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Meet Diana Radovan, IPC’s Global Sustainability Policy and Advocacy Lead

Dr. Diana Radovan joined IPC in August 2024 as the advocacy lead for sustainability policy, a role that requires awareness of global policy activities. From the IPC Munich office, Diana has been busy working as a policy analyst with Dr. Kelly Scanlon, IPC lead sustainability strategist. In this interview, she shares her background, her role at IPC, and what she wants to accomplish for the benefit of our industry.

Upcoming SMTA UHDI Symposium: Shortening the Learning Curve

SMTA’s second annual UHDI Symposium on Jan. 23 in Phoenix will highlight groundbreaking discussions on UHDI assembly test board, innovative electronic inks, process controls, and signal integrity solutions. Organizer Tara Dunn talks about the importance of the event and how she prepared presentations and discussions that would appeal to fabricators, assemblers, and designers. This event will shorten your learning curve and spark new ideas that push the boundaries of hardware electronics manufacturing. There’s still time to register.

Hot Off the Press: Explore the New Issue of IPC Community

The latest digital copy of IPC Community is now ready to view. Each quarter, IPC Community provides exclusive interviews and practical tips on what’s happening with IPC and its members. Find stories on IPC student leadership, successful women in business, the trouble with tariffs, the inside workings on an IPC mentorship duo, standards updates, and so much more.

Ensuring Compliance With the U.S. CHIPS Act: Identifying the Source of Electronic Components

The U.S. CHIPS Act aims to strengthen domestic semiconductor manufacturing and enhance supply chain security. As part of this initiative, manufacturers must ensure compliance with specific regulations regarding the sourcing of electronic components. This white paper provides an overview of the compliance requirements, relevant laws and standards, and introduces innovative technological solutions to verify the provenance of electronic components.

I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week

In the past couple of weeks, we’ve had some big industry news. In the automotive world, Honda and Nissan merged to form the largest car manufacturer in Japan. Before President Biden left office, he made sure to distribute more CHIPS Act money to bring some measure of electronics manufacturing back to the U.S. And former President Jimmy Carter died at the age of 100 and was honored on Thursday, reminding us all what true integrity looks like. 

EMS Providers Should ‘Plan Prudently’ in 2025

Dennis Reed is a senior research analyst who specializes in electronics manufacturing at Edgewater Research, a leading research and market intelligence firm covering a mix of compute—CPU, GPU, memory, both flash and DRAM, and hard drive—and insights on components which includes broad line semiconductor, IP&E distribution, and channels.

Focus on electronica: Standards and the Factory of the Future

Dr. Thomas Marktscheffel, director of product management software solutions for ASMPT, gave a presentation at electronica 2024 titled Standards Driving the Factory of the Future. We asked Thomas to share his thoughts about the class, why this topic is so important, and what he hoped attendees would take away from his class.

I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Top Five New Year's Resolutions for 2025

The diet starts tomorrow! At least that’s what Americans say on New Year’s Day.  But it turns out that losing weight is not the No. 1 New Year’s resolution in the United States. For this week’s list, I checked with Statista Consumer Insights, a company that tracks statistics of all kinds. Here, then, are the Top Five New Year’s resolutions made by American adults heading into 2025. 

Happy New Year From I-Connect007 

As I-Connect007 observes the New Year’s Day holiday, we also wish you and yours a prosperous new year. We will be back covering the news of the industry tomorrow, January 2, 2025, according to the Gregorian calendar.

BOOK EXCERPT: The Printed Circuit Assembler's Guide to... Encapsulating Sustainability for Electronics, Chapter 4

Bio-based encapsulation resins have the potential to contribute to sustainability targets by extending product lifetime and improving performance. The author explores the use of recycled materials such as biogenic waste and lightweight expandable polymers to create more efficient and environmentally friendly encapsulation resins.

