-
- News
- Books
Featured Books
- design007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current IssueLevel Up Your Design Skills
This month, our contributors discuss the PCB design classes available at IPC APEX EXPO 2024. As they explain, these courses cover everything from the basics of design through avoiding over-constraining high-speed boards, and so much more!
Opportunities and Challenges
In this issue, our expert contributors discuss the many opportunities and challenges in the PCB design community, and what can be done to grow the numbers of PCB designers—and design instructors.
Embedded Design Techniques
Our expert contributors provide the knowledge this month that designers need to be aware of to make intelligent, educated decisions about embedded design. Many design and manufacturing hurdles can trip up designers who are new to this technology.
- Articles
- Columns
Search Console
- Links
- Events
||| MENU - design007 Magazine
Orange Co. Designers Council Meeting Draws A Packed House
September 6, 2016 | Judy Warner, I-Connect007Estimated reading time: 1 minute
On September 1, the Orange County Chapter of the IPC Designers Council filled the beautiful, modern presentation room at Alcon Labs in Irvine, California. (Thanks to Jay Wellman, PCB design supervisor at Alcon).
Speaker John Stine, VP of operations at Summit Interconnect’s Anaheim facility (parent company of KCA Electronics), gave a presentation on flex and rigid-flex design and fabrication. At least 75 electronics professionals listened as Stine, an expert in flex and rigid-flex technologies, discussed proper trace geometries, grounding, cover lay, adhesives, signal integrity, impedance control, book-bindings and much more in his 80-minute presentation.
The constant need to reduce size, weight and power (SWaP) is driving the increased use of flex materials, which are lighter than their rigid counterparts and can be folded (thus reducing the footprint), and flex eliminates the need for heavier cables for interconnects. This is especially applicable for the mil/aero and defense applications for which KCA has been specializing in for many years. Stine also illustrated how layering flex substrates with an internal stiffener can provide a very low-loss solution for high-speed applications (RF/microwave/MMW) in a way that rivals or exceeds the performance found in high speed rigid laminates.
The dialog between Stine and the designers stayed active throughout the lunch-and-learn presentation, and the content appeared to be very practical and immediately applicable to the attendees. Summit Interconnect CEO and President Shane Whiteside was in attendance and generously donated several raffle prizes on behalf of Summit/KCA, which were drawn at the end of the event.
I thoroughly enjoy these Designers Council meetings every time I attend. And a special thanks to Orange County Chapter President Scott McCurdy, who has been a tireless servant of our local design and electronics community. Those of us fortunate enough to live in SoCal continue to reap the benefits of his leadership. I’ll definitely be back to cover the next Designers Council meeting.
Suggested Items
Warm Windows and Streamlined Skin Patches – IDTechEx Explores Flexible and Printed Electronics
04/26/2024 | IDTechExFlexible and printed electronics can be integrated into cars and homes to create modern aesthetics that are beneficial and easy to use. From luminous car controls to food labels that communicate the quality of food, the uses of this technology are endless and can upgrade many areas of everyday life.
Book Excerpt: The Printed Circuit Assembler’s Guide to... Factory Analytics
04/24/2024 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamIn our fast-changing, deeply competitive, and margin-tight industry, factory analytics can be the key to unlocking untapped improvements to guarantee a thriving business. On top of that, electronics manufacturers are facing a tremendous burden to do more with less. If you don't already have a copy of this book, what follows is an excerpt from the introduction chapter of 'The Printed Circuit Assembler’s Guide to... Factory Analytics: Unlocking Efficiency Through Data Insights' to whet your appetite.
Listen Up! The Intricacies of PCB Drilling Detailed in New Podcast Episode
04/25/2024 | I-Connect007In episode 5 of the podcast series, On the Line With: Designing for Reality, Nolan Johnson and Matt Stevenson continue down the manufacturing process, this time focusing on the post-lamination drilling process for PCBs. Matt and Nolan delve into the intricacies of the PCB drilling process, highlighting the importance of hole quality, drill parameters, and design optimization to ensure smooth manufacturing. The conversation covers topics such as drill bit sizes, aspect ratios, vias, challenges in drilling, and ways to enhance efficiency in the drilling department.
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.
Winner of The Science Show Rakett 69 Receives Incap Scholarship
04/24/2024 | IncapThe winner of the Rakett 69 science show, Andri Türkson, who stood out as an electronics enthusiast, received a scholarship from Incap Estonia, along with an internship opportunity in Saaremaa.