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Current IssueThe Growing Industry
In this issue of PCB007 Magazine, we talk with leading economic experts, advocacy specialists in Washington, D.C., and PCB company leadership to get a well-rounded picture of what’s happening in the industry today. Don’t miss it.
The Sustainability Issue
Sustainability is one of the most widely used terms in business today, especially for electronics and manufacturing but what does it mean to you? We explore the environmental, business, and economic impacts.
The Fabricator’s Guide to IPC APEX EXPO
This issue previews many of the important events taking place at this year's show and highlights some changes and opportunities. So, buckle up. We are counting down to IPC APEX EXPO 2024.
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I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads For the Week
February 3, 2023 | Nolan Johnson, I-Connect007Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
It’s Feb. 3, 2023—2/3/23—and now we know the results of yesterday’s Groundhog weather forecast straight from Gobbler’s Knob in Pennsylvania. Punxsutawney Phil says six more weeks of winter. If you’re watching the ongoing ice storms blanketing much of the United States at present, that seems like a safe bet.
Also a safe bet is that the most-read news this week is IPC APEX EXPO related. Additionally, this week IPC published its EMS and PCB numbers for December. All told, lots of industry news to read this week.
For readers who closely follow our weekly must-reads, I’m stepping in for Andy Shaughnessy, who’s been busy covering DesignCon this week. It feels a little similar to Bill Murray in “Groundhog Day,” where Andy’s in a never-ending loop of on-the-road news reporting. I’m happy to step in for our road warrior this week.
These five news items might be my pick for the week, but I also encourage you to visit www.realtimewith.com to watch our on-the-floor video interviews; there is much to learn there. We’ll be publishing these interviews to our newsletters as well over the next few weeks (of winter, if you believe Punxsutawney Phil.) Or you can binge on them right now.
NIST Resources for CHIPS Act Participants
Published January 27
This concise article was originally published in the January issue of SMT007 Magazine and summarizes some of the key resources available to our industry through NIST. This information was presented at IPC’s advanced packaging symposium in October 2022. At the symposium, government representatives shared that CHIPS Act proposals would start being accepted in February 2023. Could it be that’s leading to increased interest in resources such as these?
IPC APEX EXPO Wrap-up
Published January 30
Managing editor Andy Shaughnessy’s post-show dispatch historically is a go-to piece for readers. Andy’s knack for capturing both the business and the fun of the show is one of the reasons for his popularity, I’m sure. This year’s newsletter report does not disappoint. Get a feel for the buzz, in Andy’s very own words.
North American EMS Industry Down 2.7% in December
Published January 27
Shawn DuBravac, IPC’s chief economist, is quoted in the report, “Looking forward, the economic climate is set to deteriorate in the first half of 2023. Despite this, overall industry demand appears to be holding up and backlogs appear healthy.” For 2022 overall, shipments were up and orders were down. The heavy weight of recession fears hangs like a dark cloud, but what does it mean for you?
North American PCB Industry Sales Down 1.7% in December
Published January 27
The December industry report from IPC showed a mixed bag of increases and decreases, suggesting that there is still more settling to do. Commenting on the PCB fabrication numbers, Shawn DuBravac, IPC’s chief economist stated, “Some of the weakness in this month's book-to-bill reflects uneven shipments figures in recent months. December results showed a second consecutive month of improvement. For the year, order were down 6.5 percent while shipments were up 10.1 percent.” Click through here to find out how to access the full report.
SMTA Seeks Applications for 2023 Stromberg Scholarship
Published February 2
As we face a skilled talent shortage in our industry, every opportunity to encourage young students to pursue a career in on electronics need to be stressed. Likewise, getting students involved in the industry organizations early in their studies is a solid strategy for mentoring and retaining that student talent. SMTA’s JoAnn Stromberg Scholarship celebrates students pursuing electronics who are also involved in the SMTA. Read about the scholarship here, then spread the word to the young people you know.
Secret Hidden Bonus Pick!
Don't Blink: The IPC APEX EXPO Time-lapse
Published January 31
The show floor time-lapse is one of our most popular videos each year. The media production team—Bryson Matties, Mike Radogna, Bryan Bernas, and our other unsung heroes at the show—make it a point to get this camera rolling as soon as we have access to our booth. Given how many views this video captures after the show, you all enjoy it just as much as we do.
Suggested Items
ZESTRON Academy Launches 2024 Advanced Packaging & Power Electronics Webinar Series
05/01/2024 | ZESTRONZESTRON, the leading global provider of high-precision cleaning products, services, and training solutions in the electronics manufacturing and semiconductor industries, proudly announces the launch of its highly anticipated webinar series on Advanced Packaging & Power Electronics, a webinar series on the latest innovations, cleaning, and corrosion challenges.
The New Industry: Will the Growth Continue?
04/30/2024 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamHow sustainable are the primary financial models in the United States regarding PCB fabrication shops? In this interview with economic experts Shawn DuBravac and Tom Kastner, we explore what’s happening with U.S. printed circuit board shops in today’s market, how consolidation affects the industry, and what can be done.
TTM’s High Tech Expansion and Industry Innovation
04/30/2024 | Marcy LaRont, PCB007 MagazineTom Edman has been the CEO of TTM Technologies since 2014 and has an extensive background in electronics and manufacturing. TTM is a leading global manufacturer of technology solutions, including mission systems, RF component and RF microwave microelectronics assemblies, and quick turn and advanced technology printed circuit boards.
U.S. Companies Invest Heavily in Robots
04/30/2024 | IFRManufacturing companies in the United States have invested heavily in more automation: total installations of industrial robots rose by 12% and reached 44,303 units in 2023. Number one adopter is the car industry followed by the electrical and electronics sector.
USPAE to Springboard U.S. Technology Forward
04/30/2024 | Marcy LaRont, PCB007 MagazineThe U.S. Partnership for Assured Electronics (USPAE) was launched as a nonprofit subsidiary of IPC in 2020, specifically to manage the DoD relationship and access to funding, and to develop a cooperative facility to develop UHDI capabilities in the U.S., not only for the defense sector, but for the whole of the U.S. electronics industry. It is a tall order, but industry veteran Joe O'Neil believes it will happen. Having been tasked with making the UHDI Capable Cooperative Production Facility (UCCPF) a reality, he provides an update on this important project for U.S. electronics manufacturing.