IPC Hall of Fame Spotlight Series: Highlighting Gene Weiner

Over the years, IPC members who have contributed significantly to IPC and our industry have been awarded with the IPC Raymond E. Pritchard Hall of Fame Award. Though many early HOF members have passed away and are unknown to today’s IPC membership, their contributions still resonate. Over the coming months, I look forward to researching and reporting on IPC Hall of Fame members and their contributions. This month, I highlight Gene Weiner.

I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Read ‘Ugly Sweaters’ of the Week

In commemoration of the holiday week, we look at what has become a popular tradition in both the U.S. and England: the ugly Christmas sweater. This fabulous tradition has grown in recent years to encompass not only ugly sweaters but sweatshirts, cardigans (a type of sweater), pajamas, and even headgear. For the sake of simplicity (and far too many options from which to choose), we will stick with sweaters. As we round the bend on Christmas 2024, wade halfway into Hannukah, and look toward the New Year, let’s relish “the ugly.”

Connecting Wires—and Lives: E-Tron Systems Rewiring the Wire Harness Industry With Heart

E-Tron Systems, a Virginia-based contract manufacturer specializing in wire and cable harnesses, isn’t just about connecting wires; they connect lives. For nearly 40 years, E-Tron has been cultivating a legacy of inclusivity and championing a unique workforce where individuals with intellectual disabilities find employment and a sense of community and purpose.

Merry Christmas from I-Connect007!

Though a modern Christmas typically brings to mind vivid images of a jolly Santa Clause, excited children opening gifts on Christmas morning, and huge feasts on festive looking holiday tables, the great holidays in every culture and religious tradition comes with an interesting historical context. 

I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week

Hey, wait a minute, this is the lead-up to the penultimate holiday week, so why is the news cycle so busy? Normally, this period of time—what with all the holiday distraction—is when companies either go quiet or publish press releases covering those throwaway news items. Instead, this week brought in so much important news that I had to be quite discerning in my choices. Newsletter subscribers definitely got a lot of news this week. 

Zhou (Peter) Guoyin: Pioneering the Standardization of ESG

With more than 30 years of experience in corporate social responsibility (CSR) and environmental, social, and governance (ESG), Zhou (Peter) Guoyin has not only witnessed the evolution of CSR and ESG globally but has also been a key force in driving their development. As chair of the IPC-1401 standard committee, Zhou has led numerous innovative projects over the past 11 years and was awarded the SEDEX Supply Chain Impact Award in August 2024. In this exclusive interview, he shares valuable insights into the ESG field and the profound impact of IPC-1401 on the electronics manufacturing industry.

Book Excerpt: The Printed Circuit Assembler’s Guide to... Low-Temperature Soldering, Vol. 2, Chapter 5

Chapter 5 introduces the advantages of using low-temperature soldering for through-hole components, including cost efficiency, reliability improvement, and reduced warpage. Also covered: the evaluation of different fluxes and the performance of HRL3 in wave soldering and selective soldering processes.

Overview of Soldering Systems With Vacuum

When soldering electronic assemblies, the focus of the vacuum application is on the removal of volatile substances from the solder joints and the associated reduction of pore formation. Particularly in the thermal management of power electronics components, pores can cause so-called hotspots with higher temperatures due to their poor heat conduction. These hotspots can lead to overheating of the components on the one hand and to thermally induced destruction of the solder structure on the other.

IPC Releases Latest List of Standards and Revisions

Each quarter, IPC releases a list of standards that are new or have been updated. To view a complete list of newly published standards and standards revisions, translations, proposed standards for ballot, final drafts for industry review, working drafts, and project approvals, visit ipc.org/status. These are the latest releases for Q4 2024.

I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week

This week, Peter Tranitz discusses the upcoming Pan-European Electronics Design Conference, set for Jan. 29-30 in Vienna, Austria. Pete Starkey brings us a review of the most recent EIPC Technical Snapshot webinar, which featured a global PCB maker update by Dr. Hayao Nakahara. Don't miss our interview with Manfred Huschka, who explains how companies can begin their own China Plus One plan. Stan Farnsworth breaks down photonic soldering and discusses its use in soldering materials that are not typically compatible. I also enjoyed Dan Beaulieu’s discussion on the value of consistency, and why just showing up for work is half the battle, especially in an inconsistent, evolving industry like ours.

