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

Reading time ( words)

I’m starting to get more and more out-of-office replies. Are you reading this on your phone while standing in line at Best Buy? But if you’re reading this, here’s to you! It’s been a pretty good year—much better than last year, though that’s a fairly low bar to clear.

It’s a mixed bag this week, with news about trade shows, along with articles and interviews focusing on everything from education to methods for dealing with supply chain issues by staying flexible and taking action earlier in the process.

I won’t be writing this next week, so have a great holiday! See you on the road.

Alun Morgan's productronica Slide Show
Published December 15

You may have missed out on the recent productronica show in Munich. Does anyone know what the international travel restrictions are right now? But fear not! Our friend Alun Morgan, technology ambassador for Ventec International Group and a fantastic photographer (and guitarist) brought his gigantic camera to the show and chronicled the week’s events. As Cajun chef Justin Wilson used to say, “Y’all get your enjoy, I guarantee it.”

AltiumLive 2022 CONNECT Returns to the Global Stage as a Virtual Summit
Published December 15

The AltiumLive CONNECT conference returns as a virtual event, with the U.S. show taking place January 26-28, and the European conference slated for February 2-4. Keynotes include Dr. Eric Bogatin of the University of Colorado; Jackie Mattox, CEO of Women in Electronics; Ashley Quinlan, Global Distribution Channel and Marketing Strategy at Samtec; Dave Doherty, president of Digi-Key Electronics; Robert Feranec, founder of FEDEVEL Academy; and Chris Church, co-founder and of Macrofab. Don’t miss it!

Insulectro Passionate About Educational Programs
Published December 10

There’s a real need for design education right now, especially in regard to designing with high-speed laminates. That’s the message Insulectro’s Ken Parent, Chris Hunrath, and Michelle Walsh share with the I-Connect007 Editorial Team in this recent interview. And Walsh explains how she came into this industry via the world of carpet fibers.

Real Time with… productronica: Electrolube is Going Green
Published December 14

In this pre-productronica interview, Phil Kinner of Electrolube and Editor Pete Starkey discuss the company’s move toward more bio-friendly conformal coatings. Kinner also explains how their recent merger with MacDermid Alpha Electronics Solutions had helped them gain greater access into the automotive segment.

Lean Digital Thread: (Pro)curing the Supply Chain Virus
Published December 15

The supply chain has been in the news for a while now, and while the container ship traffic jams off Long Beach and Shanghai are finally starting to clear up, the supply chain is likely to be a problem for some time. In this column, Siemens’ Mark Laing explains how we can ameliorate the effects of this issue by planning in advance and using “procurement-focused DFM” strategies. Above all, as Mark says, “Flexible designs enable flexible engineering.”

 

03/24/2023 | Nolan Johnson, I-Connect007

It’s almost as if upheaval is the new normal. We often describe slow-moving but unstoppable change as moving in “geologic time.” But occasionally–like an earthquake–geology shifts suddenly. Here in my office, tracking the news of the industry, things are moving faster than geologic time, but more slowly than the jolt of an earthquake. The wave seems almost surfable, where before it seemed overwhelming. In this week’s list, we bring news from five different, high-vibration areas in our industry. If you read nothing else this week, these five items will keep you informed.

03/17/2023 | Patty Goldman, I-Connect007

Sarah Czaplewski-Campbell, a materials/product development engineer at IBM, shares her experiences as a young professional who has benefited from the guidance of seasoned mentors alongside her own unflagging drive to expand her industry knowledge. She offers poignant advice for prospective professionals, urging them to assertively seek out advice and experiences that will help them progress in their careers.

03/02/2023 | Pete Starkey, I-Connect007

During an excellent packed-house luncheon on the Monday of IPC APEX EXPO 2023, IPC Chief Economist Shawn DuBravac gave a keynote address titled, “What's New in Tech: The Micro Trends Defining the Future of Electronics,” with an introduction by IPC President and CEO John W. Mitchell.