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I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
June 7, 2024 | Andy Shaughnessy, Design007 MagazineEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
It’s been a great week. I spent part of the week at PCB East, which was held at the Boxboro Regency in Boxboro, Massachusetts. I haven’t been to Boxboro in about 20 years. The last time I was at PCB East in Boxboro, design instructor Mary Sugden had a hot plate and a supply of bologna in her room, because she preferred fried bologna to anything she could get in a restaurant. Never a dull moment with PCB designers!
PCB East has been growing since it re-opened a few years ago. The conference was well attended, and Wednesday’s expo was busy all day long. These one-day tabletop shows are the way to go, as we’ve seen lately with the success of SMTA’s local shows. I’ll have a post-show write-up next week.
But I’m glad to be home. Here’s a roundup of this week’s top news as you head into the weekend.
Happy’s Tech Talk #29: Bend-to-Install Semi-flex FR-4
Published December 8
Technology Editor Happy Holden has been following the growing development of “bend-to-install” or “semi-flex” materials. In this update, Happy breaks down the details of this process, which, unlike flexible circuits, utilizes standard FR-4 materials and processes. We’re seeing a lot of “hybrid” processes like this now, and we’ll continue to follow this technology.
My Experience as an International Student
Published June 5
It must be really stressful being an international student; I had a hard enough time graduating from college in the country where I was born. But Palash Vyas is a little more of a go-getter than I was, to say the least. In this article, the recent doctoral graduate outlines his path from Mumbai to Auburn University, his volunteer efforts with IPC and SMTA, and winner of Best Poster Award at this year’s IPC APEX EXPO.
The Pulse: Overconstraining: Short, Slim, and Smooth
Published June 6
As columnist Martyn Gaudion says, small is beautiful in high-speed design and high reliability. To avoid overconstraining your high-speed board, Martyn explains why keeping things “short, slim, and smooth” are watchwords and why designers must take cost and DFM into account with each design.
Has It Really Been Survival Mode?
Published June 6
This is a topic that we’ve been hearing about for years: Companies in the EMS industry that are doing well have done so by being in “survival mode” for years. But is that really the case? Mark Wolfe examines this issue, starting with the four questions that each EMS manager answers before accepting every job.
Advancing PCB Technology: A Conversation With John Johnson
Published June 4
In this audio interview, John Johnson of American Standard Circuit discusses the industry’s continued movement toward finer lines and spaces and additive processes, as well as the need for a “mindset shift” and training in order to meet the needs of this new technology. He also discusses the need to focus on cleanliness and material adhesion with ultra-fine lines.
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I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
09/12/2025 | Marcy LaRont, I-Connect007We may be post-Labor Day, but it is still hot-hot-hot here in the great state of Arizona—much like our news cycles, which have continued to snap, crackle, and pop with eye-raising headlines over this past week. In broader global tech news this week, AI and tariff-type restrictions continues to dominate with NVIDIA raising its voice against U.S. lawmakers pushing chip restrictions, ASML investing in a Dutch AI start-up company to the tune of $1.5 billion, and the UAE joining the ranks of the U.S. and China in embracing “open source” with their technology in hopes of accelerating their AI position.
Machvision Leads Shift to Automated Inline Final Inspection, AOI in North America
09/10/2025 | Ralph Jacobo, all4-PCBSchweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) chose Machvision inspection equipment due to its capabilities and versatility. Machvision of Taiwan offers circuit inspection, hole inspection and measurement, IC Substrate and HDI inspection, and final visual inspection solutions. The best fit for SEL was the 4.0Pro Circuit Inspection for inner and outer layers, and the AFI6 for final visual inspection of finished panels.
Dan Feinberg on Walt Custer: Remembering an Extraordinary Business Associate and Friend
09/09/2025 | Dan Feinberg, Technology Editor, I-Connect007The passing of Walt Custer marks the end of an era for all those who knew him and were helped and impressed by his presence, both personally and professionally. Walt's life was characterized by his unwavering commitment to the industry, his profound wisdom and willingness to share it, and his infectious enthusiasm for everything he did.
Building Electronics Excellence in India
09/08/2025 | Nolan Johnson, SMT007 MagazineFor over two decades, Dave Bergman has helped steer the Global Electronics Association’s work in India, from a single training course to a thriving regional operation with deep government and industry ties. In this interview, Dave explains how the group went from partnering with IPCA to opening its own office in 2010, creating India’s first domestic electronics manufacturing standard, and securing funding for dozens of Indian companies to attend U.S. trade shows.
Walt Custer: Making Data Interesting
09/03/2025 | Andy Shaughnessy, I-Connect007I just learned that IPC Hall of Famer Walt Custer has passed away at 81. I first met Walt about 20 years ago when I started covering the fabrication industry. Right away, he started telling me which companies to watch and which trends to follow. This was in the years following 9/11, and things were still pretty fluid.