circuitnet
Sponsor
Aim-Solder

Drop-in SAC305 Alternative: Try REL61
Upgrade your alloy without the downtime. REL61 requires no pot cleaning and your SAC305 scrap value often covers the cost of the changeover. Optimize your process today.
AIM Solder
Ask the Experts
Requirements for Installing Leaded vs. Lead-free Press Fit Connectors
Is there a difference between the requirements to install a leaded press fit connector, and a lead free press fit connector?
Responses by:
Mark Northrup
Fellow, Raytheon
Kishan Sarjoo
Process Engineering Manager - Electronics, Altech UEC, South Africa
Edithel Marietti
Senior Manufacturing Engineer, Northrop Grumman
Class 3 Pin Contact Question
Maximum Allowable Time Prior to Washing When Using Water Soluble Paste
What's Causing Cloudy Conformal Coating
What Is Causing Slanted Pins After Reflow
Components Falling Off During Wave Soldering
ESD Ground Wire Gauge
Looking for Long-term Component Storage Options
MORE ASK THE EXPERTS
kyzen
Sponsor
Summit-Interconnect

Seven Facilities, One Trusted Source
Partner with the industry leader. Summit is trusted and proven, with 7 integrated facilities to load capacity—from fast-turn prototypes to scalable production requirements.
Summit Interconnect
Industry Calendar
Aug 12, 2027
High Reliability Cleaning and Conformal Coating Conference
SMTA
Apr 13, 2027
Symposium on Counterfeit Parts and Materials - UK
SMT
Oct 25, 2026
SMTA International Conference & Exposition
SMTA
Oct 7, 2026
Guadalajara Expo & Tech Forum
SMTA
Oct 1, 2026
Long Island Expo & Tech Forum
SMTA
FULL INDUSTRY CALENDAR
Master-Bond
Sponsor
Essegi-Automation

The New Smart Rack Mobile
Optimize your workflow with Smart Rack Mobile: intelligent storage, mobility, and real-time component management. Discover more!
Essegi Automation
What Year Was It?
Bayer Patents Aspirin
What Year
The Imperial Patent Office in Berlin registers Aspirin, the brand name for acetylsalicylic acid, on behalf of the German pharmaceutical company Friedrich Bayer & Co.
See the answer below.
Sponsor
Ormet-TLPS

AIT ORMET® TLPS for Thermal Conductivity
AIT ORMET® TLPS is proven with stress relief for stable long-term metallic thermal conductivity & low thermal interface resistance for high temp >175°C
Ormet TLPS
Glenbrook-Technologies
What Year Was It Answer
Bayer Patents Aspirin
Answer: March 6, 1899
March 9, 2026
Military AI Policy Needs Democratic Oversight
The U.S. Department of Defense and Anthropic are clashing over AI use in the military. Anthropic resists enabling domestic surveillance and autonomous targeting, while the DOD seeks unrestricted access, escalating the dispute by labeling the company a “supply chain risk.”
IEEE Spectrum
Sponsor
Creative-Electron

Inline Automatic X-Ray Inspection: TruView™ Verus
TruView™ Verus is a high-resolution inline AXI system offering advanced 2D, 2.5D, and 3D imaging to detect defects in electronic assemblies with exceptional accuracy and speed.
Creative Electron
Samsung Electronics retains global TV market lead for 20 years
Samsung Electronics secured its 20th consecutive year as the world’s largest TV maker in 2025, capturing a 29.1% global market share and dominating the premium segment with 54.3%, while planning new OLED, Micro RGB, and Neo QLED launches.
The Korea Times
Maintenance: The Basics of Cleaning Series Part 4
This article is the fourth and final part of the series titled "The Basics of Cleaning". In this final chapter, some of the common mistakes in maintenance cleaning applications found in electronic assembly operations will be covered and a summary of the entire series.
Technical Paper
Electronics industry gets less traditional
The consumer electronics industry is cooling, with CES attendance dipping slightly and holiday sales slowing. Yet pockets of growth remain, from digital TVs to next-gen DVD players, as companies like Intel and IBM seize opportunities in increasingly computer-like devices.
ABC News
Sponsor
Rehm-Thermal-Systems-GmbH

Reliable drying of UV materials
Rehm Thermal Systems launches the RDS UV dryer to meet faster hardening demands, enabling efficient, eco-friendly UV coating for electronics and various industries.
Rehm Thermal Systems
5 Cool Smartphone Accessories You Can 3D Print
3D printers let users create both fun and practical items, like smartphone accessories. From keychain stands and protective cases to analog megaphones that boost audio, enthusiasts can design or download 3D-printable gadgets that enhance functionality, convenience, and everyday use.
BGR
Failure Analysis - Using Chromatography and Ion Chromatopgraphy/Mass Spec
From component and fabrication to complete electronic assemblies, IC analysis has been the de facto method for evaluating ionic cleanliness of electronic hardware.
Technical Paper
Technical Papers
The Drawbacks of Internal Recycling Systems for Solder Dross
Engineering ESD-Safe PCB Assembly for High-Reliability IoT and Industrial Electronics
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
MORE TECHNICAL PAPERS
Sponsor
BEST-Inc.

