Two weeks from now, in the heart of the Silicon Valley, many of the top design firms and printed circuit board professionals will be attending DesignCon 2010.  Held at the Santa Clara Convention Center from February 1st-4th, this show promises to be a very valuable event for many.  Already the line-up of exhibitors is impressive, with exhibitors ranging from small consulting firms such as The Bogatin Group, to large, multi-national companies like Tyco Electronics.   See the full list here.
I have spoken with several individuals in the last few weeks …

As the keys begin to stick on my Samsung Blackjack II, and I think about how the navigation wheel used to spin freely, I remember the days of my Siemens M56.  That little phone was built like a tiny brick, and it withstood the harshest abuse.  Whether we were swimming in saltwater or it was falling off the top of my moving car, my little phone never complained, remained tough, and always worked.  It was a sad day when, after three and a half years, I had to “upgrade” to …

It has been interesting to read both the 2009 “end of the year recaps” and the 2010 predictions for the printed circuit board (PCB) industry as we have drawn close to the New Year.  Most have been quite comprehensive and informative, yet I hope to add value by also providing some impressions, critiques and praises.  Many refer to me as the fresh, young kid… and so it is my hope that I can provide a unique and valuable perspective.
The year 2009 has been an intense crash-course and immersion into the …

U.S. Consulates Help IPC APEX EXPO Exhibitors Reach Across Oceans and Borders to Develop Business and Partnerships

BANNOCKBURN, Ill., USA, December 18, 2009 — The U.S. Department of Commerce has chosen IPC APEX EXPOTM as one of a select group of U.S. trade shows to participate in its International Buyer Program (IBP) for 2010. The event, produced by IPC — Association Connecting Electronics Industries®, was chosen by a vote of U.S. embassies, consulates and commercial centers worldwide. One measure was the show’s appeal to overseas visitors. …

Within one of the presentations last week at the IPC Technology Interchange in Washington D.C., the question was raised of whether printed circuit board technology will reach a plateau or whether it will continue to keep pace with the technological demands and innovations to come.  Restated, the question could be:  as trace widths get smaller, nanotechnology improves, and demand for greater performance continues to increase – when/where/will PCB technology hit a plateau?
This is a complex question with a large number of factors.  One focus of the discussion could be on …

Do you think you have what it takes to make a mark in the field of Printed Circuit Board (PCB) design?  For the engineering minded and artistically oriented, PCB design is a fascinating field where you can achieve both financial success and fulfillment in doing something that you love.  Whether you’re just dipping your toes for the first time, or you are a seasoned veteran; I hope to provide some insight and encouragement.  A few accomplished men were gracious enough to speak with me and share their thoughts, stories, and …

The printed circuit board (PCB) industry is vital to manufacturers of computing components, automotive parts, cellular phones, flat-screen television displays and other devices considered essential to our modern lifestyles.
In addition to a large number of PCB enterprises in Taiwan, many PCB operations are located in Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Guangdong provinces.
Among them are leading PCB makers earning hundreds of millions of dollars in annual revenues and employing thousands of workers.
They also spend huge sums on environmental protection, including the disposal of manufacturing wastes from production processes and everyday operations.
The major pollution …

It’s no secret that advertisers have been bombarding the public with provocative ads for years in an attempt to grab the consumer’s attention for just a moment more.  Ford, Proctor and Gamble, Axe, GoDaddy, etc; they have all run campaigns that have pushed the limits, and in most cases, been exceedingly successful.
But would Sex Appeal increase Circuit Board sales??  There are a variety of angles (or curves) that you have to consider.  I welcome you to join the debate in the comments section of this article.  We’re very interested in …

HotPCB is being represented at the Cirexx Booth (2246) at IMS 2009.  Be sure to stop by!  We would love to meet with you and explore content creation partnerships, meet designers who wish to be featured, and learn more about what’s going on in the industry.
Liam’s Cell: (413) 824-1987
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Just as a boy becomes a man when he picks up his first BB Gun, so too have I entered the EMS Industry with the arrival of my first trade magazine addressed to my name.  Of course, I live by the motto of “go big or go home” and so it was only fitting that two would arrive, and that they would be the extent of today’s mail.
A little over a  month ago I applied for membership with IEEE and joined a variety of societies pertaining to my line of …