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June 13th, 2025
News and Resources for PCB Design, Fab and Assembly Professionals Subscribe •  Advertise •  PCD&F •  Circuits Assembly •  Tell A Friend
THE LEAD

A Nintendo Switch 2 teardown reveals modest improvements such as more powerful GPU as well as a larger fan, but continues to draw criticism for poor repairability, including glued batteries.

US and China have reportedly reached a new trade deal that raises tariffs on Chinese imports to a proposed 55 percent from 30 percent, potentially increasing electronics prices.

TECH NEWS

An OrCAD X Live BOM webinar set for June 18 will address late-stage BOM issues and smarter design practices. Registration is open now for the 45-minute session.

PCEA has announced the technical program for PCB West 2025, featuring over 125 hours of training and more than 50 sessions, including 30 classes new to the industry-leading tech conference.

Rice University students won a global design contest for a wearable haptic wristband featuring a self-contained PCB system. The device integrates motor control, sensors and feedback modules.

Fresh Start and Benchmark have launched a training program for women looking to enter advanced manufacturing careers.

Sayaka releases SAM-CT34XZ router/depaneler.

Zasche Handling launches Smart Handling Big Bin Picking System.

Techcon launches Side-by-Side Dispensing Cartridge Line.

Kyocera AVX offers Chip Antennas for SiP applications.

Frank Mullaney and Emma Hudson share some of iNEMI’s ongoing projects, including new content on PCB test methods, solders, and laminates on the PCB Chat podcast.

Tom Britton and Nataliia Matsiuk of Jefferson Lab join Geoffrey Hazelett of FreedomCAD, Matt Leary of Newgrange Design and Mike Buetow of PCEA to share work on a Department of Energy program that pair scientists with real-world industry problems.

Looking for networking opportunities? Join the PCEA Discord server, bringing together engineers and designers from around the world on a private channel for discussing technical questions and career opportunities.

MATERIAL GAINS
Lateral Thinking and Simplicity Can Power Our Quest for Decarbonization
As global trading and economic power dominate the news, it's essential to consider the significance of the world’s electric vehicle markets in these developments. Western and Japanese car manufacturers are realizing that China has a huge lead in electric vehicle technology and a large, receptive domestic market that fuels the success of its local brands.

ALUN MORGAN

Alun Morgan





















BUSINESS NEWS

Memory manufacturers are reducing production capacity for older processes, driving DDR4 prices to skyrocket.

NCAB completed the acquisition of B&B Leiterplattenservice to expand its European footprint.

Amber Enterprises will invest in a large-scale electronics and appliance manufacturing facility near Noida International Airport in India.

ABI Research outlines shifting tech forecasts in new whitepaper analyzing the global impact of escalating tariffs. The report compares original projections with updated scenarios to help companies navigate ongoing trade uncertainty.

Pegatron ranks lowest among Apple suppliers in Greenpeace report on renewable energy progress.

Kaynes Semicon signs asset deal with Fujitsu Electronics to acquire power module production lines.

Ventec has launched a North American partnership for further fulfillment, conversion and distribution of PCB base materials.

Orbic Electronics broke ground on a 110M facility in New York to reshore production from Asia.

Starteam Global installed digital inkjet solder mask printing at its new Flero factory in Italy.

ATG Luther Maelzer opened an office and manufacturing facility in Wertheim, Germany.

Ventec establishes European stock of halogen-free FR4.1 and FR15.1 materials to support PCB makers amid shifting EMEA supply chains.

Indium promoted Wisdom Qu and Kevin Brennan to senior roles focused on PCB assembly innovation and product development.

BEST PRACTICES
Eliminating Silos in Electronic Systems Design
The PCB design team gathers in the conference room for its weekly project review, but the atmosphere is tense and somber. Everyone feels the pressure as they realize the project is not meeting the planned timelines.

STEPHEN CHAVEZ

Mike Buetow






















TECHNICAL ARTICLES


AI in Electronics Manufacturing: What’s Working Now, What’s Not (But Should Be)
PCD&F/CIRCUITS ASSEMBLY



Fabrication of Industrial Grade F/g-C3N4 Reinforced Banana Natural Fiber Sustainable PCB Substrates
Science Reports



Directly Printed Standing Ceramic Circuit Boards for Rapid Prototyping of Miniaturization and High-Power of Electronics
Nature Communications

EVENTS

June 18: Eliminate Late Stage BOM Issues – Design Smarter from the StartOnline
June 23-July 21: PCEA Training Certified Printed Circuit Designer CourseOnline
Aug. 4-Sept. 2: PCEA Training Certified Printed Circuit Designer CourseOnline
Sept. 12-Oct. 17: PCEA Training Certified Printed Circuit Designer CourseOnline
Sept. 30-Oct. 2: PCB WestSanta Clara, CA
Oct. 28-30: CPCA Show PlusShanghai
Nov. 3-Dec. 1: PCEA Training Certified Printed Circuit Designer CourseOnline
Dec. 3-5: HKPCA ShowShenzhen


 

BOOK-TO-BILLS/MARKET TRENDS
             Apr. Trend
EMS 1.41 Up
ICs 22.7% Up
PCBs 1.21 Down
Component Sales Sentiment 112.5 Down
Changes are year-over-year.    

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PCB Update is a digital newsletter for PCB design, fabrication and assembly professionals, brought to you by Printed Circuit Engineering Association™. E-mail industry press releases or links to the editors of CIRCUITS ASSEMBLY or PCD&F: pr@pcea.net.


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