November 25, 2025

How to Leverage End-to-End PCB Services for Faster Time to Market Decision-makers evaluating external PCB manufacturing should set clear needs, budgets, and quality goals, then select partners with advanced equipment, fast turnaround, proven workflows, and dependable service to accelerate production and ensure consistent, competitive results. EE Times

Sponsor Reflow Solderable TIM1 Thermal Grease AIT's CGR7016 & CGR7019-LB series are proven reliable for thermal interface usage at extreme temperatures. 100% chip to heat-spreader lid seal after multiple reflow soldering. AI Technology, Inc.

How the Nexperia chip crisis upended auto supply chains - again A Nexperia chip shortage at its Dongguan plant disrupted global auto production, forcing Nissan, Honda, and Bosch to cut output. The crisis exposed automakers' reliance on low-cost Chinese semiconductors and weak supply-chain diversification, highlighting geopolitical risks. Reuters

How pH Cleaning Agents Affect Production Performance Establishing a reliable cleaning process requires a good understanding of all influencing factors, including pH, and defining the correct balance to meet final product reliability. Technical Paper

Amazon to spend up to $50 billion on AI infrastructure for U.S. government Amazon will invest up to $50 billion to build new U.S. government-focused AI and high-performance computing data centers by 2026, expanding capacity by 1.3 GW and giving agencies access to AWS and partner AI tools as tech firms race to scale infrastructure. CNBC

Sponsor PCB Rework Evolves, With X-ray a Constant Support Mini Micro Stencil, a contract manufacturer focused on PCB rework, has relied on real-time X-ray inspection to verify its precision rework as the industry has evolved over 30 years. Glenbrook Technologies

Apple's Foldable iPhone Might Be The First To Have A 'Crease-Free Design' Apple is reportedly advancing a crease-free foldable iPhone now in engineering verification, with Foxconn preparing dedicated production. Using a reinforced display and Liquidmetal hinge, the iPhone Fold aims to deliver premium durability and battery performance ahead of a 2026 launch. BGR

Technical Papers ■ The Analysis of Variance: Drawing Conclusions from Data That Are Correct, Unambiguous, and Defensible ■ PCB Rework Evolves, With X-ray a Constant Support ■ How pH Cleaning Agents Affect Production Performance ■ A Universal AI-Powered Segmentation Model for PCBA & Semiconductor ■ RAIG Minimizes Corrosion, Allows Higher Gold on ENEPIG ■ High Reliability Lead-Free Solder Paste with Rosin and Anti-Crack Resin ■ Understanding Solder Dross: Causes and Control Strategies ■ Optimizing BGA Rework: Challenges, Techniques and Quality Control ■ Maintenance: The Basics of Cleaning Series Part 4 ■ The Economics of Electronic Component Salvage and Reuse MORE TECHNICAL PAPERS

Sponsor Outsourcing: A Risk You Can't Afford Stop risking delays, tariffs, and rising costs with overseas PCB assembly. Bring production in-house with Manncorp for speed, precision, and total control—future-secured. Manncorp Inc.

A Power Reshuffle Follows GF, TSMC GaN Tie-Up TSMC's planned GaN exit accelerates industry shifts as GlobalFoundries licenses its 650-V and 80-V technologies, expands U.S. GaN capacity, and positions itself to absorb key customers like Navitas amid growing demand for high-efficiency power semiconductors. EE Times

Broadcom is joining Alphabet in the AI rally. Why investors are jumping in Broadcom surged 11% as investors piled into AI-linked tech, buoyed by its deepening ASIC partnership with Alphabet. Analysts hiked price targets, citing soaring TPU demand and Google's expanding AI ambitions, positioning Broadcom for significant revenue momentum. CNBC

Sponsor Sawa Ecobrid Fully Automatic Stencil Cleaner This cleaner has 2 ultrasonic cleaning head panels for cleaning the front & back sides together. Ultrasonic energy is applied directly to the stencil. Seika

Amazon Inc has more than 900 data center facilities in 50 countries Amazon's data center footprint proves far larger than assumed, with documents revealing over 900 sites worldwide and heavy reliance on more than 440 colocation facilities. The strategy boosts AWS's global flexibility and capacity as AI-driven computing demand accelerates. Taipei Times

The Future Belongs to Leaders Who Orchestrate AI, Not Pass Tasks to It A delegation-heavy leadership model collapses under scale, as endless decisions, meetings, and follow-ups bog down executives. The author reflects on a career shaped by this system and argues its mounting complexity makes the approach increasingly unsustainable. Entrepreneur

Sponsor Affordable Excellence - iS6052 AOI The latest addition to Viscom's esteemed lineup of AOI systems. This new system offers a compelling option for manufacturers looking to enhance their PCB inspection processes. Viscom

Here's what's behind Tesla's 3-year sales low in China Tesla's China sales plunged to a three-year low in October as fierce competition, price wars, and rising local rivals eroded its market share. Analysts warn Tesla must refresh aging models to fend off Xiaomi, BYD, and others and avoid a full-year decline. CNBC

Will technology provide a boost to truck drivers — or will it replace them? Volvo's tech-enhanced VNL uses advanced driver-assistance systems to reduce stress and boost safety in long-haul trucking. As autonomous trucks are tested, drivers debate whether these innovations will improve tough working conditions or threaten jobs in a high-turnover industry. NPR

Sponsor Storage Solutions – Free Online Demo Our online demos give our clients a deep insight into our solutions, allowing them to interact with an expert and have their questions answered throughout. Discover our technology wherever you are. Essegi Automation

Fastening Surface Mounted Connectors Before or After Refow? s there an IPC guideline for attachment of SMT or PTH connectors that are hardware mounted? Do you tighten / torque hardware before soldering, or solder then tighten hardware? Could not find guidance in J-STD-001 or IPC-A-610. Circuit Insight - Ask the Experts

Tim Cook May Not Be Leaving Apple As Soon As You Think Apple's early-2026 CEO transition seems premature, as Tim Cook is likely to stay in charge despite succession plans favoring John Ternus. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman notes Cook will continue steering Apple's growth while managing political and economic challenges. BGR

Ductile Low Temperature Solders for Mass Production of Assemblies This paper reports results of the behaviour of Sb in a Sn-Bi alloy and consider the implications of the findings for the reliability of LTS solder joints. Circuit Insight - Materials Tech

Sponsor Vapor Phase Profiling Thermal profiling the vapor phase soldering process – especially those with vacuum – is challenging. ECD's M-VP™ sealed barrier can take it. Learn more. ECD

Samsung reportedly converts NAND lines to DRAM to meet surging AI memory demand Samsung is set to convert parts of its Pyeongtaek and Hwaseong NAND flash lines into DRAM production as it accelerates efforts to meet soaring demand for general-purpose memory powering AI servers, cloud systems, and data-center expansion. Digitimes

German automakers scramble to reduce China dependence after Nexperia crisis Germany's auto giants Volkswagen, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz face mounting pressure as the Nexperia crisis exposes the risks of their heavy reliance on China. The incident pushes all three to accelerate diversification and reduce dependence on Chinese supply chains. Digitimes

Memory Safety Will Be Key to Tackle Fundamental Cyber Security The U.K.'s Digital Security by Design initiative showcased CHERI, a memory-safe hardware technology, in London. Experts praised its cybersecurity potential but noted adoption challenges. With 160+ companies involved, standardizing memory safety remains a key priority. EE Times