52 The PCB Design Magazine • July 2016
Institute of Circuit Technology Annual
Symposium
On June 1, Technical Director Bill Wilkie introduced
the 42nd Annual Symposium of the Institute of Cir-
cuit Technology, at the Motorcycle Museum in Bir-
mingham, UK, commenting upon the success of
the recent Foundation Course and acknowledging
the sterling efforts of his course tutors, although
recognising that some of his longest-standing ex-
perts were now retiring.
It's Only Common Sense: Elevate the
Conversation to get Closer to your
Customers
So we all think we are doing a pretty good job get-
ting to know our customers, right? We think be-
cause we know what market they are in and what
they build, and have some sort of idea of what
they need we are in pretty good shape, right?
All About Flex: Flexible Circuit
Fabrication and Cleanroom
Manufacturing
Facility cleanliness is a vital part of process control
for flexible circuit fabricators. As higher density re-
quirements continue a relentless drive toward fin-
er traces and spaces, particles and foreign material
can cause problems in a number of operations.
Standard of Excellence: LED and Metal-
Backed Technology—Today and in the
Future
Probably one of the hottest, or should I say coolest,
technologies today is LED. I would also venture to
say it is one of the fastest growing as well. All you
have to do is look around you can see evidence of
this everywhere from holiday lights in your home
and Jumbotrons at sports arenas, to highway and
business signage. The lighting industry is now
dominated by LED technology.
Flexible Electronics Market to Reach
$87.2 Billion by 2024
The global flexible electronics market was $20.85
billion in 2015, which is estimated to reach $87.2
billion by 2024, according to a new report by
Grand View Research, Inc.
Weiner's World
Gen Consulting Company (GCC) has issued the
Radiant Insights report "Global HDI Printed Circuit
Board Market Forecast and Analysis 2016–2021."
The report provides a detailed analysis of world-
wide markets for HDI printed circuit boards from
2011–2016, and provides market forecasts for
2016–2021 by region/country and subsectors.
EIPC Summer Conference 2016, Day 2:
Strategies to Maintain Profitability in
the European PCB Industry
Delegates awoke to a gloomy Scottish morning on
the second day of the EIPC Summer Conference
2016. One or two who maybe overindulged in the
whisky on the previous evening had some difficulty
in finding time for breakfast before the conference
proceedings, but the atmosphere in the meeting
room was brighter than the weather outside, as
Professor Martin Goosey introduced the day's pro-
gramme.
Graphic PLC…Are the Rumors True?
During a visit to Europe recently, I-Connect007's
Barry Matties met with Rex Rozario to get to the
bottom of the rumors and speculation regarding
the sale of his company, Graphic PLC.
Happy's Essential Skills: Learning Theory/
Learning Curves
Learning is not instantaneous. Nor is progress
made in a steady manner, but at a rate that is typi-
fied by one of two basic patterns. In some cases,
plateaus will be seen in learning curves. These are
caused by factors such as fatigue, poor motivation,
loss of interest, or needing time to absorb all the
material before progressing to new.
EIPC Summer Conference 2016, Day 1:
Strategies to Maintain Profitability in
the European PCB Industry
Resplendent in the kilt, EIPC chairman Alun Mor-
gan welcomed a large and enthusiastic gathering
of printed circuit professionals from all over Europe
and as far afield as the USA, Canada and Russia, to
the EIPC Summer Conference 2016 in Edinburgh,
Scotland's cosmopolitan capital city.
PCB007
Highlights
