I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
September 9, 2022 | Andy Shaughnessy, I-Connect007Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
It feels like the first day of school. It’s September, and we’re all officially back at our desks, workstations, or kitchen tables. Even Les Vacances is over. Oui, c’est vrai!
But instead of facing new teachers, we have to deal with diverse market forces, supply chain issues, and technology that never seems to stop evolving. Of course, that’s what makes this industry so interesting, isn’t it?
This week we highlight some news from industry organizations, an update on the CHIPS Act, and a few columns that focus on failures and what we can learn from them. As Dan Beaulieu points out, failure is an important part of succeeding in the long run, and our industry needs to stop being so “failure-phobic.”
Hold on to your hats, folks. It’s going to be a busy fall! See you in a few weeks.
IPC APEX EXPO 2023 Offers New Courses, New Instructors, and IPC E-Textiles
Published September 9
Today, registration opened for IPC APEX EXPO 2023 in San Diego, slated for Jan. 21–26, 2023. Co-located with the IPC E-Textiles conference on Jan. 23, 2023, the theme for the show is “Advances in a New Era.” The event will feature conference tracks for PCB design, fabrication, and assembly, and we’ll see the return of the PCB design competition as well.
This marks the last IPC APEX EXPO in San Diego for a few years; the show will be held at the Anaheim Convention Center from 2024 through 2026.
Will Marsh: CHIPS Act Update
Published September 6
In one of the few bipartisan efforts to take place in Washington lately, the CHIPS Act was voted through Congress and signed into law by the president. Color me skeptical, but what happens after this whole Kumbaya vibe has faded and it’s time to get to work? Editor Nolan Johnson asks PCBAA President Will Marsh to explain what’s next for this endeavor, and Will fills us in on details of the Supporting American Printed Circuit Boards Act of 2022 as well.
It’s Only Common Sense: It’s Time to Fail
Published September 5
Columnist Dan Beaulieu had a great piece this week on the importance of failing, and being able to learn from our failures. Too often, this industry places a premium on succeeding right now, on the first attempt, and woe to those who suffer a snafu or two along the way. Dan takes a look at some of the failures suffered by people who are now household names, including Henry Ford, Jerry Seinfeld, and Michael Jordan. My favorite MJ story: He missed 9,000 shots in his career.
EIPC Technical Snapshot Webinar
Published September 7
In keeping with the back-to-school theme, EIPC is offering a Technical Snapshot Webinar on Sept. 14 at 15:00 CET. Moderated by EIPC President Alun Morgan, the webinar features four 15-minute presentations, followed by a Q&A session. It’s free to EIPC members and only 50 euros for non-members. Don’t be tardy.
X-Rayted Files: My Favorite BGA Assembly Ever, Part 3
Published September 7
In his latest column, Bill Cardoso discusses his “favorite BGA assembly ever.” As he points out, it’s not his fave because it worked wonderfully; on the contrary, it has so many defects that it’s a perfect illustration of the problems he encounters in BGA assembly every day. Do you have a similar “favorite” PCB project that failed so badly that it’s a textbook example of what not to do?
Suggested Items
Elevating PCB Design Engineering With IPC Programs
04/24/2024 | Cory Blaylock, IPCIn a monumental stride for the electronics manufacturing industry, IPC has successfully championed the recognition of the PCB Design Engineer as an official occupation by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). This pivotal achievement not only underscores the critical role of PCB design engineers within the technology landscape, but also marks the beginning of a transformative journey toward nurturing a robust, skilled workforce ready to propel our industry into the future.
Real Time with... IPC APEX EXPO 2024: Going Vertical: SCHMID's Advanced Solutions for Printed Circuit Boards
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Big Win for Defense Production Act Budget Allocation in FY24 Budget
04/23/2024 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamOne year ago, President Biden issued a determination that chips and packaging are critical for national security. Since that time, much work has been done to continue the conversation in Washington, elevating the importance of the entire chips value chain, and including printed circuit boards and substrates, without which chips cannot operate.
Zentech’s Board of Directors Announces the Return of Matt Turpin as President and CEO
04/22/2024 | Zentech ManufacturingTurpin draws upon over 35 years of experience in the electronics industry and has an 18-year history with Zentech. He previously served as President and CEO from 2006 to 2019 after which time he has remained active in the EMS industry as an advisor to Zentech and other industry organizations.
Aaron Woolf, Dylan Peterson Join SIA Team
04/22/2024 | SIAThe Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) announced Aaron Woolf and Dylan Peterson have joined the SIA team. Woolf will serve as director of global policy for economic security and Peterson will be a communications associate. SIA represents 99% of the U.S. semiconductor industry by revenue and nearly two-thirds of non-U.S. chip firms.