38 DESIGN007 MAGAZINE I FEBRUARY 2019
Better to Light a Candle: Chapter One—
Prepping the Next Generation E
There has been a considerable amount of (elec-
tronic) ink and words shared in our industry
bemoaning the graying-out of our industry and
the growing shortage of skilled people at all
levels. (See the May 2017 PCB007 Magazine
column "Help Wanted—and How!" for just
one example). As is usually the case, though,
when all is said and done, more has been said
than done.
Itronics Starts R&D to Recover Tin and
Copper from Its "Breakthrough Technology"
PCB Refining Pilot Plant E
Itronics Inc., a "creative green technology com-
pany" that produces GOLD'n GRO fertiliz-
ers and silver products, has started research
and development to recover tin and copper
from the silver bullion being produced by its
"breakthrough technology" PCB refining pilot
plant.
It's Only Common Sense: A Word From
the Future—CES 2019 E
If only we could invent something that would
stop hunger and poverty, give us world
peace, or stop us from being so angry with
each other all the time—something we des-
perately need and could use right now. That
would be something, wouldn't it? It's only
common sense.
CES 2019: More Show Floor Favorites E
This final piece covering CES 2019 reviews
more automotive technology, updates on 3D
printing, and some trending devices such as
smartwatches and new computer components
for those that either need or just want to have
extremely powerful and impressive-looking
computers.
ESI's Chris Ryder: There's More to Choosing
a Laser Than You Think E
At the recent HKPCA show, Barry Matties sat
down with ESI's Chris Ryder, director of prod-
uct management—HDI—to discuss consider-
ations for choosing a new laser system, and
how ESI uses its decades of flex and rigid-flex
drilling experience to help guide customers in
their decision-making process.
Standard of Excellence: Keep Your PCB
Supplier Sharp E
The best way to create a solid and productive
partnership with your PCB supplier—and all
of your suppliers for that matter—is to keep
an open line of communication with them. No
matter what kind of relationship you currently
have with your suppliers, you can never com-
municate enough. Let them know at all times
what you need from them.
Flex Time: Pointers for Your First
Rigid-Flex Design E
If you are new to rigid-flex designs—or have
never done a rigid-flex PWB layout—you
might wonder how it is similar to and differ-
ent from hardboard design. In this column, I'll
address critical items you need to know to suc-
cessfully create a stable and robust rigid-flex
design.
Mr. Laminate Tells All:
Good Morning, Vietnam! E
Many electronics-based OEMs and their supply
chains are looking for China alternatives in the
current economic and political landscape. Of
all the remaining locations possible in South-
east Asia, Vietnam is coming to the forefront
as a viable choice for successful export manu-
facturing. Every day, we see evidence of large
OEMs shifting their focus to Vietnam.
