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Water Reduction and Reclamation in PCB Manufacturing

Water Reduction and Reclamation in PCB Manufacturing It’s no secret that PCB manufacturing uses copious amounts of water—as much as 264 billion gallons per year. Until a recent shift in trend, sustainability initiatives have been mainly focused on decreasing carbon emissions and energy consumption. However, the industry is now turning toward water reduction and reclamation to preserve natural resources and contribute toward a more balanced (and health-safe) planet. And it couldn’t be soon enough Read Article

Where Companies Are Going After They Leave China

Where Companies Are Going After They Leave China Following economic reforms that provided tax breaks, subsidies, and other incentives and thereby opened China's proverbial doors to foreign investment, China swiftly became the world's most popular manufacturing hub. Low labor costs and a robust infrastructure, including roads, ports, and airports that make it easy to transport goods in and out of China, and a strong technology sector that placed Chinese companies at the forefront of developing Read Article

4 Key Certifications for Electronic Parts Distributors

4 Key Certifications for Electronic Parts Distributors In the rapidly evolving electronics industry landscape, parts distributors are under growing pressure to demonstrate compliance with a range of certifications that are pivotal in ensuring product quality, environmental responsibility and operational safety. These certifications are influencing many facets of electronic parts distribution from supply chain management to end-user satisfaction, with the potential of providing a strategic Read Article

Ensuring Reliable Sourcing in Medical Device Supply Chains

Ensuring Reliable Sourcing in Medical Device Supply Chains Key complications include the multifaceted complex nature of medical devices, the intricate assembly process, stringent regulatory requirements, import/export restrictions, and a fiercely competitive landscape, and a need for a continuous improvement (CI) system (figure 1). To navigate these challenges, organisations can take actions to invest in research and development, implement strong quality control measures, build robust regulatory teams Read Article

Where Does Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) Help with Supply Chain Management?

Where Does Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) Help with Supply Chain Management? PLM is a systematic approach to managing the series of changes a product goes through, from its design and development to its ultimate retirement or disposal. SCM, on the other hand, involves the active management of supply chain activities to maximize customer value and achieve a sustainable competitive advantage. The PLM software market is valued at US$47.3 billion in 2023, and is projected to reach US$80.3 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of Read Article

Overview of TSCA’s New PFAS Requirements

Overview of TSCA’s New PFAS Requirements Quick Reference Guide: Important Dates and Resources For most covered entities: The EPA submission period begins on November 12, 2024, and closes on May 8, 2025 Toxic Substances Control Act Section 8(a)(7)- Published October 11, 2023 Central Data Exchange (EPA’s electronic reporting site) Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) TSCA Chemical Substance Inventory Instructions for Reporting PFAS Under TSCA Section 8(a)(7) (EPA) FOR FURTHER INFORMATION Read Article

Newly Updated US Export Rules to China Target AI Chips

Newly Updated US Export Rules to China Target AI Chips Amidst an escalating tech rivalry between the United States and China, the semiconductor industry finds itself in the middle of the confrontation. The recent update to US export controls targeting AI chips and chipmaking tools destined for China has introduced a new chapter in this technological tug-of-war. While aimed at curtailing China's scientific and military advancement, these measures have broad ramifications for the electronic component Read Article

Where to Find PFAS in Electronics

Where to Find PFAS in Electronics Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances ( PFAS) are a group of nearly 15,000 synthetic chemicals, “forever chemicals” that are extremely slow to degrade, remaining in the environment for an unknown amount of time and, over time, possibly leaking into the soil, water, and air. Besides their environmental impact, health regulators are concerned about how exposure to these chemicals may impact human health, including increasing the risk of some cancers Read Article

Can Buyers Be Proactive About Obsolescence?

Can Buyers Be Proactive About Obsolescence? Ever changing technologies and fluctuations in supply and demand in the semiconductor industry lead to more cases of component obsolescence—a historical response to evolving technology or shifts in the supply chain. More than 70% of electronic components become obsolete before they are installed and buyers are always trailing behind their suppliers as they develop newer, more capable parts. This can likely occur through discontinuation of certain Read Article

How Much Will Section 301 Tariffs on Electronic Component Imports from China Cost?

How Much Will Section 301 Tariffs on Electronic Component Imports from China Cost? The clock is ticking towards a pivotal moment for importers with the looming May 31, 2024, expiration of selected Section 301 tariff exclusions. These exemptions have been a lifeline for over 300 product categories, extending a financial reprieve to critical segments, including essential medical supplies aimed at combating the COVID-19 pandemic. Unless the United States Trade Representative (USTR) issues yet another extension (see below) Read Article

New Distributors Appear as Chip Inventories and Sales Grow

New Distributors Appear as Chip Inventories and Sales Grow The semiconductor industry is experiencing its most profound growth period, and cementing its importance in the digitized world. Now the industry must leverage this growth to serve development in other industries—namely the AI-driven technology makers and data-center operators—to maintain an upward trajectory. With revenue growth set to exceed US$1.38 trillion in 2029, it seems that more companies have considered their position in this market and Read Article

Aerospace and Defense: An Unexpected Investor in Microelectronics

Aerospace and Defense: An Unexpected Investor in Microelectronics Aerospace and defense have always been at the forefront of technological innovation. From the development of radar systems during World War II to the modern-day stealth aircraft, these industries have continuously pushed the boundaries of technology. Central to this innovation is the role of microelectronics, which encompasses the design and manufacture of small-scale electronic components and systems. Microelectronics Development and Advancement Read Article

What Industries Will Be Hurt By A China-Europe Trade War?

What Industries Will Be Hurt By A China-Europe Trade War? Trade wars have always been a complex issue, with far-reaching implications for economies and industries. A potential trade war between China and Europe is no exception. This article will explore the industries at risk and discuss the immediate impacts and possible mitigating actions. ( For the purposes of this article, we will refer to China as GC for Greater China which includes Mainland China and Hong Kong, and Europe as EU30 which is the Read Article

Why Future Electronics Designs Might Be Chiplet-Based

Why Future Electronics Designs Might Be Chiplet-Based In the semiconductor industry's ever-evolving landscape, a shift is occurring from traditional monolithic chip architectures toward more modular, chiplet-based designs. This transition is not merely a change in manufacturing technique. It represents a significant evolution in how the electronics industry conceptualizes, designs and delivers the electronic components driving the modern world. Chiplet-based architectures are emerging as a driving Read Article

reduce bom cost

PCB Part Swaps That Can Reduce BOM Cost Want to reduce BOM cost for your PCB build? Here are the part swaps that can significantly reduce your total parts cost. Read Article

Centralized Data Management Minimizes Chances of Design Errors and Redundancies

Centralized Data Management Minimizes Chances of Design Errors and Redundancies Find out how centralized data management enhances collaboration, reduces errors, and optimizes production efficiency in PCB manufacturing. Read Article

How to Test Suspect Electronic Components

How to Test Suspect Electronic Components In an effort to fight counterfeiting, inventory managers and PCB assemblers can take steps to test and verify electronic components. Read Article