Working on a Personal Level at Stellar Technical Products

Making the world a better place isn’t just a snappy slogan to put on their marketing collateral for Southern California-based distributor Stellar Technical Products. CEO Mike Min is looking for partners that want to optimize their bottom line, increase their resilience, and create a more sustainable planet. It’s the mission statement for the company, and Mike is working diligently to take that message forward. In this interview he shares the qualities that make Stellar Technical unique.

Advancing Photonic Soldering

Stan Farnsworth, director of customer satisfaction at PulseForge, discusses the advancements in photonic soldering that highlight its energy efficiency and versatility. Over the past two years, the company has refined its applications for flexible substrates and energy reduction, finding that photonic soldering allows the processing of materials that typically aren’t thermally compatible and offers significant energy savings compared to traditional methods.

Real Time with... electronica 2024: STARTEAM GLOBAL Meeting Challenges Head-on

STARTEAM GLOBAL CEO Daniel Jacob and CTO Martin Schneider speak with Pete Starkey at electronica 2024 about their global presence in China, Thailand, and Europe, and how additive manufacturing and inkjet printing are keeping this PCB manufacturer at the forefront of technology. They’re excited about sustainability, the future, and competing on the world stage.

Closing the Loop: iNEMI Workshop Addresses Circularity Challenges

The electronics industry faces increasing pressure from consumers and regulators to implement more circular design principles in their products. While some companies lead the way, many grapple with significant knowledge gaps. These include a lack of clear definitions for "circular economy" in the context of electronics, insufficient data, and inadequate training to apply circular principles effectively across product lifecycles. Additionally, there's a pressing need to understand the return on investment (ROI) and other potential incentives for implementing circular principles.

I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week

This week’s must-reads include a discussion on innovation and embedded components within the layers of a PCB with Accurate Circuit Engineering. We revisit the real cost to manufacture in a case study on how a seemingly small design error can have a dramatic effect on your end customer’s costs. Dan Beaulieu provides this month’s book review highlighting the criticality of fostering creativity in the workplace. Bert Horner of The Test Connection discusses his decision to launch a new, complimentary business venture, The Training Connection; and Ramon Roche of NCAB talks about electric vehicle charging.

Flex PCB Design Best Practices with Dave Lackey

David Lackey, a flex circuit expert at American Standard Circuits, speaks about the advantages and challenges of designing with flexible and rigid-flex PCBs. He also discusses how consulting before the design phase can save time and costs by avoiding manufacturing issues and highlights the reliability and packaging benefits of flex technology, especially for compact designs in sectors like aerospace.

The Training Connection Difference

Bert Horner, president of The Test Connection, has recently launched The Training Connection, a new company that addresses critical training needs in test engineering and development. With a focus on essential methodologies like design for test (DFT) and IPC standards, the initiative promises to enhance the skills of professionals in the field. At PCB Carolina, Bert talked about the program, its positive reception, and the growing demand for practical, effective training solutions within the industry.

Real Time with... electronica 2024: Revolutionizing Inspection—Delvitech AI Innovations

Pete Starkey Interviews Roberto Gatti, chief executive officer of Delvitech, which specializes in 3D automated optical inspection using advanced artificial intelligence. Founded in 2018, the company stands out by integrating AI with high-end hardware to enhance inspection capabilities. Its neural networks mimic human brain functions, improving results over time.

I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week

If you’re in the U.S. today, odds are you’re at home enjoying the aftermath of a Thanksgiving holiday meal. Let me just say that whether you had a Thanksgiving holiday surrounded by family, friends, or both, I hope it was joyous. If you know someone who doesn’t have friends or family with whom to share this time, please reach out and include them. Chronic loneliness can exact a measurable toll on our mental and physical health. Wherever you are on the globe this holiday season, I encourage you to reach out to someone who might be battling loneliness and connect. It will make a difference to them. Not only will it help get you in the mood for your winter holiday of choice, but it’ll be good for your mental health as well.

