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Current IssueBreaking High-speed Material Constraints
Do you need specialty materials for your high-speed designs? Maybe not. Improvements in resins mean designers of high-speed boards can sometimes use traditional laminate systems. Learn more in this issue.
Level 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!
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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.
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Elevating PCB Design Engineering With IPC Programs
April 24, 2024 | Cory Blaylock, IPCEstimated reading time: 1 minute
In 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.
At the heart of this journey is IPC's unwavering commitment to developing National Program Standards that cater to the intricate needs of electronics manufacturing, emphasizing the importance of a highly trained workforce. The approval of the PCB design engineer occupation by the U.S. DOL is a testament to the collective vision and relentless efforts of countless individuals within the IPC community as well as the industry, which believes in the power of education, training, and standardization.
The PCB design engineer role is foundational to the electronics manufacturing value stream, serving as the linchpin that transforms innovative ideas into tangible, functioning technologies. These engineers are tasked with the intricate design of PCBs, which serve as the backbone for nearly all electronic devices. Their work supports not just the creation of new products but also the enhancement of existing technologies, ensuring they meet the ever-evolving demands of consumers and industries alike.
Recognizing the PCB design engineer as a distinct occupation highlights the specialized skill set these professionals bring to the table. It acknowledges the complexity of their work, which requires a deep understanding of electrical engineering principles, proficiency in design software, and an acute awareness of manufacturing processes and constraints. More importantly, it shines a light on the critical need for tailored training and education programs that can prepare individuals for success in this challenging and rewarding field.
To read this entire article, which appeared in the April 2024 issue of Design007 Magazine, click here.
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IPC APEX EXPO: Some Thoughts About Growth
05/16/2024 | Dan Feinberg, I-Connect007After two and a half days of wandering the aisles at IPC APEX EXPO 2024, for the first time, I almost felt like I was exploring CES. There were so many booths and exhibits that I could describe, but I’d like to focus on the growth and huge value of this event, which has expanded well beyond just the growing and impressive exhibit show floor.
Airbus Achieves Eurodrone’s Preliminary Design Review
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A Review of the 2024 Del Mar Electronics and Manufacturing Show
05/16/2024 | Barry Matties, I-Connect007The Del Mar Electronics and Manufacturing Show (DMEMS) in Del Mar, California, recently took place at an unlikely venue: the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Doug Bodenstab, founder and show organizer, says the show covers everything in electronics manufacturing: design tools, components, base materials, training, testing, board fabrication, AI, data analytics, and more. While you can find about anything online these days, Bodenstab adds that there is no substitute for meeting people in person.
TactoTek Licenses IMSE Technology to Polestar for Sustainable Electronics Design Innovation
05/15/2024 | TactoTekPolestar, the Swedish electric performance car brand, and Finnish smart surface pioneer TactoTek, have entered a collaboration to explore integration of Injection Molded Structural Electronics (IMSE) technology into Polestar’s vehicle programs.
The Shaughnessy Report: Unlock Your High-speed Material Constraints
05/15/2024 | Andy Shaughnessy -- Column: The Shaughnessy ReportThe world of PCB materials used to be a fairly simple one. It was divided into two groups: the “traditional” laminates, often called FR-4, and the high-speed laminates developed especially for high-speed PCBs. These were two worlds that usually didn’t collide. But then traditional laminates started getting better, and high-speed designers and design engineers took notice and started to reconsider what FR-4 could be used for.