I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
March 24, 2023 | Nolan Johnson, I-Connect007Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
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.
The Big Picture: A New Globalization
Published March 20, 2023
I-Connect007 columnist, Mehul Davé takes a step back to consider nationalism, globalism and their teeter-totter relationship, the “paradox mindset” as a unifying worldview, the advent of AI, and the implications all these dynamics bring to the world in which we do business. No wonder this column got so much attention.
Darwin AI Evolving the Islands of Automation
Published March 20, 2023
Speaking of the effect of artificial intelligence applications on our industry, we recently had the opportunity to interview Darwin AI’s CEO and founder, Sheldon Fernandez. Darwin AI is focused on bringing AI to electronics assembly. Learn what he has to say here.
Foxconn Announces FY2022, 4Q22 Financial Results
Published March 20, 2023
As one of the largest electronics assembly companies on the planet, Foxconn’s 2022 revenues equal nearly $218 billion. How did the rest of the financial numbers turn out? Seems plenty of readers wanted to know.
NextFlex Launches $4.4M Funding Opportunity to Strengthen U.S. Electronics Manufacturing, Advance Adoption of Hybrid Electronics
Published March 22, 2023
From the press release, “NextFlex, America’s Flexible Hybrid Electronics (FHE) Manufacturing Institute, released Project Call 8.0 (PC 8.0), the latest call for proposals that seek to fund projects that further the development and adoption of FHE while addressing key challenges in advanced manufacturing that support Department of Defense priorities. The total PC 8.0 project value is expected to exceed $9.4M (project value/investment figures include cost-sharing), bringing the total anticipated investment in advancing FHE since NextFlex’s formation to $134M.” If this is a program you can take advantage of, read on here.
The Summit View of the Marketplace
Published March 21, 2023
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.
Suggested Items
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.
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.
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).
Boeing's Janene Stinson Earns IPC Excellence in Education Award at IPC APEX EXPO 2024
04/22/2024 | IPCThe IPC Excellence in Education award was presented to Janene Stinson, Boeing, at IPC APEX EXPO 2024 in Anaheim, California, in recognition of her significant contributions to workforce development and leadership.