Happy Thanksgiving From the I-Connect007 Team

As we take time to observe Thanksgiving, the I-Connect007 team wishes to offer our thanks to our readers, advertisers, and contributors: designers, fabricators, engineers, assemblers, quality and process control gurus, chemists, physicists, supervisors, managers, entrepreneurs, business owners, standards writers, industry experts, and more. Thank you all for your support.

Is It the Death of the Dashboard?

In 2024, companies are leveraging AI agents to automate data-driven decisions, bypassing the need for specialized data science skills. In this interview with Tim Burke and Jennifer Davis of Arch Systems, they say these AI tools can handle straightforward tasks, significantly improving factory efficiency by addressing numerous small issues. This shift allows existing staff to use data effectively without extensive retraining. Both large and small language models are used to support real-time decisions on the production floor, integrating various data sources to create a comprehensive digital twin of the factory’s operations.

IPC Japan Puts More Focus on Collaboration, Standards Development, Advanced Packaging

In the past year, IPC has strengthened its relationships with key Japanese companies and government bodies. This was accomplished, in part, by a visit to Japan this past summer, where members of the IPC Asia team, punctuated by standards committee work last winter, forged stronger ties with government officials and companies involved in electronics manufacturing.

Real Time with... electronica 2024: SPEA's AI Integration—Innovations in Test Equipment

In this interview from electronica 2024, Pete Starkey speaks with Andrea Furnari, VP of Electronic Test Products Business Unit for SPEA. The discussion revolves around AI integration in test equipment, trends in substrate materials, and SPEA's focus on R&D.

I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week

In this week’s roundup, I’m highlighting a variety of articles. We have an interview with Jess Hollenbaugh, a recent graduate working for Polar Instruments. We also have an interview with IPC’s Matt Kelly and Devan Iyer, whose white paper may provide a way forward for companies dealing with complex advanced packages. Our newest columnist Tom Yang describes the U.S. PCB industry from the point of view of a technologist from another country, and Dan Beaulieu has a review of Malcolm Gladwell’s follow-up to The Tipping Point. Finally, we have my review of PCB Carolina, a one-day tabletop show that keeps expanding, much like my waistline after eating their catered food. Enjoy!

Offshore Sourcing in the Global Supply Chain

​​​​​​​Bob Duke, president of the Global Sourcing Division at American Standard Circuits, discusses the challenges and benefits of navigating the global supply chain, including the value of strong supplier relationships, rigorous quality control, and strategic sourcing from regions including China, Vietnam, and India.

Advanced Packaging: Preparation is Now

A new IPC white paper, “Advanced Packaging to Board Level Integration—Needs and Challenges,” authored by Devan Iyer, chief strategist of advanced packaging, and Matt Kelly, chief technology officer, shares expertise on and advocacy for advanced packaging. In this conversation, they share details from the paper about the complexities of advanced packaging technology and provide additional insight into how next-generation packaging will change how printed circuit boards will be designed, fabricated, and assembled, including final system assembly implications.

PCB Carolina’s Formula: Industry Experts and Catered Food

PCB Carolina organizers at the Better Boards design bureau seem to have found the perfect formula: Industry experts plus catered food equals a constantly expanding show. This one-day tabletop show has been growing for two decades, and that trendline continued with this year’s event on November 13. 

Data-driven Precision in PCBA Manufacturing

The intricacies involved in electronics manufacturing require more than just expensive equipment and skilled technicians; they necessitate an accurate understanding of the entire production flow, informed and driven by access and visibility to reliable data.

An Update on USPAE's Strategic Initiatives

James Will became executive director of the U.S. Partnership for Assured Electronics (USPAE) in May and now provides this update on the group's strategic initiatives. The organization, which is affiliated with IPC, recently transitioned to being a 501(c)(3). It is navigating through a dynamic landscape, working to enhance our microelectronics manufacturing capabilities including PCBs, and adapt to emerging technology trends and market challenges.