Bring IPC Training to Your Facility
Mobile training center offers IPC certified classes at your company’s facility making solder training effective and convenient for your entire team.
BEST Inc.
Wall Street sees AI’s ‘creative destruction’ coming
Investors are nervously watching AI’s rapid rise, fearing entire businesses—not just jobs—could be disrupted. While productivity gains promise long-term economic growth, sectors from back-office services to legal work face short-term risks, debt pressures, and potential market corrections.
Taipei Times
TSMC to hire 8,000 workers in 2026
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) plans to hire 8,000 employees this year, offering master’s degree engineers NT$2.2 million on average. The company seeks talent across multiple engineering fields to support AI, digital transformation, and big data initiatives.
Taipei Times
Assessment of 2nd Level Interconnect Quality in Flip Chip Ball Grid Array Package
Wire bonding is extensively used in the electronic packaging industry. One of the difficulties with flip chip technology is testing its reliability.
Technical Paper
Sponsor
Circuit-Technology-Center

BGA Component Rework Simplified
When you're confronted with tough BGA rework, who do you turn to? Discover the #1 resource used by military contractors. We have solutions for all your BGA rework and repair needs.
Circuit Technology Center
7 Clever Uses For Smart Sensors Around The House
Smart home sensors go beyond lighting, tracking kids, pets, or daily routines. Using platforms like Home Assistant with Matter-compatible devices, homeowners can map rooms, monitor presence with mmWave or Bluetooth, and create interactive dashboards for precise, automated control.
BGR
Laser-Based 3D Printing Could Build Future Bases on the Moon
NASA and global space agencies aim to build self-sufficient lunar bases near the Moon’s South Pole-Aitken Basin. Researchers at The Ohio State University demonstrated laser-based 3D printing of lunar regolith, producing durable structures that could support long-term habitats.
IEEE Spectrum
Process-Property Relationships for Flexible Additive-Printed Electronics
In this paper, a detailed study of the effect of aerosol-jet process parameters on the resistance, shear strength, and elastic modulus has been presented.
Technical Paper
Sponsor
Indium-Corporation

High-Reliability for Low-Temp Processes
Durafuse® LT low-temp, high-rel solder paste is bismuth-free, reduces warpage in large BGAs, enhances thermal cycling, drop shock reliability, and reduces energy use up to 15%.
Indium Corporation
How China is challenging the U.S. to become the next great space power
China’s space program is rapidly advancing, hitting milestones like over 90 orbital launches in 2025, a Mars rover landing, and completing its space station. Massive government and private investment aims to challenge U.S. dominance in satellites, rockets, and commercial space.
CNBC
The long game of Rick Tsai: from TSMC’s darkest hour to the AI era
In November 2008, TSMC CEO Dr. Rick Tsai faced a dire crisis as global finance collapsed. Chip orders evaporated, fab utilization plunged below 40%, and the world’s leading semiconductor manufacturer fought to survive amid unprecedented market turmoil.
Digitimes
Sponsor
Schunk

Gripping Systems from micro assembly to heavy lifting
The first industrial-suited grippers from SCHUNK were a milestone. Since then we have brought countless newly and further developments to market.
SCHUNK
Apple’s First Made-in-U.S. Chips Fall Short of Claim
Apple’s claim of producing 100 million U.S.-made chips in 2026 is misleading, as wafers from TSMC’s Arizona facility still require advanced packaging in Taiwan. Full-scale domestic packaging won’t arrive until 2028, keeping U.S. chip supply dependent on Asia.
EE Times
Can Solder Mask Be Considered an Insulator?
Is solder mask considered an insulating material and not a defect if proven the solder mask has dielectric withstanding voltage greater than 500 volts?
Board Talk
Most People Feel Guilty About Their Tech Habits — But Won’t Change Them. Here’s Why That’s a Big Opportunity for Businesses.
Many people quietly worry about their digital habits, knowing that streaming, cloud computing, and AI consume vast energy. Yet this diffuse guilt rarely sparks change, leaving individuals aware of the cost but continuing their energy-heavy tech use.
Entrepreneur
Seagate is now shipping HAMR disk drives holding up to 44TB of data
Seagate has launched its next-generation Mozaic 4+ HAMR drives, offering up to 44TB and optimized for AI workloads. The drives boost efficiency, cut energy use, and target hyperscale and enterprise data centers, pushing storage density and reliability forward.
TechSpot
Sponsor
Nordson-ASYMTEK

