Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1493016
132 I-CONNECT007 I REAL TIME WITH... IPC APEX EXPO 2023 SHOW & TELL MAGAZINE our social habits. Emily Calandrelli's keynote addressed such timely subject matters, namely diversity and inclusion in the space program. IPC hosts a newcomers reception, as well as a Women in Electronics event that facilitate inclusiveness among a group tradi- tionally under-represented in the industry. The ice cream social on the show floor seeks to foster industry stakeholder fellowship. Bonus: If you happen to be in the right spot during the social, you may catch some clas- sic rock tunes belted out by I-Connect007's own musicians, proving that even at an elec- tronics show, sometimes it's good to play "unplugged." Teach Tactilely I've said for many years that "a picture is worth a thousand words but holding the technology in your hand is worth a thousand pictures." The show floor is lush with com- panies making monumental efforts to bring their parts—including the machinery that built them—to the show floor. Exhibitors are well stocked with samples. I stopped at an SMT equipment supplier, for example, and asked about the smallest component their placement machines could handle. The sales engineer's response: "0402s." I must have had an unimpressed expression on my face; he paused, like a skilled comedian timing the punchline, and said with a grin, "Metric." He was pleased to see my jaw drop. Immediately I asked if he had any samples. "Of course," he responded, and less than a minute later I was holding a small piece of sticky tape on which 165 0402 (metric) resistors were placed. The parts were clearly visible when held up to the light, and the pattern was less than the size of a pumpkin seed. Amazed, I ran my fin- ger across the pattern to feel the tiny parts, only to smudge the pattern slightly. Sadly, by mistake I stuck the taped pattern to one of my business cards. My sample was so small I must not have noticed when I passed the card along to a show floor acquaintance. This simple example reminded me of the importance of getting to touch and feel the technology. It brought to life the designs I work on every day. Emerge "Emerging engineers" describes a new gen- eration of students ready to take the next step into a new career. But the ever-evolving printed circuit industry affords anyone young or old many opportunities to lean forward, learn, re-invent themselves, and emerge as something new. Because of the influence of IPC shows, committees, and content, I have seen many young (and even older) PCB indus- try professionals come forward as experts into specialized, emerging technologies. Through inspiration and exposure to the PCB industry at IPC APEX EXPO, I've even found myself "emerging" as something new every few years—first as an IPC-certified PCB designer, then as an IPC design certification