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I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
December 10, 2021 | Nolan Johnson, I-Connect007Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
Right now, it seems that almost everyone I know is talking about the future. Doesn’t matter whether it’s with my family, loved ones, friends, industry colleagues, or neighbors I meet on the street, conversations are almost entirely forward-looking. This being the holiday season, some reminiscing is to be expected, but I’m just not hearing it in the chatter all around me–this year is different somehow. And it shows in this edition of my must-reads for the week as well.
This week we bring you forward-looking discussions with Dr. John Mitchell, IPC president and CEO, on IPC APEX EXPO and what to expect in the future; and an interview with Isola’s CEO, Travis Kelly, introducing a new industry consortium, the Printed Circuit Board Association of America. Innovative additive technologies gain the spotlight as well, with Nano Dimension and a combination of Averatek and American Standard Circuits leading this week’s news cycle. Wrapping up the theme is Siemens’ position as a visionary in the Industrial IoT Magic Quadrant, as compiled by Gartner.
The Mission of the New Printed Circuit Board Association of America
Published December 9
Barry Matties recently met with Travis Kelly to discuss the formation of the Printed Circuit Board Association of America (PCBAA), a consortium of U.S.-based companies he chairs to support U.S. domestic production of PCBs. PCBAA was established on three pillars, and Travis explains how they intertwine with each other—and with other similar organizations in the industry. This is an important read no matter what sector of the industry you fall in.
John Mitchell: Focus on the Future
Published December 6
In a far-ranging interview, first published in I-Connect007’s December issue of SMT007 Magazine, Dr. John Mitchell and Barry Matties discuss the upcoming IPC APEX EXPO, IPC programs, and the challenges–and opportunities–facing our industry. If you think Dr. Mitchell's assessment would be pessimistic, you'd be wrong.
Nano Dimension Sells Two DragonFly IV 3D-AME Systems to Defense and Government Agencies
Published December 6
Nano Dimension announced that it has sold the first two DragonFly IV 3D-AME printers, in addition to the two machines that have completed beta sites processes with other leading customers. DragonFly IV is an additive manufacturing system for fabrication of electronic devices which deposits materials while concurrently integrating capacitors, antennas, coils, transformers, and electro-mechanical components.
Siemens Positioned in Visionaries Quadrant of Gartner Magic Quadrant for Industrial IoT Platforms
Published December 7
Siemens Digital Industries Software announced it has been positioned by Gartner in the Visionaries Quadrant of the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Industrial IoT platforms. Siemens is positioned as the sole vendor in the “Visionaries” Quadrant in the report on its first participation in the research. Gartner describes Visionaries in a market as the innovators that drive the market forward by responding to emerging, leading-edge customer demands and by offering new opportunities to excel.
American Standard Circuits Utilizes Averatek Process for Medical Technology
Published December 6
CEO Anaya Vardya discusses the addition of the Averatek A-SAP™ to ASC’s offerings. In the news item, Vardya explains, “Our medical electronics customers depend on us to provide them with the most reliable PCBs possible. When dealing with medical products it is not hyperbole to say that it is always a matter of life or death. With the A-SAP manufacturing process ASC can now provide our customers with ultra high-density technology, 25 micron trace and space, and improved reliability, reducing layer counts and micro via lamination cycles, ultimately simplifying the design.”
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Standardization, Workforce, and the Road Ahead for Flex–Packaging Integration, Part 3
04/22/2026 | Anaya Vardya, American Standard CircuitsParts 1 and 2 of this series established the technical foundation and application landscape for the convergence of flexible PCBs and advanced semiconductor packaging. Part 3 addresses what comes next: the standards frameworks, talent pipelines, and strategic imperatives that will determine whether the industry can scale this convergence reliably and competitively.
New Guidance Targets Scope 3.1 Emissions Gap in Electronics Supply Chains
04/22/2026 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamA new industry guidance document aimed at improving how electronics companies account for Scope 3 Category 1 (Scope 3.1) emissions marks a significant step toward more consistent and effective supply chain decarbonization. A recent webinar hosted by the Global Electronics Association and the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) addressed a persistent challenge: Despite the material impact of Scope 3.1 emissions, fewer than half of electronics companies currently report them.
Mexico’s Wire Harness Pivot Point
04/22/2026 | Nolan Johnson, SMT007 MagazineMexico is a major producer of wire harnesses, but recent U.S. economic policies and Mexico’s domestic issues have had a ripple effect on the industry. Jesus Duarte, vice president of Mexico Assembly Wire Technology and president of Expo Wire Tech, explains the issue in greater depth and how the wire harness industry should respond on its own, rather than just reflect what Tier 1s are doing.
EDIP Opens the Door: EU Funding Now Available for Defence Electronics Including PCBs and Substrates
04/21/2026 | Alison James and Chris Mitchell, Global Electronics AssociationThe European Commission has published a call for proposals under the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP), and for European electronics manufacturers the message is clear: this is real money for real capacity, and PCBs and IC substrates are explicitly in scope. EDIP's Industrial Reinforcement Actions (IRA) dedicate €122.25 million to key electronic components, covering guidance electronics, propulsion electronics, RF and laser modules, multispectral cameras, avionics, PCBs and IC substrates, lithium-ion polymer batteries, power electronics, and critical semiconductor building blocks
Women in Technology: Learning to Just Be Myself
04/21/2026 | Michelle Te, I-Connect007Approximately 100 women and a handful of men gathered for a Women in Electronics evening event at APEX EXPO. As I wandered among the tables before it started, I stopped to chat with several women all wearing purple and white polo shirts emblazoned with the TTM logo. It turns out they are part of TTM’s Women in Technology Group, so I sat down and invited them to share their thoughts on coming to the event and what it means to be part of the electronics industry.