Automating Test Processes in Modern PCBA Manufacturing

ICT and functional test play critical roles in the electronics manufacturing process. In many cases, these processes are the final line of defense in identifying defects, preventing failures from reaching the end user, and safeguarding a manufacturer's reputation. A growing problem in this area has been the sheer increase in production output from the SMT line. As components get smaller, PCBs will continue shrinking, allowing engineers to design highly panelized products.

I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week

In our industry we work on solutions. This week, solutions are represented in these must-read choices. Solid state batteries make an appearance, as does LED imaging equipment at American Standard Circuits. SPEA’s AI-based optical inspection is here, as are Happy Holden’s recent article on one key engineering skill and news about a flagship R&D facility funded by the U.S. CHIPS Act.​​​​​​​

Counterfeit Detection: Cybord’s Accurate One-Two Punch

To continue the counterfeit discussion from our October issue, I recently connected with Oshri Cohen, CEO of Cybord, to discuss advancements in both counterfeit detection and data analytics. To hear Oshri describe Cybord’s work is to realize that real-time counterfeit detection technologies can also contribute directly to improving process windows in production.

Navigating the Supply Chain Challenges and Opportunities in Aerospace and Defense

The intersection of supply chain management and sustainability is evolving rapidly, driven by a mix of voluntary and mandatory actions from stakeholders including investors, governments (federal, state, and international), customers, suppliers, and communities. Beyond the traditional considerations of price, quality, and delivery, companies face increasing pressure to address challenges associated with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) impacts.

Real Time with... SMTAI 2024: The Value of Experience in Outsourced Assembly Services

Nolan Johnson interviews Alan Couchman, president of Process Sciences, Inc. during SMTAI 2024. Couchman discusses the opportunities and benefits to being an outsourced assembly services company based in Austin, Texas.

Real Time with... SMTAI 2024: Coating Solutions for Every Size from ECT

Erick Campos reviews the one-stop coatings solutions offered by ECT, ranging from coating services to equipment installation and training.

Real Time with... SMTAI 2024: SPEA Brings Added Sophistication to Board Testing Capabilities

Luca Fanelli describes SPEA's new AI-based optical inspection technology and shares a powerful example from the field. He also updates Nolan Johnson on SPEA's organizational growth meant to improve customer value.

Real Time with... SMTAI 2024: Post-event Excitement and Momentum

On the last day of SMTA International 2024 Nolan Johnson had the opportunity to speak with Ryan Flaherty, SMTA's director of communications, to reflect on a return to Rosemont and a full week of activities at this year's big event.

Real Time with... SMTAI 2024: SMTA Austin on the Grow

In this interview from SMTAI 2024, Nolan Johnson chats with SMTA Austin Chapter Treasurer Brad Pagano, who shares what he's learned in his first 10 months of board service with this growing chapter. His insights are good advice for board members in other chapters.

I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week

It’s been a busy week in PCB design, fabrication, and assembly. We published some mixed news about the EMS segment, and an article about the supply chain. Are companies holding onto too much inventory? After the recent supply chain snafus, I can certainly understand why they might. We have an article about liquid metal ink, a cool new technology developed by LDQX, formerly known as Averatek. We also have an article about fighting advanced counterfeiting methods, and news about an acquisition by Siemens.

Real Time with... SMTAI 2024: Saki Focuses on Keeping Customers Running

Nolan Johnson recently spoke with Craig Brown From Saki. Brown shares Saki's expanded service and sales infrastructure, new equipment, and ongoing work to design feature modularity into Saki products.

Are Firms Holding Too Much Inventory?

In the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, manufacturers made significant adjustments to inventory management strategies as they faced sharp declines in demand and economic uncertainty. Manufacturers moved to scale back production and attempted to quickly reduce inventory levels. Post-crisis, many manufacturers adopted lean inventory practices, such as just-in-time (JIT) production, to minimize holding costs and illiquidity risks.

