Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1190860
DECEMBER 2019 I DESIGN007 MAGAZINE 91 New materials are being introduced regularly, and new processes are being developed that break the barriers of traditional process meth- ods and design rules. This is an exciting time to be involved in the electronics field. Don't be afraid to jump in, ask questions, and even spell phonetically as you learn. FLEX007 Tara Dunn is the president of Omni PCB, a manufacturer's rep firm specializing in the PCB industry. To read past columns or contact Dunn, click here. Popular Science has recognized the Bell Autonomous Pod Transport (APT) 70 with a Best of What's New Award in the Aerospace category for 2019. In 2018, Bell received a Best of What's New Award in the Aerospace category for its Bell V-280 Valor Joint Multi-Role Technology Demon- strator. This continued recognition validates Bell's com- mitment to technology advancement and innovation in the aerospace industry. "The Best of What's New is our celebration of the most impactful and exciting innovations of the year," says Pop- ular Science Editor-in-Chief Joe Brown. "This expertly vet- ted collection lays the groundwork for a healthier, saf- er, and awe-inspiring future—in our homes, cities, outer space, and everywhere in between. We're proud to bring you the Best of What's New 2019." APT 70 is part of the eVTOL family of vehicles Bell is de- veloping, capable of rotation and translation in flight to achieve high speeds and long-range flight. APT's diverse mission capabilities allow it to serve many industries while keeping operations simple, efficient and fast. The vehicle's true multi-copter payload capability with fixed wing speed and endurance enables the customer to save time, going faster, longer. "The team continues to develop innovative technology to meet the transportation needs of the future," said Scott Drennan, vice president, Innovation. "We are honored to be recognized by a leading industry voice like Popular Science, confirm- ing the team's hard work and dedi- cation to advancing technology and expanding the scope of vertical lift." Bell announced the successful first autonomous flight of the APT 70 in August and recently carried 60lb payload with plans to expand to the maximum payload of 70lbs. The Bell team continues to develop technologies and expand the envelope to prepare the vehicle for entry into market. (Source: Bell) Bell Autonomous Pod Transport 70 Wins Popular Science 'Best of What's New in Aerospace' Award ways to implement this technology to solve challenges with complex pinouts, space and weight constraints, and RF performance. This is a topic that I have seen at several industry conferences, and IPC APEX EXPO 2020 will be a very good location to learn more. As I mentioned, the industry is advancing at an incredibly fast pace, and there is always something new to explore. In the past, there was a time where focused learning and being the expert in one specific process provided a sense of pride and accomplishment. Today's electronics require us to be continually learn- ing well outside the scope of our daily work.