circuitnet
Sponsor
Glenbrook-Technologies

Counterfeit Components Identified With X-ray Inspection
Automated component sourcing and procurement platform relies on real-time X-ray inspection to remove counterfeit components from supply chain.
Glenbrook Technologies
Ask the Experts
Cleanliness Testing
What are the latest techniques/methods for testing the cleanliness of an assembled PCB after going through our in-house cleaning process?
Responses by:
David Bonito
Sales & Marketing Manager, Technical Manufacturing Corp.
Umut Tosun
Application Technology Manager, Zestron America
Jerry Karp
President, JSK Associates
Terry Munson
President/Senior Technical Consultant, Foresite
Steve Stach
President, Austin American Technology
Walter Pierowski
Process Engineer, Esterline Interface Technologies
Tim O'Neill
Director of Product Management, AIM
Mark McMeen
VP Engineering Services, STI Electronics Inc.
Hand Sanitizer Contamination
Epoxy Wicking up Wire Insulation
Out-gassing and Cleaning
Contamination From Anti-static Foam
Organic Flux Residue Concerns
Lifted Lead on SOT Component
Ultrasonic Cleaning and Surfactants
MORE ASK THE EXPERTS
Viscom-SE
Sponsor
Essegi-Automation

From Slave to Master: flexible ISM integrations
ESSEGI AUTOMATION's ISM software integrates with 250+ brands, connecting ERP, MES, WMS, Pick & Place and X-Ray systems. Flexible logic allows it to operate as master or slave in any production flow.
Essegi Automation
Industry Calendar
Aug 12, 2027
High Reliability Cleaning and Conformal Coating Conference
SMTA
Apr 13, 2027
Symposium on Counterfeit Parts and Materials - UK
SMTA
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
Alltemated
Sponsor
DL-Technology

Micro Dispensing Technology Leader
DL Technology LLC develops customized dispensing needles and valves for the electronics assembly, industrial assembly, semiconductor packaging and medical industries.
DL Technology
What Year Was It?
Castro Announces Mariel Boatlift
What Year
The Castro regime announces that all Cubans wishing to emigrate to the U.S. are free to board boats at the port of Mariel west of Havana, launching the Mariel Boatlift.
See the answer below.
Sponsor
Uyemura

Dedicated Tool for Process Development
Advanced plating capability at Uyemura Tech Center: Process Development, UBM, pilot production. ENIG, ENEPIG, EPIG/EPAG, RAIG immersion gold; all substrates. On-site analysis.
Uyemura
Circuit-Technology-Center
What Year Was It Answer
Castro Announces Mariel Boatlift
Answer: April 20, 1980
April 21, 2026
Chipmakers on track to meet only 60% of AI memory demand by 2027
Big Tech and hyperscalers snap up memory chips to fuel AI, deepening a structural shortage. Analysts say supply will trail demand into 2027–2030 as makers expand capacity, focus on high-bandwidth memory, and leave consumer chip performance increasingly constrained.
TechSpot
Sponsor
Indium-Corporation

Your Award-Winning Cored Wire
Our industry-leading, award-winning range of flux-cored wire solder solutions meet the diverse needs of both manual soldering, and rework and robotic soldering applications.
Indium Corporation
AI Is Reshaping the Memory Market and Its Effects Are Spreading Across Industries
AI-driven demand for high-performance memory shifts supply toward HBM, tightening DRAM and NAND availability, raising prices and lead times. Manufacturers respond by diversifying suppliers, locking long-term deals, and building resilience to 2027.
Global Electronics Association
Understanding Solder Dross: Causes and Control Strategies
This article outlines the main contributors to dross formation, examines how alloy refining methods play a role, and explores practical ways to reduce dross through process control and equipment optimization.
Technical Paper
Computing power behind driverless cars could cancel out the advantages
Autonomous vehicles cut tailpipe emissions via smoother driving and reduced congestion, but CR Legal Team warns heavy AI computing and data centre energy use may offset gains, leaving net benefits depend on rapid decarbonisation and efficiency.
Digital Journal
Sponsor
SEHO

