Fresh PCB Concepts: Key Considerations for Reliability, Performance, and Compliance in PCBs
Elementary Mr. Watson: Navigating RF—A Glide Path Approach to Design Success
Designers Notebook: Layer Stackup Planning for RF Circuit Boards
I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
April 11, 2025 | Marcy LaRont, I-Connect007Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
The word for this week (again) is tariffs. Another week has gone by, and the tariff mandates continue with neither the U.S. or China backing down on a course that could be disastrous for businesses and the economy in the short term. As we all wait and watch the geopolitical volley, our businesses forge ahead. As one industry leader recently said, “We’ve been through this before.” Well, maybe not exactly this, but the resilience of our industry and business leaders has been proven over and over, decade upon decade.
Along those lines, in this week’s must-read features, I highlight my IPC APEX EXPO interview with IPC Chief Economist Shawn DuBravac. Another must-read is Barry Matties’ interview with futurist Kevin Surace, whose insights seemed wholly appropriate as we all wish for a crystal ball for the weeks and months ahead. Columnist Bob Duke gives advice on how to avoid global sourcing pitfalls, and if you haven’t checked out NCAB’s podcast on thermal management with engineer Ryan Miller, I highly recommend it. NCAB’s Companion Guide to the podcast is also now available. Finally, I recommend our coverage of the latest IPC tariff webinar, which includes a snapshot of the tariff situation as it stands now. But it's not over, not by a long shot.
Real Time with... IPC APEX EXPO 2025: Navigating Economic Headwinds in the Electronics Industry
Published April 8
Though certainly much has happened in the weeks since IPC AEPX EXPO, IPC Chief Economist Shawn DuBravac’s thoughts and counsel remain sound. He states that both the economy and the industry have held up but acknowledges that the tremendous amount of uncertainty, particularly around tariffs and global trade, is creating headwinds and hesitation for businesses with no immediate end in sight for that dynamic. He balances that with the acknowledgment that pockets of technology markets are growing, and uses the example of data centers driven by AI. “The U.S. is still the best house on an ugly street,” he says.
A Look Into the Future with Futurist Kevin Surace
Published April 7
I always love the keynotes at IPC APEX EXPO, and this year was no exception. I was terribly curious as to what a “futurist” actually is. Kevin Surace did not disappoint. I was particularly struck by how positive and excited Kevin is about the future. From his humble beginnings with an A/V company at the age of 18 to electronics and even entrepreneurship in clean technology, his story is a good one. Additionally, he answers the uber-controversial question as to the essential role that AI will inevitably play in the PCB design arena, whether or not the reality is currently embraced. This interview is a must-read.
New Guide Offers In-Depth Look at Thermal Management in PCB Design
Published April 9
Thermal management and materials in PCB design is, quite literally, one of the hottest topics for designers and printed circuit board fabricators today, not to mention the OEMs. Check out NCAB’s companion guide to its popular podcast series. It’s a great guide to the podcast, and you can’t go wrong either way. (Personally, I recommend both.) “Created for engineers and PCB designers, this guide offers a comprehensive look at critical thermal management strategies essential for today's high-performance electronics.”
Global Sourcing Spotlight: Watch Out! Avoiding Pitfalls in Global Sourcing
Published April 9
Who isn’t concerned about global sourcing right now? In Bob Duke’s most recent column, he outlines seven pitfalls of global sourcing that you want to avoid. “This landscape is fraught with challenges that can jeopardize even the most well-planned sourcing initiatives,” he says. Planning for geopolitical instability and mitigating risk are just two of them, and certainly things that every business is currently addressing.
IPC Webinar Review: Tariff Tensions Influence Electronics Supply Chain
Published April 11
This week IPC hosted its second webinar (in what appears to be a series that will be announced in real time) on current tariff activity and developments in global trade policy. This second webinar focused on Europe specifically and the advocacy work that is being done there by IPC’s European team. At the time of the webinar, the U.S. presidential administration had put a 90-day hold on most tariff activity and Europe was coming to the table for negotiations. But what we know for sure is that this is a story that will continue to evolve in the days and weeks ahead. Stay tuned!
Share on:
Suggested Items
Navigating Global Manufacturing in an Era of Uncertainty
05/07/2025 | Philip Stoten, ScoopThe EMS industry faces unprecedented challenges as global trade tensions rise and tariff announcements create market uncertainty. In an overview of IPC Europe’s podcast, MADE IN EUROPE, industry experts from GPV and Zollner examine how these developments impact our businesses and customers, and what strategies will prevail in this new landscape.
Nick Koop Launches IPC Flex Design Class
05/06/2025 | Andy Shaughnessy, Design007 MagazineNick Koop is director of flex technology for TTM Technologies, and he’s been a staple of IPC’s flex committees for decades. He’s also a longtime flex design instructor, and he’s about to debut a new IPC class, Flex and Rigid-Flex Design for Manufacturability, which will run May 12–21. In this interview, Nick tells us about this new class and what attendees can expect to learn.
The Government Circuit: Trump’s Trade War Disrupts the Electronics Ecosystem
05/06/2025 | Chris Mitchell -- Column: The Government CircuitThere is certainly no shortage of work to be done in the IPC Government Relations department, as the U.S. waged a tariff campaign on practically every industrial country in the world and several countries embarked on high-tech initiatives with a mix of approaches to the crucial foundations of electronics manufacturing. Indeed, the breadth and speed of U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff campaign continues to be a serious challenge for our industry.
Meet Thiago Guimaraes, IPC's New Director of Industry Intelligence
05/05/2025 | Chris Mitchell, IPC VP, Global Government RelationsThe fast pace of innovation in the electronics manufacturing industry means business owners must continuously adapt their processes and capabilities to meet changing customer demands and market trends. To that end, IPC has hired Thiago Guimaraes as the new director of Industry Intelligence. In this interview, Thiago shares key goals and objectives that could revolutionize the industry as he helps stakeholders navigate industry trends and challenges.
Nolan's Notes: The Next Killer App in Component Manufacturing
05/02/2025 | Nolan Johnson -- Column: Nolan's NotesFor quite a while, I’ve been wondering what the next “killer app” will be in electronics manufacturing and why it has been so long since the last disruptive change in EMS. I believe the answer lies in artificial intelligence, which has exploded as the next disruptor.