JULY 2024 I PCB007 MAGAZINE 99
This month, my term as
chair of PCBAA ended,
and I turned over those
responsibilities to Shane
Whiteside, CEO of Summit Interconnect.
We have representation from companies
and individuals in manufacturing, assem-
bly, and materials. I look forward to work-
ing with Shane in his new role at PCBAA.
When it comes to printed circuit board
(PCB) development in particular, traditional
methodologies are being reshaped by the
convergence of additive manufacturing
(AM), machine learning (ML), and artificial
intelligence (AI), and propelling the
evolution of electronics manufacturing
to unprecedented heights. Traditional
methods have typically involved intricate
design iterations, extensive manual labor,
and significant material waste.
In recent years, there has been a notable shift in
the electronics manufacturing supply chain land-
scape. However, the global supply chain for the
domestic PCB industry has been steadily shifting
since the 1980s, when the United States began
offshoring PCB manufacturing to other countries.
But because of the quality control issues, rising
international tariffs, and unclear intellectual prop-
erty protection involved in offshoring, reshoring
has become a particularly hot topic.
Handling a serious problem
with a long-time customer,
especially when both parties
share some blame, requires a
delicate balance of diplomacy,
accountability, and strategic
thinking. The goal is to resolve
the disagreement without sacrificing the valu-
able relationship. The last thing you want to do
is win the battle and lose the war.
In the European Union, as in the United
States, today's geopolitical realities are
shaping a new approach to the region's
industrial strategy. The wars in Ukraine
and the Middle East, as well as tensions in
East Asia and actions being taken in other
regions to support key industries, are height-
ening Europe's focus on measures to close
productivity and innovation gaps, especially
where they raise security concerns.
IPC celebrated Interna-
tional Women in Engi-
neering Day with "Bold
Breakthroughs: Women
Reshaping the Engi-
neering Landscape," a
webinar moderated by
Teresa Rowe, IPC senior
director of assembly
and standards technology.
For the latest news and information, visit PCB007.com
Revolutionizing PCB Prototyping
With ML and AM
New IPC Europe Report,
Advocacy Campaign
It's Only Common Sense:
Saving a Great Customer When
Things Go Wrong
Webinar Review: Women Reshaping
the Engineering Landscape
American Made Advocacy:
Changing Leadership and
Three Years of Advocacy in D.C.
Material Insight: Diversifying PCB
Manufacturing Through Nearshoring
Dan Beaulieu
