An AI-powered humanoid robot is walking, thinking and proving that PCB design and mechanical engineering are becoming inseparable. Manufacturers are opening new facilities and expanding production to meet growing electronics demand worldwide.

Robros used Autodesk Fusion to develop its AI-powered Igris humanoid robot, leveraging integrated 3-D modeling, simulation, generative design and PCB development to accelerate engineering and improve performance.

PCEA announced a dedicated electronics assembly program for PCB West 2026, featuring 10 technical sessions on solder paste, placement, reflow, stencil design and cleaning.

The Test Connection supported Capitol Technology University's AI-enabled ODIN payload, which successfully launched aboard NASA's RockSat mission from Wallops Flight Facility in June.

The July edition of PCD&F/CIRCUITS ASSEMBLY is now available, featuring expert insights on breaking the 100GHz bandwidth barrier, selective UHDI, validating PCB backdrilling, reducing NRE costs, supply chain resilience, lean manufacturing, mentorship, and more.

ViTrox, ASMPT and Hitronix showcased AI-driven SMT inspection, automation and closed-loop process control technologies during a manufacturing seminar in Campinas, Brazil.

Seika Machinery will host a July 8 webinar comparing PCB depaneling methods, including low-stress PCB slicing techniques and their impact on board quality, component reliability and manufacturing consistency.

Göpel Electronic releases MagicCAR compact plus desktop test platform.

Registration is open for PCB West 2026, which will feature more than 120 hours of PCB design and assembly training this September in Santa Clara.

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.

MKS Atotech will invest $25M to expand its Guangzhou equipment manufacturing facility, doubling production capacity by the fourth quarter of 2027.

Kimball Electronics acquired Helvoet Polymer Technologies, a contract development and manufacturing company based in Europe and with operations in India focused on microfluidics, diagnostics, and drug delivery.

Firan Technology Group opened a new aerospace manufacturing facility in Hyderabad, India.

Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo have reportedly reduced their year smartphone shipment targets again, with some cutting forecasts by as much as 30 percent amid rising costs and ongoing component shortages.

Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix are planning hundreds of billions of dollars in semiconductor investments to expand AI chip production in South Korea, raising concerns among analysts about potential overcapacity if AI demand slows.

South Korea unveiled a $576B investment planto expand AI semiconductor manufacturing, with Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix leading construction of four new fabrication plants and a chip packaging cluster

Dymax opened a distribution and technical center in Querétaro, Mexico.

Datalink Electronics installed a Kolb PSE LH5 Cleaner.

Pillarhouse USA named BarTron Inc. manufacturers' representative in Indiana.

Millennium Circuits promoted Colin Warren to director of quality following the retirement of John Waite.

MRS appointed Peter Andries as a business leader for its die bonding operations.

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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.