Five essentials of the week

“May you live in interesting times.” – Ancient Chinese Curse

It sure seems like our time is still going to be interesting, doesn’t it? How many different flavors of supply chain disruption can we offer? The investment on the supply side must increase, but the size of the labor force must increase further, if we are to accomplish the construction task itself, let alone manage the facilities well.

Emerging areas of technology – I’m thinking specifically of AI right now – will create entirely new industries for hardware, infrastructure, data collection, storage, analytics, and application. Jobs in these spaces will attract a large number of talented workers, which will create an even bigger vacuum in the manufacturing sector, even as the AI ​​industry strives to automate this industry. The dynamic is certainly interesting.

This week’s theme for our must-reads is, broadly speaking, investing in a more local supply chain, government outreach, research and development, and our young people who care about technology. The best answer to the Chinese curse, in my opinion? Make the world even more interesting than you found it.

IPC Releases PCB Industry Results for March 2022
Posted April 22

IPC reports that March year-to-date PCB bookings are down 25.9%. Compared to February 2022, reservations in March fell by 1.3%. March shipments, however, were up. Click on the article for more details.

The FIRST program inspires the next generation of innovators
Posted April 22

Today’s students grow up immersed in a world of technology, but how many of them actually see themselves pursuing careers that advance this science? Barry Matties talks to Adrienne Collins, Director of Programs at FIRST Washington, about the success of a robotics student program that fosters innovation, builds problem-solving skills, and cultivates a concept most of us don’t have never heard of: graceful professionalism. When you see the interplay of these skills in action, you are blown away. There is a bright future ahead of us.

Call for papers for IPC APEX EXPO 2023
Posted April 25

The Technical Program Committee (TPC) of IPC APEX EXPO invites engineers, researchers, academics, technical experts and industry leaders to submit technical conference abstracts for IPC APEX EXPO 2023. abstracts of technical conference papers and posters are due Monday, June 20, 2022. Read the article here for more details.

TTM inaugurates its first manufacturing facility in Penang, Malaysia
Posted April 25

TTM Technologies, Inc., one of the world’s leading manufacturers of printed circuit boards (PCBs), radio frequency (RF) components and RF microwave/microelectronics assemblies, held its groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate its new manufacturing facility in Penang, Malaysia. The proposed capital investment for this plant is $130 million through 2025. Read more about what this means for TTM and its customers here.

PCBAA Member Profile: Davy Nakada, Rogers Corporation
Posted April 25

In this short interview, Davy Nakada, Principal at Rogers Corporation, explains why the PCBAA (Printed Circuit Board Association of America) is coming at the right time. See what Nakada has to say here.