Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1062752
DECEMBER 2018 I DESIGN007 MAGAZINE 9 Next, design instructor Susy Webb discusses how she first got involved with the Designers Council, and why she thinks designers should join their local chapter. She also makes some predictions about the role of the group in the future, especially if more engineers begin doing layout. And Orange County Chapter President Scott McCurdy details how he grew the OC chapter into one of the most popular in the U.S. with meetings that draw "rock star" speakers and a roomful of attendees. Columnist Stephen Chavez highlights the work of the San Diego and RTP chapters, and some of the Designers Council events set for the upcoming new year. Also, Altium's Judy Warner explains how she succumbed to years of invitations and finally attended her first Designers Council meeting a few years ago, and why you should attend one near you as well. Speaking of Altium, we also bring you an interview with VP Chris Donato who gives us a preview of the January AltiumLive event in Munich and traces the company's impressive growth over the past five years. Next, veteran engineers Greg Lucas and Jim Howard unveil a potentially revolutionary process—fractal design—which can reduce edge noise on a PCB and costs absolutely nothing to imple- ment. You'll also want to read our interview with them. We also have columns from our regular contributors Barry Olney, Vern Solberg, John Coonrod, Alistair Little, and Bob Tise and Dave Baker. Our December issue wouldn't be complete without our special pre-show coverage of IPC APEX EXPO scheduled for January 29–31, 2019, at the San Diego Convention Center. Check it out. There's a lot going on at this show. I can't believe another year has gone by, and I still don't have a flying car. Maybe next year! Have a great holiday, and I'll see you in 2019. DESIGN007 Andy Shaughnessy is managing editor of Design007 Magazine. He has been covering PCB design for 18 years. He can be reached by clicking here. every day. If you live near a Designers Coun- cil chapter, make it a point to attend the next meeting. There's a small fee to cover the cost of lunch, but you might learn something that helps you design your next board. No, the DC isn't perfect. After all, it's made up of PCB designers! I'm kidding. In fact, bash- ing the Designers Council is almost a sport for some designers. But if you want to affect any sort of change, don't just talk smack about the group; get involved! And if you're not located near a DC chapter, why not start your own chapter? Our new columnist Stephen Chavez is a Designers Council Executive Board mem- ber, and he'd be happy to help you launch a chapter in your area. Best of all, you don't have to be a designer or EE. Anyone who wants to know more about PCB design is welcome to join or attend DC meetings. As we found with our first feature inter- view, one DC chapter has actually developed its own trade show. During PCB Carolina, I interviewed show managers Randy Faucette, Tony Cosentino, and Lance Olive. They dis- cuss how this show grew out of the RTP Designers Council chapter in Raleigh, and they track the show's growth over the years from a small meeting in a conference room to a show that now draws 80 exhibitors and 1,000 attendees. PCB Carolina 2018 exhibition was held in Raleigh, North Carolina.