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

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Every now and then, the news becomes the news. This is one of those times.

Our biggest news this week: I-Connect007 has been acquired by IPC. Every member of the team, including founder and Publisher Barry Matties, is included in this deal. We’ve enjoyed working closely with IPC for decades, especially at events like IPC APEX EXPO, and we have four IPC columnists writing in our magazines and newsletters. 

This move makes sense for both parties. It enables us to take our magazine, newsletters, and book publishing to the next level, and IPC won’t have to spend years building a media company from the ground up. It really is a win-win. 

If you’ve been working with us in any capacity, not much will change, really. Our everyday working routine will just get better. So, it’s pretty big news, but we’ll still be bringing you all the news and technical information you’ve come to expect, but even better than before. Stay tuned!

IPC Acquires Media Company I-Connect007, Strengthening Relationship to Drive Growth and Innovation in the Electronics Industry
Published July 28

Yes, it’s definitely some big news. This marks a vast expansion of the number of experts that Nolan Johnson and I can call upon when we’re planning an issue. “Hey, coworker, what’s this new solder standard all about?” And with greater resources, we’ll be able to do more to help the industry navigate these increasingly crazy times.

Overcoming Electronic Component Supply Chain Disruptions with Spectra
Published July 25

In these times of supply chain disruptions, sourcing components is more difficult than ever. Altium recently launched the Spectra data intelligence environment, which includes the Electronic Design to Delivery Index (EDDI), a free monthly report that combines historical data of components with their current availability, measured against January 2020, a pre-Covid baseline. We can expect to see more tools like this as the supply chain hiccups continue. 

PCB Finance Class with Jeff De Serrano
Published July 28

In times like these, it’s not uncommon to wonder, “What the hell is going on?” It’s helpful to remember that this industry has been through much worse than this—and come out stronger. In this interview with Nolan Johnson, PCB Technologies U.S. Operations President Jeff De Serrano walks us through some of the financial turmoil the industry has faced in the last few decades, and he explains why there’s no time like the present to invest in this industry.

American Standard Circuits Focuses on Education with 77 Second Webinars
Published July 26

If your schedule is packed but you still need to stay up to date with technology, American Standard Circuits has just what you need. Its new 77 Second Webinars offer bite-sized chunks of information on topics such as controlled impedance—in a little more than one minute. ASC manages to put quite a bit into 77 seconds. Check it out on YouTube.

IPC Commends House on Passage of CHIPS+ Legislation
Published July 28 

Well, what do you know? Congress put aside their differences long enough to do something good for the country: They passed the CHIPS Act. As usual, they’re a little late to the party, but we’ll take what we can get, right? Maybe Washington is finally starting to realize that we need to have a strong domestic supply chain. Let’s hold a good thought!

 

03/30/2023 | Alun Morgan, Ventec International Group

At a recent IPC Laminate/Prepreg Materials Subcommittee meeting, I made two observations: It was very well-chaired and managed, and despite a full attendance of very knowledgeable materials experts, none could remember the rationale for several of the specification sheet descriptions—slash sheets—that comprise IPC-4101E, “Specification for Base Materials for Rigid and Multilayer Printed Boards.”

03/30/2023 | Patty Goldman, I-Connect007

Teresa Rowe, IPC senior director, Assembly and Standards Technology, has been inducted into the Raymond E. Pritchard Hall of Fame. She looks back on her unexpected introduction to IPC and how both passion and perseverance have always been at the heart of our industry’s drive to innovate. Seize every chance to grow and learn, Teresa says, and always keep moving toward the next opportunity.

03/28/2023 | Patty Goldman, I-Connect007

Patty Goldman catches up with Gene Weiner, the longest-serving member of IPC, about his experience meeting with the next generation of engineers in IPC’s Emerging Engineers program through a unique contest held at IPC APEX EXPO 2023. Weiner, who has attended well over 60 annual IPC meetings, shared his unflagging optimism and the lessons he’s learned over his illustrious career with the young professionals who managed to find him at the show. With so much still to do, Weiner has no plans to retire any time soon; he’s already hard work helping IPC develop a new program to support aspiring managers in the industry.