July 1, 2026

Gartner Identifies Top Supply Chain Technology Trends for 2026 Gartner identified agentic AI and physical AI among the top supply chain technology trends for 2026, highlighting autonomous, intelligent systems that enhance resilience, improve operations and create business value. The firm urged organizations to align these technologies with strategic goals to strengthen competitiveness. Gartner

Sponsor Reclaim Your Factory's Future Space is a precious resource. With SELECT Synchro, reclaim it, and reimagine your factory's workflow for greater efficiency and scalability. Nordson Electronic Solutions

Electronics Manufacturing Services Market to Surge, Reaching USD 853.05 Billion by 2030 The global electronics manufacturing services market is expected to grow from USD 648.5 billion in 2025 to USD 853.1 billion by 2030, driven by rising demand for advanced electronics, automotive technologies, smart manufacturing, and expanding production investments across the Asia-Pacific region. Global Newswire

Engineering ESD-Safe PCB Assembly for High-Reliability IoT and Industrial Electronics Electrostatic discharge (ESD) threatens IoT and high-reliability electronics as components shrink and densify. This paper details design protections, assembly controls, and validation methods to help engineers and OEMs enhance device resilience and ensure long-term performance. Technical Paper

Record chip rally adds $2 trillion in combined value to Micron, Intel and AMD in second quarter Investors broadened their AI bets beyond Nvidia in the second quarter, driving massive gains for Micron, Intel and AMD. Strong AI demand also lifted semiconductor infrastructure companies, pushing chip stocks and the semiconductor ETF to record quarterly performances. CNBC

Sponsor Precision Control for BGA Rework Vacuum sensing electronics provide control for gentle, automatic component removal while a non-contact site cleaning tip's height is accurately monitored and maintained. Air-Vac Engineering

Business Growth Has 5 Stages — Most Founders Never Reach The Last 2. Here’s Why (and What to Do About It). Many founders mistake early attention for lasting growth, investing heavily in visibility while neglecting later stages. Sustainable revenue depends on progressing through five sequential growth phases, with the final stages delivering long-term business success and remaining out of reach for many companies. Entrepreneur

Evaluation of Reliability using Autocatalytic Silver Bath on ENEP Layer It was confirmed that ENEPES with a Ag thickness of 0.3 μm had good reliability both for the solder joint and Ag sintering joint. Technical Paper

Technical Papers ■ Flux-Free, Reliable, Efficient: Soldering with Formic Acid ■ Redesigning Material Logistics for High-Mix EMS Production ■ Unlocking Academic-Industry Synergy: A Collaborative Model for Hands-On Electronics Manufacturing Education ■ Viscosity Does Not Equal Rheology: What Solder Paste Measurements Really Tell You ■ Salvaging Electronic Components: A Reliable Method for Reducing Electronic Waste and Ensuring Economic Reuse ■ Digital Warehouse Automation in High-Mix PCB Assembly ■ Evaluation of Techniques for Intentional Contamination of PWB Substrates for Quantitative Cleanliness Analyses ■ Scaling SMT Traceability ■ The Drawbacks of Internal Recycling Systems for Solder Dross ■ Engineering ESD-Safe PCB Assembly for High-Reliability IoT and Industrial Electronics MORE TECHNICAL PAPERS

Sponsor Optimizing BGA Rework: Challenges, Techniques and Quality Control The complexity of BGA packages introduces challenges during rework requiring innovative methods and inspection practices to ensure performance and reliability. Read more. BEST Inc.

Tech execs held in China chip smuggling case Keelung prosecutors detained three technology executives over an alleged NT$700 million Nvidia AI chip smuggling scheme that routed servers through Japan and Hong Kong to China. Investigators seized 50 AI servers, while authorities continue expanding the export control investigation. Taipei Times

South Korean tech giants to build a $518 billion chipmaking hub Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix will invest a combined $518 billion to build four semiconductor fabrication plants in southwest South Korea, expanding AI chip production, supporting regional development, and strengthening the nation’s long-term semiconductor ecosystem to meet rising global demand. EP&T

3P Production Preparation Process A Lean Manufacturing methodology is presented as a standardization tool where teams work for the process design of production lines and manufacturing systems. Technical Paper

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New Study Shows Health Of Old Lithium-Ion Batteries Can Be Restored With An Electrochemical Bath Researchers at Cornell University developed an electrochemical battery restoration process that regenerates electrodes, restoring up to 95% of capacity while extending battery life. The technique could cut recycling costs by 56%, reduce hazardous waste, and ease growing demand for lithium-ion battery materials. BGR

Printed Electronics Market Size to Hit USD 89.08 Billion by 2034 - SRI The global printed electronics market is set to grow from USD 20.08 billion in 2025 to USD 89.08 billion by 2034, driven by rising demand for flexible devices, IoT applications, advanced printing technologies, and continued innovation in conductive materials and sustainable manufacturing. Open PR

The Importance of Conformal Coating Thickness and Edge Coverage The performance of new silicone and urethane materials, designed for coverage and thickness, is compared with an acrylic and ultra-thin material. Technical Paper

Sponsor 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. KYZEN

Why Is Screen Size Measured Diagonally? TV manufacturers measure screen size diagonally because it provides a consistent way to compare displays across different aspect ratios. The practice, inherited from the CRT era, combines width and height into one standard measurement while simplifying product specifications and marketing. BGR

Proposed Chips Act 2.0 fortifies Europe’s electronics ecosystem Three years after launching the European Chips Act, the EU has proposed Chips Act 2.0, expanding support beyond semiconductors to strengthen the entire electronics ecosystem. The initiative embraces a silicon-to-systems strategy to boost resilience, advanced manufacturing and technological sovereignty. Euobserver

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RoHS at 20: Why landmark law milestone is met with silence Twenty years after the EU's Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS) transformed electronics manufacturing, critics say repeated exemptions have stalled progress. Butterfly Network is challenging lead exemptions in handheld ultrasound devices, pushing regulators to reward safer innovation and strengthen environmental standards. Euractiv

Intrusive Soldering Through-Hole Connector We are SMT soldering a through-hole PC 104 connector. We have tried preforms and are unable to get all of the pins soldered. Phil Zarrow and Jim Hall, The Assembly Brothers, share their own suggestions in this scenario. Board Talk

Trump signs executive order to accelerate US quantum computing strategy President Donald Trump signed an executive order updating the U.S. quantum strategy, accelerating quantum research, commercialization, workforce development, and supply chain security while advancing post-quantum cybersecurity efforts to strengthen national security and maintain America's technological leadership. SC World

AI boom spurs electronics manufacturing China’s electronic information manufacturing industry will prioritize quality, resilience and AI-driven growth during the 2026–30 plan. Strong revenue growth, expanding global leadership and rising investments in intelligent technologies and automotive electronics are expected to further strengthen China’s competitive position. China Daily

Sponsor Introducing our new Board to Board Connectors These new Board to Board Connectors feature pitch sizes from 0.50 mm to 1.00 mm with multi-pitch and custom pitch designs available. Designed for long-life applications and robust handling. Advanced Interconnections Corp

The memory shortage shaking Apple and Microsoft is ‘existential crisis’ for smaller players A global memory shortage driven by AI demand is sharply raising DRAM prices, squeezing consumer electronics makers. Smaller companies face production delays, higher costs, and uncertain futures, while industry giants pass on price increases and memory suppliers report record profits. CNBC