Proposed legislation would provide a 25 percent tax credit for domestic PCB purchases and $3B for US manufacturing, as officials warn that dependence on Chinese-made boards poses growing supply chain and security risks for AI systems. Cadence expanded its ChipStack AI Super Agent to Level-5 autonomy, claiming the platform can independently execute chip design.

Cadence introduced what it calls the industry's first fully autonomous virtual AI design engineer.

Researchers developed a 3D-printed soft robot that moves using pneumatic logic rather than electronics, demonstrating peristaltic locomotion across surfaces including concrete and confined pipes while providing insights into friction control and electronics-free robotic design.

CJ Clark of Tomachie joined PCB Chat to discuss how the company's AI-driven platform analyzes PCB schematics, optimizes DfT strategies, identifies test point locations, and generates layout-readiness scores to support design teams.

A four-armed robot called Helios is being developed for spacecraft operations, using dual arm pairs for stabilization and manipulation to perform cargo handling, maintenance and other tasks in microgravity environments.

Researchers reviewed advances in stretchable neuromorphic electronics that combine sensing, memory and processing in soft, brain-inspired materials capable of stretching up to 140 percent.

Schurter offers DTCD/DTCJ 1.27mm pitch SMT DIP switches.

CE3S reintroduces Vision LUXO benchtop magnifiers.

Master Bond introduces MasterSil 981-LO low-outgassing silicone.

PCEA will host a webinar on flex and rigid-flex circuit design June 24 featuring Dave Lackey covering manufacturability, materials, tooling and fabrication considerations.

PCEA issued a call for abstracts for PCB East 2027, seeking technical presentations on PCB design, fabrication, assembly, test, packaging and additive manufacturing ahead of the April event in Worcester.

Registration is open for PCB West 2026, which will feature more than 120 hours of PCB design and assembly training this September in Santa Clara.

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.

US defense officials and industry advocates warned that reliance on Chinese-made PCBs poses supply chain and security risks as AI demand grows, backing legislation that would provide a 25 percent tax credit for domestic PCB purchases and $3B for US manufacturing.

Global semiconductor equipment billings rose 14 percent year-over-year to a record $36B in the first quarter, driven by AI-related manufacturing investments.

Notebook OEMs reported shipments fell 33% sequentially in April due to weakened channel stocking momentum and a high base period.

Foxconn raised its second-quarter outlook after stronger-than-expected performance, driven by accelerating demand for AI servers, with April-May revenue climbing 34 percent year-over-year.

Nano Dimension said it has narrowed its strategic review to a small number of alternatives and expects to announce its long-term direction in the coming weeks.

Kitron is using AI initiatives, a standardized ERP strategy built around IFS software, as it pursues a goal of doubling annual revenue to €1.5B.

Green Circuits has been acquired by Metatron Private Equity.

Reliance on Chinese EV technology is growing among Indian automakers, with Tata Motors set to use a Chery-developed platform for select Avinya models.

Technica USA appointed Will Gutierrez business development/account manager for its West South-Central territory.

Reflow AI – Before There was Artificial Intelligence
PCD&F/CIRCUITS ASSEMBLY

On-Demand Additive Nanomanufacturing of Electronics in Microgravity: Towards In-Space Manufacturing of Electronics and Functional Devices
NPJ Advanced Manufacturing

Stretchable Neuromorphic Electronics for Future Human-Integrated Intelligence
International Journal of Extreme Manufacturing

EVENTS

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.