JANUARY 2023 I PCB007 MAGAZINE 99
Kirk T. Lockett Sr.,
former president,
owner, and opera-
tor of Intermoun-
tain Circuit Supply,
passed away on
Dec. 7, 2022.
Pete Starkey
talks with Dr.
Vitali Judin,
the new busi-
ness develop-
ment manager
at Rogers, on how the company
is making a splash with new
high frequency materials meant
to address the rapidly evolving
needs of the additive manufac-
turing sector. Rogers determined
that digital light processing (DLP)
3D printing technique brought
the combination of speed and
resolution necessary to make
additive manufacturing reason-
ably scalable, then partnered
with Fortify to bring the process-
ing consistency needed for the
RF industry.
According to GP Ventures' database, the number
of PCB companies in North America is now down
to 170. Just 22 months ago, the number was 199.
Frankly, the actual number of active PCB manufac-
turers in the United States and Canada is proba-
bly closer to 150, but it is hard to keep track of the
smaller shops.
As they struggle to keep delivery
times competitive, manufacturers
are faced with a decision: Do I
invest, or should I delegate? To stay
competitive, a large percentage
of capital must be slated for PCB
manufacturing equipment. This is understandable as that
is where the revenue is generated. Newer equipment
begets higher technology builds and thus, more revenue.
Like everyone else, I have been subjected
to a lot of pointless meetings in my day.
You know what I'm talking about: meetings
where some blowhard pontificates for an
hour, reveling in the sound of his own voice
while the rest of us are stuck there, silently
praying for release.
Cupric chloride (CuCl2), if you recall my column "Etchants of the Industry: Cupric vs. Alkaline," is the
second most used etchant in PCB etching next to alkaline etchant. It holds many benefits such as
simple maintenance, easy wastewater treatment, reduced cost of etching, and efficient regeneration.
For the latest news and information, visit PCB007.com
Rogers: Bringing New
Materials to Light
Dan's Biz Bookshelf: End the Time Sink
With 'Make Meetings Matter'
Testing Todd: Decision Time—
Invest or Delegate?
The Chemical Connection: Cupric Chloride Regeneration Options
Kirk Lockett Sr. of IEC USA
Remembered
Punching Out: When Less Might
Actually Be More
Dr. Vitali Judin
Kirk Lockett Sr.