Real Time with... SMTAI 2024: Akrometrix and the Importance of Material Thermal Analysis

In this interview from SMTAI 2024, Neil Hubble of Akrometrix updates Nolan Johnson on the latest in thermal warpage and strain analysis. Hubble details how these profiles are increasingly important beginning with design and continuing all the way through to manufacture. 

Combatting Advanced Techniques in Counterfeiting

In today's interconnected global marketplace, counterfeit electronics pose a significant threat to industries ranging from aerospace and defense to healthcare and telecommunications. As counterfeiters employ increasingly sophisticated techniques, the need for robust strategies to prevent, mitigate, and identify counterfeit components has become critical. This article explores the advanced techniques used in counterfeiting, the potential involvement of state-owned enterprises (SOEs), and comprehensive strategies for combating this pervasive issue.

Real Time with... SMTAI 2024: KYZEN's Process Control System and the Digital Factory

Nolan Johnson speaks with Tom Forsythe From KYZEN in this interview captured at SMTA International 2024.  Did you know that KYZEN products include more than just cleaning formulas? In this conversation, Tom Forsythe explains how their process control system plays an important role in implementing a digital factory.

Real Time with... SMTAI 2024: Koh Young's Lessons in System Integration

Nolan Johnson speaks with Joel Scutchfield from Koh Young at this year's SMTA International convention in Rosemont. Scutchfield shares insights on data-driven factories and the dynamics of adopting new technologies and processes. 

SMTAI Returns to Its Chicago Roots

SMTA International, the anchor conference and exhibition for SMTA, returned to the Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois, Oct. 20–24. After a COVID hiatus, followed by two years of co-locating with the MDMA show in Minneapolis, SMTAI went back to its Chicagoland home turf. The 2024 installment of the SMTAI event included more than 110 exhibitors, co-location with The ASSEMBLY Show, over 100 technical papers in the conference, technical forums, social activities, and renewed enthusiasm in the attendants.

Real Time with... SMTAI 2024: LPKF Laser Depaneling—Debunking the Heat Myth

LPKF's Jake Benz shares the testing results he presented at the SMTAI conference showing that laser depaneling is not a significant source of heat to PCBAs. Benz goes into details why.

I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week

Just this month, the Fall issue of IPC Community was released, spotlighting the global activities of IPC and its members. SMT007 Magazine covers the scary situation around counterfeit components. Design007 Magazine is not playing tricks with its hard-hitting discussions about “partial HDI.” (If you are asking yourself what that is, you really need to take a look.) Finally, PCB007 Magazine’s alternate metallization issue offers some real treats, including an interview featured this past week with Carmichael Gugliotti of MacDermid Alpha. In you’re in the U.S., here’s to an early Happy Halloween.

Counterfeit Concerns: Navigating the Risks

Nolan Johnson meets with Diganta Das, PhD, and Michael Azarian, PhD, research scientists at the CALCE Electronic Products and Systems Center at the University of Maryland, to discuss the increasing issue of counterfeiting in the electronics and assembly industry. Diganta and Michael highlight the need for robust detection methods and standards to mitigate risks, specifically referencing SAE AS6171 for inspection and AS5553 for counterfeit mitigation. They cover real-world cases, like counterfeit network equipment scandals to relatively simple issues of consumer electronics accessories to illustrate the complexity of the issue and debate the philosophical implications of labeling products that contain a few minor counterfeit components as “counterfeit.”

AEMS: Expanding Del Mar’s Vibe into Anaheim

In the final hours of the Anaheim Electronics & Manufacturing Show (AEMS), I spoke with show managers Doug Bodenstab and Connor Good. Doug, a longtime surfer, is also the founder and manager of the Del Mar Electronics & Manufacturing Show at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. I asked Doug and Connor to discuss how the Anaheim show got started and the impact it’s making on the industry.
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