface using the same foil-based technology that has long defined its impressive line of product offerings.

07/08/2022 | Nolan Johnson, I-Connect007

In more than one conversation while discussing the industry this week, the themes have included industry turmoil, lots of business opportunities, and the urgent need to build out to meet changing demands. In fact, our July issue of PCB007 Magazine, which publishes later this month, will focus on these very topics. It’s definitely one not to be missed! These themes also emerged in this week’s top five news items as well. Top stories include an acquisition in the soldering machinery space, sales and service expansion in Mexico, industry data from SIA on semiconductor global sales data, and strong financial numbers from two China-based manufacturers. Now, with the U.S. Congress putting its focus on the PCB industry, things could really heat up. It’s going to be an interesting year.