IPC International Community magazine an association member publication
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74 I-CONNECT007 MAGAZINE I SEPTEMBER 2026 Erika Reel: As a longtime member of FED and now a member of the board, I help shape the strategic direction of the association. I am responsible for PCB design as well as training and continuing education. One of my projects has been the in- troduction and development of the Certified Electronics Designer (ZED), a comprehensive profes- sional qualification program for PCB designers in Europe. I'm sure you're looking forward to your annual conference. What can you tell me about it? Bornhorn: This is Germany's leading industry con- ference for electronic design and manufacturing and serves as a platform for the entire electron- ics value chain, bringing together PCB designers, electronics manufacturers, EMS providers, OEMs, technology suppliers, and applied research insti- tutions to exchange practical knowledge and dis- cuss the latest developments in electronic hard- ware design and production. Each year, more than 300 industry professionals participate in 45 expert presentations, panel discussions, keynote speech- es, and a dedicated technology exhibition. What makes the FED Conference particularly important is its strong focus on real-world indus- trial challenges and solutions. The conference promotes the exchange of best practices and highlights emerging technologies such as AI, auto- mation, advanced packaging, and digitalization. For many participants, the FED Conference is not only a source of technical expertise but also an important networking event in the German- speaking electronics industry. It creates opportunities for collaboration, inno- vation, and knowledge transfer that ultimately drive the future of elec- tronics development and manu- facturing. What do the PCB Design Awards recognize? Reel: The awards were established in 2012 to recognize outstanding achievements in PCB design and the increasingly important role of PCB designers. Our primary goal is to give visibility to the engineers, de- signers, and development teams whose work forms the foundation of every successful electronic product. While end products often receive the attention, the complex engineering behind PCB design fre- quently remains unseen. We want to change that! PCB designers serve as the central inter- face between development and manufacturing by coordinating requirements from circuit design, production, assembly, and testing. They have a significant influence on the costs and quality of the subsequent manufacturing process. Therefore, the award is intended to raise public awareness of the profession. How are the awards categorized? Reel: There are four categories: 3D, High Power, High Density, and Simply Ingenious. Among the numerous award winners are actually two of our current board members: Michael Schleicher, who is also very active at the Global Electronics Associ- ation, and Michael Matthes, who oversees design matters on the board. What all the award winners have in common is that they have successfully im- plemented exceptionally clever solutions to com- plex challenges in PCB design. What makes an award-winning design? Bornhorn: An award-winning design combines technical excellence with practical manu- facturability and clear documentation. It demonstrates outstanding engi- neering skills in overcoming design constraints, whether it was maxi- mizing performance in extremely limited space, managing high cur- rents and controlled-impedance signals, or achieving exceptional density and reliability for advanced computing applications. In short, an award-winning design translates com- Eri ka R e e l C h ri sto p h B o r n h o r n