IPC International Community magazine an association member publication
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58 I-CONNECT007 MAGAZINE I JANUARY 2026 The Evolution of PCB DESIGN from 2D Layouts to 3D Structures Kris Moyer is an experienced PCB designer, instructor, and industry expert with a strong focus on advancing design best practices and workforce development. As an instructor at Sacramento State University, he helps prepare the next generation of electronics designers. He also serves as an instructor for the Global Electronics Association, deliver- ing professional training aligned with IPC stan- dards and emphasizing practical, manufacturable design practices. With a background that spans complex PCB layout, design for manufacturability, and indus- try standards, he is widely recognized for his abil- ity to translate technical requirements into clear, actionable guidance. Through teaching, training, and thought leadership, Kris continues to play an important role in strengthening the PCB design community and shares his vision for 2026 and beyond in PCB design and design engineering. Kris, what will be the most influential changes in PCB design over the next several years? Kris Moyer: Embedded devices will be necessary to support the increasingly faster rise and fall times of digital designs. Ultra HDI designs will also sup- port increasingly faster designs by allowing for smaller feature sizes and better geometric forma- tion of the features, and 3D-printed PCBs will elim- inate the signal integrity and manufacturing chal- lenges associated with current PCB designs. F E AT U R E Q & A WITH KRIS MOYE R, G LOBAL ELECTRON IC S A SSOCIATION Editor's note: We asked several experts in PCB design and fabrication about the pressures shaping PCB fabrication today, including speed, density, geopolitics, and relentless technolog- ical complexity. The results were valuable insights about where we are, where we're headed, and importantly, what it will take to get there.