It's Only Common Sense: What's the Big Secret?

What's the big secret? Is it that you don't want anyone to know about your business? Is it that you feel that you already have all the bookings you need? Just what is the problem with getting your name out there in front of your customers?

Soligie Sold on Printed Electronics

Many PCB companies are moving into printed electronic circuits, but Soligie came at PEC from the other side--printing. Alex Zeitler talks with Editor Andy Shaughnessy about the benefits of PEC and why it will likely replace some traditional PCB technology.

The Real "Total Cost of Ownership" of Your Test Equipment

This paper introduces a TCO model for electronic test and measurement equipment and shows how operating costs can be critical drivers in reducing TCO beyond simply lowering acquisition (capital) costs. The TCO concept will help equipment owners make informed decisions on the purchase decision.

Business Forecast: Partly Murky?

The economy continues to struggle, but some electronics companies are doing quite well. What gives? Bare Board Group President Greg Papandrew talks with Editor Ray Rasmussen about the current state of the PCB markets and the visibility going forward, which can best be described as "murky."

Laser Processing of Materials: A New Strategy Toward Materials Design and Fabrication for Electronic Packaging

Increasing the unit volume complexity and density of next-generation packaging products is key. Laser processing is finding an increasing number of applications in the fabrication of these devices. This paper focuses on the application of laser processing to two specific material areas--thin films and nanocomposite films.

Potential Low-Cost Palladium-Alternatives for Activating Electroless Copper Deposition

In this paper, electrochemical measurements were carried out to obtain information about the catalytic activity of copper, silver, nickel and palladium in the oxidation reaction of formaldehyde, as well as glyoxylic acid. Metals with high catalytic activity for each reductant oxidation can be determined by using cyclic voltammetry. These metals are suitable for an improved activation process in electroless copper deposition.

Thermal Management Conference Tackles FR-4 Alternatives

Removing heat has become a major issue as more highly-integrated devices are jammed into less space. At the same time, high-power devices, such as LEDs, are becoming increasingly common, forcing designers and manufacturers to figure out how to keep their products cool.

Taiyo Gains Market Share in Europe: Campisi Interview

Steve Campisi, Taiyo's technical sales expert, having just returned from an extended, but successful, sales trip to Europe, sat down with Dan Beaulieu last week to discuss what it's like for an American-based, Japanese-owned company to do business in Europe.

IPC Opens India Office, Training Facility

Extending its training and knowledge-based resources and services to Indian electronics manufacturing facilities on a local level, IPC has opened its first office in India. Located in South Bangalore, close to the well-known Electronics City, IPC India, a wholly-owned subsidiary of IPC, will be under the leadership of Managing Director, Akshinthala Vijayendra.

Tyco to Sell Mechatronics Business, Affirms Q4 Guidance

The closing of the transaction is expected to occur within 30 days and, in connection with the sale, the company will record a non-cash pre-tax loss of approximately $45 million. Tyco continues to expect adjusted EPS from continuing operations of $0.68 to $0.72 and revenues of $3.05 to $3.15 billion for the fiscal quarter ending September 24, 2010.

Through-Hole PCB Plating With Ultrasonically-Dispersed Copper Nanoparticles

This paper demonstrates the "proof of concept" that copper nanoparticles can be utilized to catalyse the electroless copper process and their potential to replace costly palladium-based activators. The potential for copper nanoparticles to be used as a "direct plate process" is also addressed.

Cicor's PCB Segment Posts 27% Revenue Growth in 1H

Compared to the previous year, the PCB Division increased its net proceeds during the period by 27.3% to CHF 17.8 million (first half of 2009: CHF 14.0 million); During the period, the ES Division achieved net proceeds of CHF 44.8 million (first half of 2009: CHF 41.5 million).

Organic Optical Waveguide Fabrication in a Manufacturing Environment

In this paper, authors from Endicott Interconnect show various organic optical waveguide samples using various fabrication methods. A detailed discussion of all the processes, materials and equipment sets that are employed in the fabrication of the organic optical waveguides are presented.

Guidelines Set on Conflict Minerals Regulation

A new bill, the Financial Reform Bill (HR 4173), has been recently signed, wherein Sec. 1502 states that manufacturers are required to report annually to the SEC if their products contain "conflict minerals" from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

It's Only Common Sense: Let's Start Really Selling

Today's sales people need to be hunters. Listen to this week's new column from Dan Beaulieu, the first in a new series on hard-core selling the "new" way.

BBG's Papandrew Talks PCB Market at Home and Abroad

Bare Board Group's Greg Papandrew sits down with Editor Ray Rasmussen to discuss the PCB market here in the U.S., Taiwan and China, as material shortages push out lead-times and drive up prices.

Meet Our Columnists and Advisors

With the marriage of I-Connect007 and SMT Magazine, the group of industry experts on hand to guide our readers through news, events, controversies, solutions and more--in every aspect of the electronics industry--has grown to an impressive list.

