June 16, 2026

The Numbers Don't Lie: Reading the Global EMS Data for 2025 Global EMS data shows AI-driven demand lifting markets while Europe falls 2.9% amid sharp West declines. Despite job cuts and insolvencies, 42% of firms lift margins, revealing a split industry balancing resilience with structural strain. Global Electronics Association

Sponsor AIT ORMET® TLPS for Component Attach AIT ORMET®TLPS is proven for outstanding reliability for component attaches and MLCC build-up for high temperature applications beyond 175ºC Ormet® TLPS

PCB prices are up 40% in a month because of a material most people have never heard of A shortage of high-purity PPE resin from Saudi Arabia's Jubail complex disrupts global PCB production, drives board prices higher, and tightens electronics supply chains. Analysts warn prolonged shortages could lift costs and delay output of critical tech hardware. TechSpot

Salvaging Electronic Components: A Reliable Method for Reducing Electronic Waste and Ensuring Economic Reuse Component salvaging provides a reliable and consistent method of harvesting electronic components, reducing electronic waste, minimizing fabrication of new components, and ensuring economic reuse for automated assembly. Technical Paper

Worldwide Server Market Revenue Surpasses $122 Billion in the First Quarter of 2026, Driven by AI Infrastructure Demand IDC reports global server revenue hit $122.6B in 1Q26, up 30.4% YoY as AI infrastructure demand surges. GPU servers dominate 56% share, while supply constraints in DRAM and NAND limit growth. Non-x86 platforms gain rapidly worldwide driven by AI. IDC

Sponsor vCONNECT: Your Next Level of Digital Connectivity Discover vCONNECT: Analyze inspection data, monitor machine performance, predict maintenance needs, store data securely and access AI tools and the latest Viscom News. Viscom SE

Engineering Is Critical to Boosting Food Security An IEEE smart agriculture report says meeting rising food demand will require integrated technologies like automation, sensing, data analytics, and digital twins. systems-level design to boost productivity, sustainability, and food security. IEEE Spectrum

Reliability of Copper, Gold, Silver and PCC Wirebonds Under Operation In this paper, a detailed study of the electrical and mechanical degradation of wirebonds under high temperature exposure is presented. Technical Paper

Technical Papers ■ 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 ■ The Analysis of Variance: Drawing Conclusions from Data That Are Correct, Unambiguous, and Defensible ■ PCB Rework Evolves, With X-ray a Constant Support MORE TECHNICAL PAPERS

Sponsor X-Ray Inspection Verifies Quality of Complex PCBs A Netherlands-based PCB supplier relies on real-time X-ray inspection to ensure the quality of HDI, hybrid, multi- layer, flex-rigid & other complex boards. Glenbrook Technologies

Hon Hai partners with French firm on data centers Foxconn and Schneider Electric are joining forces to build next-generation AI data centers, combining expertise in computing, manufacturing, and cooling. Their partnership aims to deliver energy-efficient, modular, standardized infrastructure that can scale to meet surging AI demand. Taipei Times

Mark Zuckerberg Admits Meta 'Made Mistakes' as AI Reshapes 20% of Its Workforce Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg acknowledged mistakes during a major restructuring that cut 8,000 jobs and shifted 7,000 employees into AI roles. He pledged no further layoffs in 2026 while boosting employee programs as Meta sharply increases AI investment. Entrepreneur

Adiabatic & Isothermal Humidification for Electronics Manufacturing The need for including humidification into a well-rounded electronics manufacturing facilities’ ESD program is discussed. Technical Paper

Sponsor 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.

This Study On Gen Z Smartphone Users Debunks A Generational Smartphone Myth Gen Z may not be as phone-averse as stereotypes suggest. A survey found most are comfortable calling friends and family, though many hesitate to contact strangers. The findings challenge common myths while highlighting how Gen Z adapts communication habits to modern technology. BGR

This 1976 University Experiment Spun Up the U.S. Wind Industry Half a century ago, University of Massachusetts Amherst engineers proved wind power’s potential with the experimental "Wind Furnace" turbine. The project helped launch the modern wind industry, inspiring innovations that transformed renewable energy into a global power source. IEEE Spectrum

Maximum Board Temperature During Tin-Lead IPC discusses the maximum top-side board temperature for BGAs to be 150 degrees C during a tin-lead wave solder. How is this temperature was determined? Board Talk

Sponsor Removal/Milling of Underfilled Parts: AVX1000M High precision milling with zero adjacent clearance. Auto laser height measurement of board and component. Learn more. Air-Vac Engineering

Gartner Says There is an Outsized Need for AI Talent in Supply Chain Gartner reports a 387% surge in demand for AI-skilled supply chain professionals since early 2023, far outpacing overall job growth. The trend is widening talent shortages, raising hiring costs, and prompting organizations to invest in upskilling and entry-level talent development. Garter

Why Orbital Data Centers Are Harder Than Silicon Valley Thinks Companies Nvidia, SpaceX and Google invest in space-based data centers, but analysts say harsh orbital physics make them far costlier than Earth systems. Cooling radiation, and power limits persist, though they aid satellite data and collision avoidance. IEEE Spectrum

Sponsor Training for Certified IPC Specialists BEST's 7711 Training Rework Kit is designed for certification/re-certification of Certified IPC Specialists (CIS) so employees can be tested for speed, accuracy and quality. BEST Inc

How Multi-Sense Technologies Are Redefining Human-Machine Interfaces and Dexterous Robotics Multi-sense sensing technology merges touch, proximity, hover, inductive, and liquid-level detection into a single low-power platform, simplifying appliance design today while enabling compact highly sensitive tactile systems for humanoid robot hands. EE Times

Impact of BGA Escape Trace Design on Performance of Solder Joint In this paper, a comprehensive study is presented to demonstrate the impact of different BGA escaping trace design cases on solder joint reliability. Technical Paper

SpaceX stock jumps 20% in first full day of trading after record debut SpaceX shares surged 20% after IPO pushed valuation above $2 trillion. Elon Musk forecasts trillion-dollar revenue while analysts split on losses and spending. Supporters cite dominance in launches, Starlink, and space AI infrastructure. CNBC

What's The Difference Between Wi-Fi And Bluetooth? Wi-Fi and Bluetooth power today’s wireless connectivity. Wi-Fi delivers high-speed, long-range internet and multi-device networking, while Bluetooth enables low-power, short-range device pairing. Together they complement each other, balancing performance & convenience. BGR

Sponsor Low Outgassing, Glob Top Epoxy Master Bond EP17HTND-CCM is a glob top epoxy that meets NASA low outgassing specifications and forms high strength bonds to a wide variety of similar/dissimilar substrates. Master Bond

Domesticating AI – It's not coming, it's already here Home AI systems are rapidly evolving from simple voice assistants into privacy-focused tools. Powered by local models and platforms like Home Assistant, hobbyists can now build smart homes that understand natural language, automate complex tasks & keep data within the home. New Atlas