A little before 9am this morning, I had a great conversation with a PCB Designer in Ireland while also talking to a designer in Georgia.  No, I wasn’t in Ireland or Georgia, and no it wasn’t over the phone.  Instead we typed back and forth in a private chat, courtesy UP Media’s Virtual PCB show currently underway. Virtual Trade Shows are rising in popularity and I fully expect to see them more often in the future.  But as with anything, there are benefits and drawbacks depending on your role and …

A few weeks ago Morgan and I were doing a client visit, and had set up a table in the cafeteria of a large customer during lunchtime. It was a great opportunity for those who we currently work with to come and say hi, and also for co-workers to have an opportunity to learn about our services. We had a great time, and there was a lot of interest and great dialogue for the three hours we were there.
There was a particular moment, however, which really encouraged me …

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 …

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 …

Last week I had the valuable opportunity to speak at the PCB Atlanta show put on by UP Media in Alpharetta, GA.  The show is designed to serve professionals within the PCB industry by offering technical seminars for further education and by allowing pertinent companies to exhibit in a table-top format.  The show went very well, and I will be writing more about my experience there in the coming few days.
Below is the media portion of my presentation.  It gives a very general outline of the topics I covered and …

I had the opportunity to sit down with Eric Austin, an Electrical Engineer with Skyworks Solutions, Inc this past week.  He is an avid photographer, cyclist, musician  and HAM Radio enthusiast.  We had a great time, and I would love to take a minute or so to tell you a little more about him.  This is the story behind Eric’s Resume.
Eric grew up in Swampscott, MA – 25 minutes or so north of Boston.  As a boy scout he became fascinated with Ham Radios, went on to get licensed, 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 …