IPC PCQR2 Database Revises Test Panel

Revisions contain a new coupon strip consisting of a Conductive Anodic Filament coupon (through vias only) with four incremental edge-of via spacings; modified via reliability coupons with two different grid spacings in each via net; along with via and conductor cross-section coupons.

Dow Americas is Ready for the Upturn

Company General Manager for the Americas, Hal Thrasher, discusses the integration of Rohm & Haas, the new business structure and the very comprehensive R&D a company like Dow brings to the PCB industry.

Uyemura on the Market and ENEPIG

Don Walsh, Uyemura USA Director of Operations, and George Milad, National Accounts Manager, discuss the market, their business and the progress of the ENEPIG surface finish. Milad heads up the specifications effort, which will soon help bring this finish to the mainstream market.

IPC-7093: BTC Standard Nears Completion

Chipmakers like BTC because it's inexpensive, while electronic engineers like this package style because the distances signals have to travel are short and there's usually a good thermal connection because the parts touch the board.

The Plan for Success--It's No Secret!

Saturn Electronics bounced back from a significant sales hit, having been immersed primarily in the automotive market. The company is a successful board fabricator and is positioned for strong growth with innovative technology and a commitment to investment, according to Yash Sutariya, Vice President.

IPC: Rigid PCB Book-to-Bill Rose in April

Rigid PCB shipments were up 35.7% while bookings increased 40.6% in April 2010 from April 2009. The book-to-bill ratio for the North American rigid PCB industry in April 2010 continued its climb to 1.11.

Rogers Tackles Top Trends with High-Freq Laminate

John Ritchie, Product Manager for Rogers Corporation, reviews his company's new high-frequency laminate product, RO4360, which features a Dk of 6.15. The new product can address issues concerning what Ritchie sees as three mega-trends in the industry: The drive toward mass transit, sustainable energy and Internet growth.

It's Only Common Sense: Steal This Idea

Are we even interested enough to steal ideas from the "other guys?" Check out this week's all new column and find out.

It's Only Common Sense: The Future is Now

The future is now! Life as we know it is about to change for the PCB industry, starting right now. This week, Dan Beaulieu looks into his crystal ball and gives us a glimpse of this new future.

Walt Custer's Global Market Outlook

With the recession of 2009 behind us, market guru Walt Custer offers his insight as to where we are today and takes a look into the future of our industry. Of course, a few concerns are still evident, but things are looking up.

It's Only Common Sense: Cheaters Cheating

If you think everyone in this industry is playing by the rules, think again. This week, Dan Beaulieu gives you the real scoop on cheaters.

Will Internet Clouds Become Like Electricity?

Consona's Mehul Dave delivered an interesting paper at a recent CPCA Show Forum. He discusses the content of the that paper and elaborates on one of the key points: Internet "clouds" are a technology that our industry--and all businesses--must soon reckon with.

UL and CQC Authorized Testing

Microtek Chairman Bob Neves sits down with Editor Steve Gold during the recent CPCA Show to discuss his company's new worldwide "Preferred Partner" agreement with Underwriters Laboratory (UL), as well as the increase in regulations and litigation in China.

Bogatin Gives "First-Timer" Review of CPCA Show

The "Signal Integrity Evangelist" Eric Bogatin hosted his new, high-speed design workshop during CPCA 2010. He sat down with Editor Steve Gold to discuss the technology he reviewed at his first CPCA event and explains why members of Congress should be attending as well.

It's Only Common Sense: Do You Know What You Don't Know?

We're on the topic of pricing once again! Do you know what you don't know? Check out this week's new column--Dan Beaulieu discusses the all-important issue of pricing.

An Inside Look at ICT's First 2010 Darlington Seminar

ICT welcomed delegates last week to the UK's Devonport Hotel for the first Darlington Seminar of 2010, which included presentations from Lamar Group, Park Electrochemical, Electronics Yorkshire and IeMRC. I-Connect007's European Editor Pete Starkey was there and gives a full report.

It's Only Common Sense: Why Forecasting?

Why forecasting? This week, Dan Beaulieu discusses a few of the hidden benefits of the process.

A View of the European Industry: A Distributor's Perspective

PCB007 European Editor Stuart Hayton has a conversation with Andre Bogedom, Managing Director at Adeon, one of Europe's leading PCB supply distributors. Find out the state of Europe's PCB manufacturing sector from an insider who has his finger on the pulse of the industry.

It's Only Common Sense: Snap Out of It!

It's time to snap out of it! The economy is coming back...are you ready?

Converting Flex from HASL to RoHS-Compliant Finishes

Although the transition from HASL to RoHS might sound easy, it isn't. Listen to Al Wasserzug as he explains a few things to consider as you make the move to a RoHS-compliant surface finish.

