I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
August 2, 2024 | Andy Shaughnessy, I-Connect007Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

This week, we bring you a veritable smorgasbord of news, columns and articles from the past week.
After getting stuck in an airport during the Crowdstrike outage, our colleague Nolan Johnson has a review of the first-ever THECA trade show in Bangkok, Thailand. We have a column by Matt Stevenson on drilling optimization, and an interview with Schmoll America President Kurt Palmer about what it takes to thrive in this industry. We have an article by SMTA’s Tara Dunn that focuses on the organization’s educational offerings, and news about All Flex joining the PCBAA.
It's been a busy week. I hope you all have a great weekend!
Impressions from THECA 2024
Published July 31
Our weary editor Nolan Johnson brings us his review of the inaugural Thailand Electronic Circuits Asia trade show. Nolan had the bad luck to be heading to the airport when the Crowdstrike snafu first began, turning his already-long trip to Bangkok into a three-day ordeal. He says it was all worth it, and THECA drew a pretty good crowd of attendees, many looking to Thailand for its China+1 potential. Check it out.
Connect the Dots: Navigating the Intricacies of PCB Drilling
Published August 1
Drilling is a fairly simple operation, but it can be one of the most complex tasks in the PCB fabrication cycle. In this column, Matt Stevenson offers various tips and tricks that can streamline your PCB drilling, beginning with pre-drilling planning and preparations.
Schmoll America: Thriving in the Global PCB Market
Published July 31
Is your business thriving? What does it take to thrive in this industry? In this interview with Marcy LaRont, Kurt Palmer, president of Schmoll America, discusses what it takes to not only survive, but thrive.
Training and Education in the Electronics Industry
Published July 31
With many of the “silverbacks” in our industry heading toward retirement, educational resources are in high demand now. Tara Dunn, director of training and education for SMTA, walks us through the organization’s educational offerings, including webinars, in-person classes, technical papers, and much more.
The PCBAA Accepts All Flex Solutions as Newest Member
Published July 31
PCBAA was founded just a few years ago, but it’s been on a continuous growth path, with more companies joining the organization in its mission to advocate for U.S. PCB companies. Flexible circuit maker All Flex Solutions is the latest company to join the organization, which now numbers 61 PCB U.S. manufacturers.
Suggested Items
EIPC Summer Conference 2025: Call for Distinguished Speakers in Edinburgh
03/26/2025 | EIPCThe European Institute of Printed Circuits (EIPC) is pleased to announce its Summer Conference 2025, scheduled for June 3-4 in the historic city of Edinburgh, Scotland.
Real Time with... IPC APEX EXPO 2025: Kyzen—Enhancing PCB Cleaning Processes
03/26/2025 | Real Time with...IPC APEX EXPOJayson Moy of KYZEN discusses recent changes the company has made that are aimed at adding value to the industry. He highlights the significance of a reliable cleaning process for PCBs, which can prevent issues and boost efficiency.
Real Time with... IPC APEX EXPO 2025: Blackfox—The Future of the Electronics Manufacturing Industry Depends on Training
03/26/2025 | Real Time with...IPC APEX EXPOBlackfox's Levi Gibbon is a newcomer to IPC APEX EXPO, but he has been in electronics manufacturing since 1999. In this interview, he focuses on quality assurance and teaching. He discusses the challenges posed by an aging workforce and the urgent need for new talent as experienced trainers retire.
Real Time with... IPC APEX EXPO 2025: Mycronic's Evolution Drives Record-breaking Year
03/26/2025 | Real Time with...IPC APEX EXPOKevin Clue reports that Mycronic is experiencing record revenue and positive stock performance. The company transitions from a pick-and-place supplier to a full-line solution provider, facing challenges with diverse components and complex bills of materials. Manufacturing efficiency and skilled manpower are emphasized.
The Marketing Minute: Go Big or Go Home—Long-form Content Is Your Brand’s Best Friend
03/26/2025 | Brittany Martin -- Column: The Marketing MinuteIn a world of 280-character posts and blink-or-you’ll-miss-it social media content, long-form content might seem outdated. But if you want to build a brand people trust—not just recognize—you need depth. The key is producing longer content—articles, white papers, and books.