|
|
“Groovy!” Is Back—This Time As New Trace Geometry for PWBs
Yes, the word groovy may bring a smile of recognition to those of us old enough to remember this once over-used word, a substitute for okay or cool. So groovy just had to pop into mind when I noted with great interest a paper on grooved circuits authored by three companies and given by Amkor’s Ron Huemoeller at the annual Pan Pacific conference in Hawaii in late January. The title was “Unveiling the Next Generation in Substrate Technology.”
by George Gregoire
|
|
Observations From DesignCon 2007
The DesignCon 2007 Conference and Expo wrapped up Thursday, February 1, following four days of technical sessions and exhibits at the Santa Clara Convention Center, Santa Clara, Calif. The International Engineering Consortium (www.iec.org) organizes this event, and although it is not the group’s only DesignCon event, it is the largest, in part due to its location in the heart of “high-tech country.”
by Karl Dietz
|
|
 | The Korean Shuffle: KPCAshow 2006 in Review
In a region of the world where China and Japan get most of the attention, Korea’s electronics industry has quietly produced some of the world’s largest PCB fabricators. But can they diversify beyond the mobile phone market?
by Roy Sakelson
|
|
 | Environmentally Speaking
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is flexing its muscle in pursuit of stronger criminal enforcement of corporate environmental violations.
by Fern Abrams
|
|
CPCA Show 2006 Staves Off Competitors
Prior to CPCA Show 2006 in Shanghai, many industry observers wondered whether or not the show would succeed. With low-cost competition from a Suzhou exhibition in April, a Messe München-run electronics show running simultaneously in Pudong, exhibitors grumbling about high costs, and several notable exhibitors choosing not to participate, there was cause to speculate.
|
|
KPCAshow 2006: A Preview
The Korean Printed Circuit Association (KPCA) is hosting its fourth annual KPCAshow this year on April 25-27, 2006 at COEX in Seoul, Korea.
|
|
EPA to Propose Cost Saving Rule on PCB Sludge Disposal
Electroplating sludge disposal is, more often than not, the number one environmental cost for PCB manufacturers and other manufacturing industries that conduct electroplating. The U.S. EPA has publicly committed to proposing a rule that could greatly lower the cost of sludge disposal by exempting it from Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Hazardous Waste Regulations.
by Fern Abrams
|
|
 | The Cost of Compliance: A Case Study
Being first to produce environmentally-friendly electronics products that meet challenging standards for European RoHS compliance is the mission of Portland, Oregon’s Electronic Controls Design, Inc. (ECD), Sunstone Circuits and MEC Northwest. The trio -- a circuit board manufacturer, an instrumentation tools manufacturer and a contract assembly manufacturer -– are working feverishly to beat the competition before the July ’06 European compliance date.
By Linda Barney and Jack Rubinger
|
|
Pioneer Circuits: For the Defense
This southern-California PCB fabricator has made its living by building boards for some of the most sophisticated space and military applications on the planet.
Fred Friedman
|
|
Printed Circuit Board Asset & Wealth Recovery
Presently, most companies that remove and refurbish chips do their work by hand. The DePop is an efficient process of depopulating a printed wire board for chip removal and precious metal recovery.
James R Moltion
|
|
EIPC Technology Trip to China Enables Partnerships
Based on members’ input, EIPC organized a technology excursion. Nineteen participants traveled to Shanghai in March to visit the China Printed Circuit Association (CPCA) show. In addition, the group visited eight PCB fabricators in the area of Shanghai and Suzhou.
Michael Weinhold
|
|
InterNepcon Japan: In Many, One
Exhibitors from six industry segments gathered under one roof this year to display their wares at one of Japan’s premiere electronics shows. Lead-free and flexible circuit technology are still the hot topics—but will the fabricators live up to the hype?
Dominique Numakura
|
|
Is Your WASTE Too Big?
The new Dr. Matkin’s approach to trimming the fat out of your Sales Department
Barry Matties
|
|
‘Is This Industry Really Necessary?’
The National Academies organized one of its investigative programs to separate fact from fiction before a committee of unbiased experts regarding the state of the U.S. printed circuit board industry. An insider’s look at what was discussed, and the action that must be taken to defend America’s electronics industry.
Harvey Miller
|
|
 | Value Selling—Lou DeRose
This improving business environment is providing a real opportunity for fabricators to think positively and act proactively to improve their fortunes.
by Louis De Rose
|
|
 | Value Selling -- Lou DeRose
In my last column I quoted the Austrian philosopher, Ludwig Wittgenstein, who said: “He who controls vocabulary, controls thought”. I believe that implicit in this pearl of wisdom is a further gem. That is: “He who controls thought, controls action.”
by Louis De Rose
|
|
EPC Show 2004: A Matter of Perspective
The EPC Show 2004, which concluded after three days at the Köln Messe, proved to be a time for regrouping for most involved. While a quality conference program was complemented by relatively small exhibition and a renewal of old relationships, how good the show was depended on whom you asked.
Pete Starkey and Steve Gold
|
|
 | Value Selling—Lou DeRose
The philosopher Wittgenstein said, “He who controls vocabulary, controls thought.” Perceptions are thoughts, and you influence your customer’s thoughts through the words and phrases you use. If you believe that low price and value are not the same thing, then you must structure the vocabulary you use to demonstrate the difference.
by Louis De Rose
|
|
Exploring New Markets Through Regional Fairs
Messe München International has learned that by breaking up its trade shows into regions allows for optimum market proximity at the global and regional levels. These regional fairs create a unique networking opportunity for companies all around the world to grow their business in a new market.
Joe McGehee
|
|
 | Sense or Nonsense
All batches of printed circuit boards in progress are processed in the same timescale as fast turnaround. So why are you charging premiums for some orders and not for others?
Harold Marshall
|
|
 | Value Selling -- Lou DeRose
The cyclical nature of the electronics industry is inevitable. But when it comes to bearing the burden of inventory in the supply chain, there are three important steps PCB manufacturers can take to reduce the consequences of this fallout.
by Louis De Rose
|
|
Exiting Gracefully—Dana Barfield
Someone must have the money to purchase your business. Since you probably have no idea far in advance if an outsider, a family member or an employee will be the best option to take over your company, and since having options open to you when you do exit will enhance your negotiating position, you want to keep all options open for as long as you can. If there is even the slightest possibility that you’ll want family to take over or employees to purchase, this is a critical issue, because, generally the lack of capital prevents family and employees from taking over the business without you making a “gift” to them.
|
|
 | Value Selling—Lou DeRose
After the devastating experience of the past few years, where price was the principal buying concern, it will be difficult to adapt to a different mind-set. In our economic system, cycles are a built-in phenomenon. We’re coming out of the down-leg of one cycle, and entering a new one. Recognize that fact and manage your resources to grow in the coming up-leg of the new cycle.
|
|
Exiting Gracefully
With so many decisions to be made when running your business why should you start planning for retirement now? The answers may surprise you.
by Dana Barfield
|
|
 | Value Selling -- Lou DeRose
The simplistic notion that “a rising tide will lift all boats” demonstrates the myopic attitudes too common among PWB fabricators.
by Louis De Rose
|
|
 | Value Selling -- Lou DeRose
The time is now for PWB manufacturers to forge stronger technology and distribution partnerships.
by Louis De Rose
|
|
|
Login
