|
|
|
THE LEAD
Apple’s expansion in India is drawing renewed scrutiny over labor practices, while OpenAI has issued an RFP to assemble a US-based supply chain for large-scale deployment.
TECH NEWS
OpenAI has issued an RFP to build a US-based supply chain for AI hardware, robotics components and data center infrastructure, signaling a major domestic manufacturing and logistics push tied to large-scale AI deployment.
The February digital issue of PCD&F/Circuits Assembly is now live, featuring coverage on PCB vibration analysis using laser doppler vibrometry, UHDI DfM, EMS dashboards, AI impacts, and more.
Michael Sivigny explains how validating machine accuracy and force compliance uncovers hidden process variation that drives defects, yield loss and long-term reliability risks in modern electronics manufacturing.
A new Hubei University study introduces 3D LineExplore, a gridless, multilayer PCB routing method said to achieve over 98 percent routing success with shorter trace lengths and higher efficiency than leading academic and commercial routing tools.
Michael Brinkley of Axiom Electronics will examine X-ray inspection risks to radiation-sensitive components during a webinar on Feb. 26.
Registration is now open for PCB East 2026, the electronics industry’s East Coast conference and exhibition.
PCB East 2026’s exhibition hall is more than 95 percent sold out, reflecting strong exhibitor demand ahead of the April event in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Wally Rhines reviews the latest ECAD market data, including sustained year-over-year growth, regional sales shifts and employment trends across design and semiconductor tools on the PCB Chat podcast.
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.
|
BOARD BUYING
Do You Have a 2026 PCB Buying Strategy?
This is not the year for buyers to accept PCB price increases blindly. This is the year to buy PCBs like a professional who understands the job isn’t just about placing orders.
GREG PAPANDREW

|
|
|
|
|
|
BUSINESS NEWS
A new analysis argues Apple’s manufacturing expansion in India has exposed persistent labor abuses, citing supplier unrest and discrimination cases.
Amazon and Google are carving out meaningful inroads into Nvidia’s AI chip dominance, generating billions in revenue from in-house processors now deployed across large-scale data center builds.
Sony’s decision to hand control of its TV business to TCL reflects a deliberate retreat from low-margin hardware.
Aimtron Electronics has acquired ICS Company, an EMS located in Decatur, IL.
Avedon Capital Partners has taken a stake in Eurocircuits.
SIIX and Hagiya New Techno Co. agreed to an EMS partnership for building automotive electronics.
Kitron secured an additional $5.9M order for autonomous defense electronics, raising the total agreement value to about $14.3M.
Milwaukee Common Council members pressed representatives promoting a local Foxconn development about diversity at every level of the project.
AdvancedPCB installed a Galaxy 25µ CIMS AOI system at its Orange County facility.
Three Chinese firms, including PCB equipment maker Han’s CNC, are seeking to raise more than $2B through Hong Kong offerings.
Connexion Technologies has entered into a strategic partnership with OMR Italia.
MacDermid Alpha Electronics promoted Bruce Moloznik to business integration leader, senior vice president.
|
|
BEST PRACTICES
Mastering Signal Integrity: From Fundamentals to AI-Powered Analysis
Ever wonder what makes our modern electronic devices so incredibly reliable, whether they’re processing gigabits of data or simply ensuring a sensor reads accurately? While many factors contribute, one unsung hero often working behind the scenes is signal integrity (SI).
STEPHEN V. CHAVEZ

|
|
|
TECHNICAL ARTICLES
Building Relationships with AI Technology
PCD&F/CIRCUITS ASSEMBLY
AI-Enhanced Sorting Enabling Direct, High-Purity Urban Mining of Tantalum: A Novel Pathway from E-Waste to Critical Materials
Resources, Conservation & Recycling
Quad-Band Metamaterial Absorber with High Shielding Effectiveness Using Bold X-Shaped Ring Resonator
Journal of Electronic Materials
EVENTS
| Feb. 2-5: |
Pan Pacific Strategic Electronics Symposium, Hawaii |
| Feb. 3-4: |
EIPC Winter Conference, Aix-en-Provence/Marseille, France |
| Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27, Mar. 6: |
Certified Printed Circuit Design Training, Online |
| Feb. 17-19: |
Chiplet Summit, Santa Clara, CA |
| Apr. 22-23: |
Del Mar Electronics Show, San Diego, CA |
| Apr. 28-May 1: |
PCB East 2026, Worcester, MA |
| May 15, 22, 29, June 5, 12: |
Certified Printed Circuit Design Training, Online |
| May 26-29: |
IEEE Electronic Components and Technology Conference, Orlando, FL |
| June 9-11: |
ZIW Americas 2026, Dallas, TX |
| June 15-16: |
PCB Detroit 2026, Detroit, MI |
| June 24-26: |
Vietnam Intcomm 2026 & Electronic Vietnam 2026, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam |
| Sept. 29-Oct. 2: |
PCB West 2026, Santa Clara, CA |
|
|
|
| BOOK-TO-BILLS/MARKET TRENDS |
| |
Nov. |
Trend |
| EMS |
1.17 |
Down |
| Semiconductors |
15.3% |
Up |
| PCBs |
1.12 |
Up |
| Component Sales Sentiment |
120.1 |
Down |
| Changes are year-over-year. |
|
|
|
Brought to you by the Printed Circuit Engineering Association
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|