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Beyond the Rulebook
What happens when the rule book is no longer useful, or worse, was never written in the first place? In today’s fast-moving electronics landscape, we’re increasingly asked to design and build what has no precedent, no proven path, and no tidy checklist to follow. This is where “Design for Invention” begins.
March Madness
From the growing role of AI in design tools to the challenge of managing cumulative tolerances, these articles in this issue examine the technical details, design choices, and manufacturing considerations that determine whether a board works as intended.
Looking Forward to APEX EXPO 2026
I-Connect007 Magazine previews APEX EXPO 2026, covering everything from the show floor to the technical conference. For PCB designers, we move past the dreaded auto-router and spotlight AI design tools that actually matter.
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Real Time with... IPC APEX EXPO 2022: Smart Factories Demand Total Inspection
February 8, 2022 | Real Time with...IPC APEX EXPOEstimated reading time: Less than a minute
Joel Scutchfield of Koh Young America and SMT007 Editor Nolon Johnson discuss the smart factory's need for a total inspection solution that includes SPI, AOI, DPI, API, and KSMART, along with multi-point inspection (SPI, pre, and post) to improve yields. As Scutchfield points out, "Connectivity alone does not equal a smart factory. It's what you do with the data."
If you were unable to attend IPC APEX EXPO, don't worry. We're bringing you coverage of the week's events in San Diego, from ribbon cutting to teardown.
Watch this interview below or click here to view on our show page.
Check out this additional content from Koh Young:
- The Printed Circuit Assembler’s Guide to… SMT Inspection: Today, Tomorrow, and Beyond by Brent Fischthal (a free eBook available for download)
- “Converting Process Data Into Intelligence” by Joel Scutchfield and Ivan Aduna, a free 12-part micro webinar series
- You can also view other titles in our full I-007e Book library here
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Simon Khesin - Schmoll MaschinenSuggested Items
Fresh PCB Concepts: Designing PCBs for Harsh Environments—Reliability Is Engineered Upstream
04/23/2026 | Team NCAB -- Column: Fresh PCB ConceptsWhen engineers hear the phrase “harsh environment,” they usually think of the extreme temperature swings, vibration and shock, pressure changes, or radiation in aerospace. However, aerospace is not the only harsh environment where electronic assemblies must survive. Automotive power electronics, downhole oil and gas tools, marine controls, rail systems, defense platforms, and industrial automation equipment all expose PCBs to environments that are equally unforgiving. The stress mechanisms may differ, but the physics does not.
The Right Approach: The End of an Era—DoD Proposes MIL-PRF-31032 Cancellation
04/21/2026 | Steve Williams -- Column: The Right ApproachThe Defense Logistics Agency has initiated formal proceedings to cancel the military's primary performance specification for printed circuit boards, a move that could reshape how the U.S. defense industrial base qualifies and sources one of its most critical electronic components. On March 4, 2026, DLA Weapons Support issued a memorandum to military and industry coordination activities announcing that MIL-PRF-31032, along with its six associated specification sheets, has been proposed for cancellation. A 30-day comment period was allotted, with concurrence or comments due by April 3, 2026.
IPC CFX Demo Line Debuts in Korea at EMK 2026
04/10/2026 | Global Electronics AssociationAt Electronics Manufacturing Korea (EMK) x NEPCON Korea 2026, the Global Electronics Association, in collaboration with 13 companies, showcased the IPC CFX Demo Line (Connected Factory Exchange demonstration line), marking its debut in Korea.
IPC-7712 Development Advances at APEX EXPO: Committee Aligns on Scope, Structure, and Industry Priorities
04/10/2026 | Circuit Technology Center, Inc.Significant progress was made in developing the proposed standard IPC-7712, Component Safe Removal for Failure Analysis and Reclamation, during in-person meetings held at APEX EXPO, March 16 to 18.
2026 IPC Masters Competition China Wraps Up With Record Participation
04/07/2026 | Blair Yan, Global Electronics Association East AsiaThe three-day 2026 IPC Masters Competition concluded March 27 at productronica China in Shanghai, bringing together the largest and most highly skilled group of electronics assembly professionals in the event’s 16-year history. With 623 participants from 77 companies across China—up 30% from last year—the competition reflected a growing focus on the practical application of electronics manufacturing standards.