Fresh PCB Concepts: Designing PCBs for Harsh Environments—Reliability Is Engineered Upstream
Elementary, Mr. Watson DFX—Basically a Basket of Crabs With Spreadsheets
Target Condition: When Design Outpaces Manufacturing
April Issue of I-Connect007 Magazine: Beyond the Rulebook
April 14, 2026 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamEstimated reading time: Less than a minute
What happens when the old rulebook no longer applies—and all that’s left is new ground to break? Today’s designers and fabricators are being asked to build what has no precedent, no proven path, and no tidy checklist. This is where design for invention begins.
In this month’s I-Connect007 Magazine, we asked PCB designers, fabricators, and suppliers what it really means to operate without a rulebook. Their perspectives vary, especially between seasoned designers and experienced fabricators, but a common thread emerges: progress depends on pushing boundaries and finding a way forward, even when the path isn’t clear. In many ways, this mindset has always been part of what we do, whether we’ve called it that or not.
Hear from experts including John Watson, Kelly Dack, Stephen V. Chavez, Kristin Moyer, Anaya Vardya, Ventec, Mike Carano, Vern Solberg, Matt Stevenson, and more. They’re tackling the challenges head on and making bold assumptions about the future of design and manufacturing.
Share on:
Testimonial
"Advertising in PCB007 Magazine has been a great way to showcase our bare board testers to the right audience. The I-Connect007 team makes the process smooth and professional. We’re proud to be featured in such a trusted publication."
Klaus Koziol - atgSuggested Items
An Interview With Keynote Speaker Zack Kass on the 'AI Renaissance'
04/23/2026 | Marcy LaRont, I-Connect007Zack Kass is an AI evangelist, technologist, businessman, and the author of The Next Renaissance: AI and the Expansion of Human Potential. He was a key player in bringing open AI to market and the keynote speaker at APEX EXPO 2026. Immediately following his presentation, I brought Zack to our booth, where we had a most eye-opening conversation about both the positive and negative impacts of artificial intelligence, and going beyond what’s “impossible.”
Single Pair Ethernet (SPE): A Valuable Option for Modern Designs
04/20/2026 | Marcy LaRont, I-Connect007When it comes to designing PCBs and full systems for increasingly complex electronics hardware, who doesn’t want to reduce complexity and cost? Single-Pair Ethernet (SPE) has emerged as a solution and is gaining rapid attention across industrial electronics and PCB design because it enables Ethernet communication over a single twisted pair, replacing the traditional two- or four-pair cabling used in standard Ethernet networks. This seemingly simple shift has significant implications for designers: smaller connectors, reduced cable weight, longer reach, and the ability to carry both data and power over a single pair.
It’s Only Common Sense: Customers Capabilities—and Confidence
04/20/2026 | Dan Beaulieu -- Column: It's Only Common SenseI’ve been around, man! I’ve been in enough conference rooms, factory floors, and late-night airport lounges to know one thing for certain: Most companies think they lose business because they lack capability. They don’t. They lose business because they fail to inspire confidence.
Standard of Excellence: Engineering Is the New Sales—How Technical Collaboration Wins Business
04/15/2026 | Anaya Vardya -- Column: Standard of ExcellenceWhen it comes to complex, high-performance electronics, the line between sales and engineering has all but disappeared. Customers want more than a quote. They’re not simply buying boards; they’re buying understanding, so engineering is now the front line of customer trust, problem-solving, and long-term success. There was a time when sales meant persuasion, and engineering meant production. Today, the two are inseparable.
Marcy’s Musings: Operating Without a Rulebook
04/15/2026 | Marcy LaRont -- Column: Marcy's MusingsWhat happens when the rulebook is no longer useful, or worse, has not yet been written? With electronics innovation happening at warp speed, we’re increasingly asked to design and build what has no precedent, proven path, or tidy checklist to follow. “Design for invention” begins at the edge of known capability, where traditional DFM gives way to something far less certain, and far more exciting. It’s not about breaking rules for the sake of it; it’s about recognizing when the rules no longer apply and having the insight, collaboration, and courage to move forward anyway.