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October 28th, 2025
News and Resources for PCB Design, Fab and Assembly Professionals Subscribe •  Advertise •  PCD&F •  Circuits Assembly •  Tell A Friend
THE LEAD

AI is driving a wave of change across global industries, from data centers to next-generation telecom infrastructure. Companies are accelerating innovation to boost efficiency and strategic positioning in a rapidly shifting landscape. See this and more in today’s headlines.

TECH NEWS

What sets Samsung QLED TVs apart from conventional LED TVs? This video teardown reveals some secrets.

Patent filings for AI data center cooling systems have jumped more than 50 percent since 2019 as the tech industry looks for ways to cut energy use from growing AI workloads.

Circuits Assembly has announced the winners of its 2025 Service Excellence Awards at SMTA International, recognizing top EMS providers and assembly suppliers for outstanding customer service.

Samsung and SoftBank are teaming up to use AI to make future 6G networks faster, smarter, and more efficient.

Tagarno demonstrates AI-Powered T50 4K microscope.

Parmi unveils AI teaching and inspection technology.

PCB West 2025 reported a 3.5 percent year-over-year attendance increase, drawing a strong international crowd to its Santa Clara conference and exhibition.

ITW EAE showcases MPM Edison II ACT printer.

EVS releases EVS 18KLFHS and EVS 500LFCABF solder recovery systems.

Data I/O expands its Unified Programming platform.

Circular Electronics Partnership released an addendum to its design guide to help companies turn circular economy goals into real product design actions by bridging the gap between corporate strategy and engineering execution.

Tesla is recalling about 239,000 vehicles in the US due to a potential circuit board short that could result in the rear-view camera becoming inoperative, the automaker said.

Duke University engineers have demonstrated the ability to print fully functional and recyclable electronics at sub-micrometer scales.

Circuits Assembly opened entries for its 2026 NPI Awards, recognizing innovations in electronics assembly equipment, material and software.

PCEA hosts an Oct. 28 webinar on RF PCB design and the transition from HDI to UHDI technologies.

Looking for networking opportunities? Join the PCEA Discord server, bringing together engineers and designers from around the world on a private channel for discussing technical questions and career opportunities.

ROI
Sensors: The Unsung Catalyst Behind AI’s Value
While the world is flummoxed over the up-and-down nature of tariffs and the political drama they create, one bright spot in the news the past year or so, and impacting our industry more than any, is artificial intelligence, or AI.

PETER BIGELOW

Peter Bigelow





















BUSINESS NEWS

Scanfil posted 10 percent sales growth in the third quarter compared to the same period last year, supported by rising demand in key sectors.

Apple has begun shipping AI servers from its Houston factory, which will continue to expand.

NCAB Group reported third quarter net sales increased 6 percent to SEK 949M (101M).

As the US races to unearth domestic supplies of minerals critical for its defense systems, it’s equally urgent to transform those minerals into capability through the development of a comprehensive national strategy to boost domestic electronics manufacturing.

Inventec, a top 10 global ODM/EMS, has secured a 625M syndicated loan to support its AI server development.

The European Union has added nine Russian companies from the logistics, industrial manufacturing, and microelectronics sectors to its latest sanctions package against Moscow.

China export restrictions on rare earth minerals potentially leave the US defense industry without a key input across a range of weapons systems, but the prime contractors are downplaying concerns over supply challenges.

Global smartphone shipments increased 2.6 percent year-over-year to 323M units in the third quarter, IDC said.

Sanmina cofounder Milan Mandaric has passed away.

Nano Dimension promoted John Brenton to chief financial officer.

FOCUS ON BUSINESS
Leadership and Horse Sense
Leadership and interpersonal skills are essential for all electronics manufacturing services (EMS) management team members. These skills become even more critical in program management and sales roles, where individuals often need to execute with little or no authority over the teams they rely on.

SUSAN MUCHA

Susan Mucha






















TECHNICAL ARTICLES

Cold Paste, Hot Mess
PCD&F/CIRCUITS ASSEMBLY


Electromigration in Eutectic Gold-Tin (80Au20Sn-wt%) Solder Joints
Journal of Electronic Materials


Printed Circuit Board Substrates Derived from Lignocellulose Nanofibrils for Sustainable Electronics Applications
Scientific Reports


EVENTS

Oct. 19-23: SMTA InternationalRosemont, IL
Oct. 22: NEDME 2025, Hillsboro, OR
Oct. 28: PCEA Member Webinar: RF PCB Design and UHDI TechnologyOnline
Oct. 28-30: Nepcon ASIAShenzhen
Oct. 28-30: CPCA Show PlusShanghai
Oct. 29: PCEA Portland (OR) Chapter MeetingPortland State University Electronics Prototyping Lab
Nov. 3-Dec. 1: PCEA Training Certified Printed Circuit Designer CourseOnline
Nov. 12: PCB CarolinaRaleigh, NC
Nov. 18-21: ProductronicaMunich
Dec. 3-5: HKPCA ShowShenzhen
Apr. 28-May 1: PCB East 2026Worcester, MA
May 26-29, 2026: IEEE Electronic Components and Technology ConferenceOrlando, FL
June 9-11: ZIW Americas 2026Dallas, TX
June 15-16: PCB Detroit 2026Detroit, MI


 

BOOK-TO-BILLS/MARKET TRENDS
             July Trend
EMS 1.23 Down
ICs 20.6% Up
PCBs 1.00 Down
Component Sales Sentiment 121.6 Up
Changes are year-over-year.    

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ABOUT

PCB Update is a digital newsletter for PCB design, fabrication and assembly professionals, brought to you by Printed Circuit Engineering Association™. E-mail industry press releases or links to the editors of CIRCUITS ASSEMBLY or PCD&F: pr@pcea.net.


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