New SELECT Synchro soldering system
A multi-station selective soldering system that uses a unique, synchronous motion to increase throughput, improve cost-of-ownership, and provide flexibility for electronics manufacturers.
Nordson Electronics Solutions
AI Data Centers Are Doing More Harm Than Just Driving Up Utility Prices
AI data centers are booming as nations invest billions to dominate artificial intelligence, but their relentless energy use drives up local electricity bills, inflates consumer prices, and harms the environment through noise, water demand, and pollution.
BGR
Today's Sponsor
Heller-Industries-Inc
Sponsor
Heller-Industries-Inc

Precision Thermal Control for High-Reliability SMT
Achieve ultra-uniform temperature control with low mass heater technology. Perfect your soldering profiles and save floor space with our compact, high-efficiency systems.
Heller Industries
Test Your Knowledge
Which one of the following is not a symbol in the Periodic Table of Elements: P, R, V, or Y
See answer below.
Industry Press
Measuring reliability of electronic assemblies using Magnalytix's SIR test
The reliability requirements for electronic assemblies are constantly increasing, especially in safety-related and long-lasting applications. At APEX Expo 2026 ...
PBT Works
Scalable embedded test solution for complex vehicle testing
With the GCAR 6283, GÖPEL electronic is expanding its 62 series with a powerful stand-alone test solution for parallel testing, simulation, and analysis of modern control ...
GÖPEL electronic
Mek to Present Advanced AOI Solutions at IPC APEX 2026
Mek (Marantz Electronics) will be exhibiting at IPC APEX EXPO 2026, Booth 1614, March 17–19. Engineers and manufacturers will have the opportunity to see Mek's ...
Mek (Marantz Electronics)
Greenliant High Reliability, Industrial SSDs at embedded world 2026
Greenliant will showcase its latest portfolio of industrial solid state drives (SSDs) at embedded world 2026 in Nuremberg, Germany, March 10-12, in hall 2, booth ...
Greenliant
Russelectric Highlights Advantages of Central Paralleling Systems
Russelectric highlights the value of centralized paralleling systems for applications requiring maximum control precision, system resilience, and operational visibility. ...
Russelectric, A Siemens Business
Count On Tools Develops Custom Samsung Nozzle for LiteOn TLMH4TGVADA LED
Count On Tools, Inc. (COT) has introduced a custom Samsung nozzle (Part #2026-5654) designed for the placement of the LiteOn TLMH4TGVADA LED. The nozzle ...
Count On Tools, Inc.
Shenzhen SAM Electronic to Debut SM-6700LII Inline Cleaning System at APEX
Shenzhen SAM Electronic Equipment Co., Ltd. will introduce its SM-6700LII Inline AI Computing Server Motherboard Cleaning Machine in Booth 2849 at the 2026 APEX ...
Shenzhen SAM Electronic Equipment Co.
MORE INDUSTRY PRESS
SEHO
Sponsor
Manncorp

Outsourcing Costs More Than You Think
Delays, tariffs, and uncertainty come with overseas PCB assembly. In-house production with Manncorp delivers faster builds, tighter control, and long-term stability.
Manncorp Inc.
Quote of the Day
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.
Charles Dickens
Sponsor
Air-Vac-Engineering

Rework/Removal of Underfilled Parts AVX250/1000M
High precision milling with zero adjacent clearance. Auto laser height measurement of board and component. Learn more.
Air-Vac Engineering
AI-Technology-Inc
Cartoon of the Day
Cartoon
"Eternity has no calendars, no days, no weeks, no years... but I still have trouble managing my time!"
Copyright © Randy Glasbergen
Sponsor
Smart-Sonic

Eliminate Worry of Cross Contamination
While Models 529 and 1550 are similar semi-automatic cleaners with single wash and rinse tanks, the Model 2003 includes 2 wash tanks for cleaning multiple applications in one machine.
Smart Sonic
Viscom-SE
Test Your Knowledge Answer
Which one of the following is not a symbol in the Periodic Table of Elements: P, R, V, or Y
Answer: R. P (Phosphorus), V (Vanadium), Y (Yttrium)