When most people think about artificial intelligence (AI), they picture self-driving cars, smart speakers, or chatbots.But AI and machine learning (ML) are starting to make waves in the world of PCB design, manufacturing, and supply chain management too — and the impact could be huge. Smarter Designs, Faster Builds AI-powered tools are helping engineers design
After a turbulent few years of pandemic-driven shortages, things are finally looking up in the world of electronic components.Lead times are improving. Prices are starting to stabilize. Panic buying is mostly behind us. But while the worst may be over, new risks are emerging that smart companies can’t afford to ignore. The New Risks to
The global printed circuit board (PCB) market is gearing up for strong growth. In fact, recent industry forecasts project a 5.5% expansion in 2025, fueled by technological advancements and booming demand from sectors like electric vehicles (EVs), AI servers, and next-generation consumer electronics. For businesses building or relying on electronics, this is more than just
In today’s fast-moving tech world, small is powerful. Whether it’s the smartwatch on your wrist, the fitness tracker in your pocket, or the sensor monitoring a patient’s heart rate, compact and flexible electronics are leading innovation. And behind many of these advances is a quiet hero: the flexible printed circuit board (FPCB). Flexible PCBs offer
Fewer Headaches, Better Builds: The Case for a Specialized Partner If you’re managing electronics manufacturing projects, you know how quickly things can get complicated. Between sourcing components, coordinating vendors, tracking shipments, and packaging kits for assembly, the workload adds up—and pulls you away from your real priorities. Doing it all in-house might seem like the
Tariffs used to be a line item. Now they’re a moving target. For anyone sourcing electronic components, tariffs and duties have become a frustrating wildcard. One month, your part comes in with minimal fees. The next, it’s carrying a 25%+ surprise markup. The Liberation Day tariffs have only added fuel to the fire. And if
"In Stock" shouldn't be read as a question. We’ve all seen it: a part listed as "in stock" or with a "2-week lead time" that mysteriously turns into six. The reality is that supplier-provided lead times are often estimates—sometimes outdated, sometimes overly optimistic, and sometimes just plain wrong. For engineers and buyers trying to build
Silicon Safeguards: Securing the Circuit Board Supply Chain Part 3: The Human Factor in Cybersecurity “Amateurs hack systems; professionals hack people.” (Schneier, 2011) In the first two parts of this series, we have looked at some of the base-level concepts to explore to begin to protect your company from cybersecurity threats. Through some planning and
Silicon Safeguards: Securing the Circuit Board Supply Chain Part 2: Implementing Effective Cybersecurity Controls Introduction to Effective Cybersecurity Implementation After understanding the importance of cybersecurity in circuit board manufacturing, as discussed in Part 1, the next step is to delve into the practical aspects of implementing effective cybersecurity controls. In a manufacturing landscape where threats
Silicon Safeguards: Securing the Circuit Board Supply Chain Part 1: Emphasizing Cybersecurity Best Practices in Circuit Board Manufacturing Introduction to Cybersecurity in Manufacturing When selecting vendors for their manufacturing projects, our customers have several factors to consider, such as timelines, quality, and expertise. Cybersecurity responsibility must also factor into the decision. Cybersecurity is like a
