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JUNE 2026 I I-CONNECT007 MAGAZINE 85 ment. By reviewing reports, you learn to anticipate fabrication challenges, like optimizing trace widths for better yields or embedding stackup data to elimi- nate ambiguity. Some advanced CAM platforms even simulate panelization, helping you minimize waste and costs. With standards like ODB++ and IPC-2581 gaining traction, CAM facilitates seamless data exchange, turning your files into a blueprint for success rather than a puzzle for the fab. Incorporating CAM isn't complicated. It can start with a simple Gerber viewer that integrates with the CAD environment to validate the production files. Beyond that, a more powerful Gerber editor can run validations after layout completion, addressing issues, and generating a DFM report to accompany your submission. Over time, CAM should be treated as a core review step, on par with schematic simula- tions. Training resources, online forums, and industry certifications can help designers master it quickly. Building a Better Design Culture PCB designers must recognize the perils of throw- ing it over the wall. The existing culture of silent fixes, or no fixes at all, denies PCB designers the in- sights needed to refine their workflows and elevate their DFM practices. Hoping for valuable input from across the wall is, in most cases, a losing strategy. It only perpetuates errors, wastes resources, and hampers innovation. Instead of waiting for the fabricator to speak up, the design team should empower itself with the right tools and transform uncertainty into precision. Independent Gerber viewers and Gerber editors are an indispensable part of the process. By detecting errors before they become "production issues," these tools help produce cleaner designs, improve yields, and build a culture of continuous improve- ment. I-CONNECT007 My Trip to Schneider Electric AI, Data, and the Need for More Power AI is pushing power infrastructure to its limits, and many of those same challenges, par- ticularly around power delivery and heat manage- ment, parallel what the electronics industry faces in building and scaling advanced microelectron- ics. Yet when it comes to AI and hardware, we typically only see a small piece of the total pic- ture. So, when Schneider Electric invited me to tour a modern AI data center still under construc- tion, I jumped at the opportunity. This became a fascinating technical journey I'm excited to share. Who Is Schneider Electric? Schneider Electric is a French multinational com- pany with nearly 200 years of history that began in steel production and heavy machinery. Today, it is a global leader in energy management, industrial automation, and digital infrastructure, operating in more than 100 countries. Its technologies sup- BY M A RCY L A RO N T, I - C O N N ECT 0 07 port factories, utilities, buildings, and data centers worldwide, with a growing emphasis on electrifica- tion, automation, and sustainability. Schneider Elec- tric has also become a major player in the AI boom, investing heavily in power distribution, automation software, and advanced liquid cooling systems de- signed for high-performance computing. While data centers themselves are not new, next- generation AI facilities present entirely new chal- lenges. "AI factories are not traditional data centers; they're purpose-built to produce digital insight across the AI lifecycle," said Steve Carlini, chief advocate of data centers and AI. "With 60% of deployments moving to AI and power densities jumping from 20 to 150 kilowatts per rack, this is a fundamental shift in how we design and operate infrastructure." Click here to continue reading.