Wave Soldering Processes Rethought
As a pioneer in the development of automated soldering technologies, SEHO is setting global standards today more than ever with outstanding features. Find out more.
SEHO Systems GmbH
Apple taps John Ternus as CEO to replace Tim Cook, who will become chairman
Apple appoints hardware chief John Ternus as CEO, replacing Tim Cook on Sept. 1. Cook shifts to executive chairman while overseeing a smooth transition. Ternus joins the board and inherits leadership amid AI competition and operational challenges.
CNBC
Investigation of Copper Sinter Material for Die Attach
3 copper powders were tested for their feasibility to use as die attach material for pressure sintering process without prior treatment with reducing agents.
Technical Paper
Technical Papers
Scaling SMT Traceability
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
MORE TECHNICAL PAPERS
Sponsor
Plasma-Etch

High power atmospheric plasma system
Our 1000 Atmospheric Plasma System is available with PC or PLC control for lab or high speed production use with the same high powered systems. Remove contaminants and increase bond strength!
Plasma Etch
Why I Take a 'Roll up Your Sleeves' Approach to Leadership – And How it's Paying Off
A CEO traveled to work closely with teammates to streamline priorities and projects. He emphasized that such collaboration reflects his leadership style, focused on coaching and guidance rather than control, empowering employees to manage workloads effectively.
Entrepreneur
Resilience must be multilateral
Washington and Tokyo expand Indo-Pacific cooperation through US$50B initiative as China pressure and alliance volatility expose bilateralism limits. They advance multilateral frameworks to improve coordination, deterrence, reduce Taiwan risk.
Taipei Times
Does HASL or ENIG Reduce Creep Corrosion in Corrosive Environments?
We make electronics equipment used in corrosive environments. Do you recommend the use of HASL versus immersion gold for our application? The Assembly Brothers, Phil Zarrow and Jim Hall, answer this question.
Board Talk
Sponsor
Advanced-Interconnections

Need Improved Solder Joint Visibility?
Solder Peel-A-Way° Removable Terminal Carriers in place and peel the carrier away for complete solder joint visibility on both sides of the PCB. Watch a video to see it in action.
Advanced Interconnections Corp.
Japan companies hit by aluminum shortage
Disrupted Middle East shipping routes amid the Iran conflict are squeezing Japan's aluminum supply, forcing automakers to cut output and seek alternatives. Prices have surged, inventories are shrinking & prolonged shortages threaten production halts and global supply chain instability.
Taipei Times
EDA AI Agents: Intelligent Automation in Semiconductor & PCB Design
Semiconductor design is advancing on two fronts: faster engines and smarter engineers. AI-powered EDA tools boost simulation speed, while Siemens introduces Fuse EDA AI to unify workflows, automate decisions & enhance productivity across the chip and PCB design lifecycle.
EE Times
Developments of the X-ray Inspection Technology for PCBAs
This paper provides an overview of some of the latest technical developments in the X-ray inspection technology for the electronics industry.
Technical Paper
Sponsor
kyzen

Maintenance: The Basics of Cleaning Series Part 4
This is the final paper in a series and discusses some of the common mistakes in maintenance cleaning applications found in electronic assembly operations.
KYZEN
Why AI Is Redefining the Future of Commercial Power Infrastructure
AI is reshaping commercial power infrastructure, forcing companies to redesign distribution for dense, variable loads. Firms deploy modular systems, real-time monitoring, storage, and advanced cooling to handle surging demand, cut failures, and boost efficiency.
EE Times
NASA shuts off another Voyager science instrument to save power. The spacecraft is now 15 billion miles from Earth
NASA has powered down Voyager 1's Low-energy Charged Particles instrument to conserve dwindling energy, extending the spacecraft's deep-space mission. Engineers aim to keep the 1977 probe transmitting rare interstellar data as it continues exploring beyond the Solar System.
Sky At Night Magazine
Sponsor
BEST-Inc.

