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March 16th, 2025
News and Resources for PCB Design, Fab and Assembly Professionals Subscribe •  Advertise •  PCD&F •  Circuits Assembly •  Tell A Friend
THE LEAD

In response to recent US tariffs, Canada has launched an extensive counter-tariff approach, which includes American smartphones, along with video game consoles and audio equipment, including headphones.

For decades, batteries have been the primary energy storage solution, powering everything from consumer electronics to electric vehicles. The key question remains: can supercapacitors replace batteries entirely, or will they serve as complementary storage devices?

TECH NEWS

Recent advances in materials science have opened new possibilities for the fabrication of bioelectronics, devices designed to be worn or implanted in the human body.

Shenmao debuts PF925 SAC+ solder .

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

Chinese robotics firm AgiBot is developing humanoid robots capable of handling everyday tasks, from household chores to retail work, as part of a broader push to integrate artificial intelligence into daily life.

CIRCUITS ASSEMBLY announced the 2025 New Product Introduction (NPI) Award winners for electronics assembly equipment, materials and software.

Micron is reducing DRAM power consumption by employing high-K metal gate CMOS technology paired with design optimizations.

University of Cambridge and the Eindhoven University of Technology researchers have created an organic semiconductor that forces electrons to move in a spiral pattern, which could improve the efficiency of OLED displays in television and smartphone screens, or power next-generation computing technologies such as spintronics and quantum computing.

Registrants for PCB Detroit this June will gain access to several technical sessions and a tabletop exhibition, the Printed Circuit Engineering Association (PCEA) announced.

Registration is open for CIRCUITS ASSEMBLY's annual Service Excellence Awards (SEAs) for EMS providers and electronics assembly equipment, material, service, and software suppliers.

McGill University researchers observed a mysterious electrical effect in ultra-thin bismuth that remains unchanged across a wide temperature range, from near absolute zero (-273°C) to room temperature.

PCB East features the top experts on printed circuit board design, including Rick Hartley, Susy Webb, Dan Beeker, and Stephen Chavez, among others.

Sebastian Schaal of Luminovo discusses supply chain management on the latest Reliablity Matters podcast.

DESIGNER'S NOTEBOOK
Closing the Deal on Concurrent Development
The restaurant industry has a saying, “Time to lean is time to clean.” The gist is that there is never a dull moment while the clock is ticking. Bearing in mind the importance of time, the PCB designer is often faced with the prospect of starting a layout before all the necessary data are on the table.

JOHN BURKHERT JR.

John Burkhert, Jr.





















BUSINESS NEWS

Pegatron plans to build a new US server factory to counter Trump's tariff policy, expanding beyond its Taoyuan base. The company leads in AI server production, boosts capital expenditure, and diversifies into EV components, anticipating steady growth despite economic uncertainties.

Foxconn announced December quarter revenue reached NT$2.13 trillion ($6.5 billion), rising 15% year-over-year.

Centre Testing International Group (CTI) has acquired a 51% stake in Microtek Changzhou, a move aimed at enhancing CTI's service capabilities in the PCB and CCL industries, CTI Taiwan will now offer more comprehensive testing service.

Global server shipment poised to rise on year in 2025, but much weaker than before, says DigiTimes.

Global smartphone production in the December quarter reached 334.5 million units, up 9.2% sequentially, driven by Apple’s peak production season and consumer subsidies from local Chinese governments, TrendForce reported.

A top United Arab Emirates official plans to visit Washington to press for easier access to American technology and discuss investment in the US, Bloomberg News reported.

Viscom named PBT Rožnov distributor in the Czech Republic.

GETTING LEAN
How an Internal Scoring System Drives Continuous Improvement
Lean Six Sigma is a powerful tool for production teams committed to continuous improvement. Viewed as individual activities, however, the overall impact of the improvements it drives may not be obvious.

FILEMON SAGRERO 

Filemon Sagrero






















TECHNICAL ARTICLES


Is the Industry Ready for a Solderless World?
PCD&F/CIRCUITS ASSEMBLY



The Intermediate Barrier Performance of Electroless Co-W-B / Ni-P Stacked Deposits Between Cu and Solder Joint
Journal of Surface Mount Technology



Increasing Opportunities for Component Reuse on Printed Circuit Boards using Deep Learning
International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology

EVENTS

March 18-20: IPC Apex Expo 2025Anaheim, CA
March 26-28: Productronica China 2025Shanghai
March 27: PCEA Portland Chapter MeetingOnline
April 22-24: NEPCON China 2025Shanghai
April 23: PCEA San Diego Chapter MeetingDel Mar, CA
April 23-24: Del Mar Electronics ShowDel Mar, CA
April 24: SMTA Atlanta Expo & Tech ForumAtlanta
April 24: Zuken Tech TourSan Jose
April 29-May 2: PCB EastBoxborough, MA
May 9-June 6: PCEA Training Certified Printed Circuit Designer CourseOnline
June 2-3: PCB DetroitDetroit, MI
June 5: Zuken Tech TourDearborn, MI


 

BOOK-TO-BILLS/MARKET TRENDS
             Jan. Trend
EMS 1.27 Up
ICs 17.9% Up
PCBs 1.24 Up
Component Sales Sentiment 108.5% Up
Changes are year-over-year.    

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ABOUT

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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