MacDermid Plans For the Future

MacDermid's Ian Stewart discusses how his company has expanded in the China market. He explains how MacDermid plans to take advantage of a recent change in the China market--from low-tech to more high-tech products.

A New Brand and Different Direction

Maria Gonzalez of Gardien Independent Testing outlines the company's strategy for equipment sales and outsourcing services in the post-Mania era.

BBG Introduces Greg Meindl, Midwest Sales

BBG has been making steady progress through the downturn and recently added long-time PCB pro, Greg Meindl, to manage sales in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin.

Orbotech Strengthens LDI Offering

Orbotech President Yoav Harel believes his company has found a robust solder mask solution with its latest addition to the Paragon LDI family. Find out why in this exclusive productronica 2009 interview.

Marshall Matters: A Place at the Table

There is strength in numbers and increased industry representation will result in mutual benefit to the IPC and its members. Growing membership, and pooling resources to achieve targeted solutions, creates synergy that individual action cannot match.

Bridging the Gap Between Printed Electronics and Printed Circuits

PCB007 Columnist Bob Tarzwell speaks with Stan Farnsworth, VP of Marketing, Novacentrix, at this month's Printed Electronics USA and examines a piece of equipment that could help printed circuit fabricators step into building printed electronics.

HKPCA Mirrors Upswing in China

Anthony Hilvers, Vice President of Marketing Programs for IPC, gives a post-show wrap-up. Hilvers believes this year's successful HKPCA show is a reflection of the overall recovery in China.

Getting the UL Seal of Approval in China

With reliability being such a critical concern in electronics manufacture, it's no surprise that UL has seen an increased demand for test services. Global Business Development Manager, Truda K. Chow, talks about what her company is doing in China and how it's handling a growing customer base.

UK Embarks on Research Initiative

Professor Martin Goosey, a veteran PCB technologist, discusses a unique, government-funded research program that unites the needs of industry with the resources of academia. Will this model prove worthwhile for other PCB-producing nations that have unmet R&D needs?

Understanding Europe's Bare PCB Technical Needs

EIPC Technical Director, Michael Weinhold, covers the latest European legislative happenings, including the push toward halogen-free PCBs. Weinhold also addresses other technical concerns, along with the evolving relationship between European PCB makers and low-cost Asian fabricators.

Printed Electronics Circuits: Get on the Bandwagon

Will there be a need for the PCB quickturn and prototype fab shop in a few years if a reliable printed electronic circuit can be built in nothing more than a small corner of a plant with a screen printer, exposure, developer, oven and a drill/router? By Mike DuBois.

Touchless Transport System Offers Plating Process Innovation

After first discussing the PCB market outlook, Atotech Global Sales and Marketing Manager, Dimitry Kostouros, reveals details about his company's new Touchless Transport System (TTS)--a system that holds great promise for HDI manufacture.

Coretec Posts 20% On-Year Sales Drop in 3Q

Sales in the 2009 third quarter were $16.3 million, a decrease of $1.6 million sequentially or 9.4% as compared to sales of $ 17.9 million in Q209, and down $4.0 million or 19.9% from sales of $20.3 million in the same period of the prior year.

Weave and CAF: An Eye-Opening Discussion

Dielectric Solutions' Vice President, Technology, John Kuhn, sits down with Editor Ray Rasmussen to discuss a new glass system that promises to eliminate many of the headaches associated with traditional glass structures for laminates.

D-15 Flex Test Methods Group Update

Duane Mahnke, of DB Mahnke Consulting, heads the D-15 Flex Test Methods committee and provides updates on the group's efforts. One project under development is a thermal index test to let flex fabricators know how long flex materials will survive under elevated conditions.

PCQR2 Subcommittee Update

Designed as a benchmarking tool, the PCQR2 allows board fabricators to assess their capabilities using a common set of tests and tools. David Wolf, Vice President of Technical Marketing at Conductor Analysis Technologies, gives an overview of the committee, its mission and its goals.

The Gold Record: Crosstalk is Back!

This week's edition of The Gold Record is actually a new Crosstalk with Dan Beaulieu and new guest, Bob Tarzwell. They discuss whether or not the upturn in global economic indicators is truly having an impact on our industry. Is there really going to be a "pent-up demand" effect in electronics?

IPC Announces Environmental Compliance Conferences

The IPC (Association Interconnecting Electronics Industries) will be holding two conferences regarding compliance with the current environmental laws November 10-11, 2009, at the Marriott Hotel in Irvine, California.

IPC Lean Sigma Conference: Strategies to Improve Quality

The event offers insight into ways to immediately implement the Lean Sigma methodology and reduce cycle times, inventory levels and costs while improving quality.