5 Keys to Component Lead Tinning Success
Re-conditioning of electronic components mitigates gold embrittlement, eliminates tin whiskers enhancing quality and sustainability prior to soldering.
BEST Inc.
Shutdown vs. Sleep: What's Better For Your PC?
Choosing between sleep and shutdown depends on usage. Sleep enables quick access for short breaks but still consumes power, while shutdown saves energy, extends lifespan, and suits longer inactivity. Users should balance convenience, battery use, and device performance needs.
BGR
Structural Electronics for Automotive Interiors
This project evaluates structural electronics for automotive interior use. The car interior application is back-seat-control-panel and the structural electronics.
Technical Paper
Inside the strategy of Anthropic's CFO as AI spending surges
Anthropic accelerates growth as CFO Krishna Rao drives massive fundraising and infrastructure expansion. Backed by Google and Nvidia, the firm invests heavily in compute capacity to meet soaring demand for its Claude AI models.
Digitimes
Samsung Galaxy S27 Will "Most Likely" Ship With A Silicon-Carbon Battery With A Much Higher Lifespan
Samsung is reportedly nearing a breakthrough in silicon-carbon batteries, aiming to boost capacity beyond 5,000mAh while improving lifespan. After years of cautious development and testing setbacks, its Galaxy S27 series may finally debut the advanced technology.
wccftech
Sponsor
Summit-Interconnect

Fast PCBs, Fully Assembled
Need it fast? Summit delivers quick-turn PCB fabrication and assembly on compressed timelines—no shortcuts, just speed and precision from one source.
Summit Interconnect
Quantum model explains how single electrons cause damage inside silicon chips
UC Santa Barbara researchers uncover a quantum mechanism where a single energetic electron breaks silicon–hydrogen bonds, driving device degradation Their model explains longstanding puzzles and helps design reliable semiconductors for electronics.
Phys.org
Today's Sponsor
Ormet-TLPS
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
Test Your Knowledge
During its earliest days in development, Windows was known by what name?
See answer below.
Industry Press
KYZEN Announces Exclusive Partnership with Manufacturers' Rep Restronics
KYZEN proudly announces its strategic partnership with Manufacturers’ Representative REStronics Southern California. As an extension of KYZEN's commitment ...
KYZEN
EPTAC Opens New Corporate Headquarters and Training Facility in Salem, NH
EPTAC will celebrate the relocation and expansion of its corporate headquarters and training facility at 7 Stiles Road, Suite 300, Salem, NH, on Thursday, April 23, 2026, ...
EPTAC
SMTA Announces Technical Program for 2026 High Reliability
The SMTA announced the finalized program for the High Reliability: Strategic Technology Advancement Research Forum which takes place on May 6-7, 2026 in Olathe, Kansas, ...
SMTA
Special flux for nitinol & nickel in high-performance military applications
Miniaturization, robustness, adaptive functions, and maximum reliability are crucial factors in the performance of defense and aerospace technologies today. ...
Emil Otto GmbH
RBB Systems Honors David Hill for 45 Years of Service and Contribution
RBB is proud to recognize David Hill, Document Specialist and Materials Specialist, for his 45-year service anniversary. David began his journey with RBB in February ...
RBB Systems
FlashPCB Welcomes Adam Broeckert, EIT as Manufacturing Engineer
FlashPCB is pleased to announce the addition of Adam Broeckert, EIT, as Manufacturing Engineer. In this role, Broeckert will support FlashPCB's production operations, ...
FlashPCB
MORE INDUSTRY PRESS
Aim-Solder
Sponsor
Smart-Sonic

Safe and Effective Cleaning with 440-R
VOC-free stencil cleaning chemistry! Cleans any solder paste from any fine-pitch stencil when used as part of the Smart Sonic stencil cleaning process. Learn more.
Smart Sonic
Quote of the Day
Problems are only opportunities in work clothes.
Henry Kaiser
Sponsor
SEIKA-America

McDry Ultra-Low Humidity Storage Cabinets
McDry dry cabinet for MSL components and desiccators provide optimal ultra-low humidity and moisture-proof storage for IC packages.
Seika
AI-Technology-Inc
Cartoon of the Day
Cartoon
"How come you never bring me any of your stupid ideas anymore?"
Copyright © Randy Glasbergen
Sponsor
Intraratio-Corporation

Unlock Operational Success with Insights from Global Leaders
4-part series focused on achieving excellence while facing the operational challenges of advanced electronics and SMT manufacturing. No registration required.
Intraratio
Plasmatreat-GmbH
Test Your Knowledge Answer
During its earliest days in development, Windows was known by what name?
Answer: "Interface Manager," which was First developed in 1981 by computer scientist Chase Bishop who named the software project. Marketers at Microsoft later decided that the name "Windows" was more consumer-friendly.