Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/960726
SHOW & TELL MAGAZINE 2018 I I-CONNECT007 27 and are active on numerous subcommittee meetings. Perhaps things are circling around, and none too soon. I believe this renewed interest in IPC specifications by the end-cus- tomers, especially in the areas of automotive, military, and some medical, is a positive thing. Besides the continuous support of companies like Lockheed Martin, Northrup Grumman, and Rockwell Collins, newer ones included SpaceX and Bose. In fact, some subcommittees seemed to be made up entirely of OEMs. What a great opportunity to network! That has always been my mantra: be a vol- unteer and get involved because you will learn so much! Develop a strong network of peers who you can call on just about any time you need help with a problem. What more could you—or your company—want than to work on a standard with the very OEMs who are your end-customers? How much could you learn? While I'm on the subject, I know so many people who disagree with IPC specs and stan- dards or complain that they are inadequate. To these people I say (once again) get involved in the development process. Very few specs are a one-time thing; usually by the time a document is finished, approved, and released, the com- mittee is already at work on the next revision. Our industry is moving fast. You have plenty of opportunities to make your voice heard, but you must put in the effort and hard work. There is really nothing like meeting someone face-to-face. You can email, phone, text, and Skype all you want, but talking in person beats the other approaches hands-down. I met sev- eral people for the first time who I have been in touch with, and it is always more enjoy- able than the long-range thing. Plus, I had the opportunity to discover some brand-new peo- ple, including a young manufacturing engineer with SpaceX's satellite division who was there to learn as much as she could about the reli- ability of PCBs. Boy, did she come to the right spot! (There were many subcommittees and papers presented on that very subject.) It was a good time, a refreshing time, with an upbeat vibe in both conferences and on the show floor, with the renewal of friendships and making of new, and with much accomplished regarding columnists and authors for upcom- ing magazines. It's a little sad that it's over, but after all, you can't forget your regular job. Until next year, but hopefully sooner along the way. S&T