Opening Eyes on Weave and CAF

Typical glass fibers can present an uneven pattern to the copper traces overlaid upon them, and that can lead to signal skew and timing errors. John Kuhn of Dielectric Solutions discusses a new, tighter fiber weave that can help eliminate "fiber weave effect" and the attendant signal integrity problems.

Inside Look: Institute of Circuit Technology Arundel Seminar

Technical Director Bill Wilkie introduced a programme of three excellent presentations on hole-plugging, high frequency materials and cost-effective panelisation, which were attentively received and which triggered some lively discussion, both in the lecture room and in the bar afterward.

The Gold Record: Printed Electronics PCBs Becoming a Reality

DMRPCB's Robert Tarzwell is a printed electronics PCB pioneer. He is now offering fabricators printed electronics "kits" that will give PCB makers a better understanding of how to manufacture printed electronics circuit boards. He's also teaming with Taiyo America, and other partners, to help push printed electronics into the mainstream. Is this technology ready?

PCB Design, Engineering Considerations for Medical Electronics Assemblies

Close collaboration between device makers and a PCB manufacturer with broad knowledge of PCB design and engineering issues can greatly improve the successful planning and production of medical electronic circuit assemblies.

It's Only Common Sense: Ten Ways to Get Sales Moving

What do you do when your bookings fall through the floor? This week, Dan Beaulieu, offers ten ways to get things moving.

Fitch: U.S. EMS Sector Credit Quality Improves

Fitch's Outlook for the sector is now "Stable" versus a "Negative Outlook" at the beginning of the year. Fitch expects moderate revenue growth over the intermediate term coupled with marginal improvement in profitability to further stabilize and improve credit metrics.

RUWEL Emerges From Insolvency

RUWEL, a PCB producer with a long tradition in Europe, has been rescued--and it couldn't have been more dramatic. The company is heading into the future with an order scope extending to the end of February and has prospects with an Asian partner.

Dow Electronic Materials Launches Silveron MF 100

Dow Electronic Materials introduces Silveron MF 100 autocatalytic silver and Aurolectroless SMT immersion gold for ASIG (autocatalytic silver immersion gold) final finish process for the PCB industry.

FLAT-WRAP: A Novel Approach to Copper Wrap Plate

Flat-Wrap Technology provides a solution to Copper Wrap Plate problems. Flat-Wrap allows for copper wrap plate without the build up of surface copper thickness. This aspect of this technology provides the benefit of producing highly reliable PCBs without sacrificing fabrication capability.

Aspocomp Reports 45% Sales Drop in 1H09

"The market remained challenging. Due to decreased net sales, the Oulu plant's result turned red. In addition, about EUR 0.2 million in one-time compensation for dismissal and provision for bad debt were booked during the period," says Sami Holopainen, President and CEO.

Bare Board Group: Third Time's the Charm

Bare Board Group, Inc. (BBG), a U.S. supplier of quality PCBs, has earned position #2278 on this year's 2009 Inc. 5000 ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in the United States.

Camtek Posts 34% Revenue Increase in 2Q09

Camtek has announced that revenues for the second quarter of 2009 increased 34% to $12.5 million, compared to $9.3 million in the first quarter of 2009. Revenues in the second quarter last year totaled $22.7 million.

Letter re: It's Only Common Sense: Circle the Wagons

I listened with interest to your audio column "It's Only Common Sense: Circle the Wagons." It is clear to me that the many excellent activities of the IPC PCB Presidents Management Council Steering Committee and other IPC Committees are not getting the acknowledgement they deserve.

Orbotech Posts Positive Sales for PCB Equipment in 2Q09

During the second quarter of 2009, certain PCB manufacturers have reported increased fabrication plant utilization--this has had a positive effect on Orbotech's sales of PCB equipment.

It's Time to Train!

It's rough out there, but that's no reason to stop training your staff. "Now is the time to take the time to ensure that the workforce is trained and prepared for when things do improve and we start growing again," says Al Dill, President of Blackfox training institute, which provides IPC training.

Research and Markets Offers "ESD: Circuits and Devices"

Research and Markets has announced the addition of John Wiley and Sons Ltd.'s new report "ESD: Circuits and Devices" to its offerings.

Are You Right, or Dead Right?

Your first technical meeting with a potential customer is not the time to explain that a design is bad or his documentation is incorrect. The customer doesn't want to hear how much you know about circuitry; he wants to assess the way you do business.

2009 HKPCA & IPC Show Offers Incentive; Close Collaboration

With a strong commitment to serving the industry, the 2009 HKPCA & IPC Show has reviewed market conditions and decided to make this year's show better cater to the needs of the electronics industry. A main initiatives is the introduction of special discounts on booth rentals to ease cost concerns of exhibitors.

Basic Impedance Fabrication Guidelines, Part 1

When we talk about signal integrity or impedance lines, there are some very basic guidelines to follow. Remember, impedance mismatches cause signal reflections, which reduce voltage and timing margins.