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

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Next week, we’ll be in San Diego. In fact, I fly down tomorrow morning to start preparations, along with most of the I-Connect007 team. The weather forecast says to expect sunny, with the occasional cloud, all week, with daytime temperatures around 70 degrees. That’ll be nice, as I’m sure COVID-related social distancing guidelines will encourage us to socialize outside as much as is feasible.

Don’t get me wrong, the team is very excited to be covering the IPC APEX EXPO week in-person. We’ll be practicing our exposure minimization and proper social distancing as best as we can, however. We will also be covering the virtual AltiumLive event, which overlaps with IPC APEX EXPO. Expect to see Andy Shaughnessy and other I-Connect007 faces reporting on both events next week.

Andy and I have been creating these must-read lists since June of 2020, five months after the last in-person IPC APEX EXPO—yes, it’s been that long! So, this is the first of our five must-reads covering the lead-up week to a physical show. No surprise then that reader interest has been somewhat APEX- and AltiumLive-centric this week. Here are the top five standouts from a busy, busy week of news.

Best Technical Papers at IPC APEX EXPO 2022 Selected 
Published January 14

In the article, IPC Chief Technologist, Matt Kelly, says, ““The [Technical Program Committee] is absolutely focused on providing highest quality content to the technical conference. This commitment to quality is reflected in this year's selection of Best of Conference, NextGen, and Best Student Research papers. We extend our congratulations to all the award winners." Click through to see who those award recipients are.

Booming Semiconductors: AT&S Shaping Coming Data Revolution 
Published January 17

This news piece updates readers on what AT&S presented for latest latest developments in the field of IC substrates at the Consumer Electronics Show CES in Las Vegas. Substrates are key to the semiconductor chips that get placed on the printed circuit boards; keeping up on the latest in semiconductor substrates just makes sense.

Real Time with… IPC APEX EXPO: Siemens’ Supply Chain Solutions 
Published January 17

I-Connect007 speaks with Oren Manor of Siemens Digital Industries Software about the company’s booth at IPC APEX EXPO, which will highlight a DSI platform meant to help designers find and use components in their designs during these tough supply chain challenges.

Mycronic to Demonstrate Enhanced Process Control Solutions for Flexible PCB Assembly at IPC APEX EXPO
Published January 19, 2022

From the press release, “Mycronic will continue to demonstrate the benefits of the flexible factory at IPC APEX EXPO in San Diego, January 25-27, 2022. In addition to the latest in integrated SMT assembly solutions, advanced jet printing technology, dispensing and material handling solutions, the company will highlight recent advances in 3D inspection technologies, process analysis tools and process control software.” Click through to read more.

MacDermid Alpha’s Electrolube to Present Two Keynotes on Resins and Coatings at IPC APEX EXPO 
Published January 20

Phil Kinner, global business and technical director for Electrolube’s Coatings Division, and Beth Turner, Electrolube’s senior technical manager, will both present papers at the event. Kinner’s is titled “Conformal Coatings: State of the Industry Versus State of the Art,” and Turner’s is titled “Bio-based Encapsulation Resins: Good for the Environment, Good for Your Environment.” Click through for more details.

03/31/2023 | Patty Goldman, I-Connect007

Stanton Rak, principal at SF Rak Company, discusses his new IPC President's Award. He says a successful leader must demonstrate passion for what they do, and that working in an IPC leadership role requires a unique approach to collaboration. IPC’s diverse membership means leaders must cultivate patience and be open to relying on the expertise of their fellow professionals.

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.