Princeton researchers developed a motorless soft robot that uses embedded flexible PCBs and targeted electrical heating to produce programmable movement. Simmtech is investing $275M in new PCB substrate capacity to meet demand for AI servers. 

AI efficiency could cost us the next generation of experts.

Princeton University researchers developed a motorless soft robot that combines 3D-printed liquid crystal elastomers with embedded flexible PCBs, using targeted electrical heating to trigger programmable folding and movement.

Researchers found that optimizing moisture management during production of ion-exchange adsorbents from waste PCB non-metallic fractions could reduce climate-change impact by approximately 84 percent and cumulative energy demand by 83 percent.

Inspectis unveils micro-size optical probe tip.

Hirose releases GT37 series automotive ethernet connector.

Inspectis unveils micro-size optical probe tip.

ASMPT releases DEK TQ automated setup changeover.

Tekpak Automation unveils TD3/R series pick-and-place cell.

An upcoming PCEA webinar will look at component availability, lifecycle risk, lead times and electronics supply chain challenges.

PCEA announced 11 free technical sessions and a keynote for PCB West 2026, covering topics including AI, PCB design, signal integrity, flex, UHDI, fabrication and assembly on Sept. 30 in Santa Clara, CA.

PCB West 2026 will feature a panel examining AI, interposers, high-speed and high-current design, and optical interconnects shaping PCB design through the end of the decade.

PCEA announced two fall webinars covering the role of the PCB designer and signal routing for controlling energy, signal integrity and EMI in digital PCBs.

PCB West 2026 will feature 11 presentations on electronics assembly processes, including a half-day solder paste qualification workshop and sessions covering SMT printing, stencil design, reflow soldering and more.

PCEA will host a 3.5-hour webinar on Nov. 4 led by Susy Webb covering signal routing techniques to improve signal integrity and EMI performance.

CIRCUITS ASSEMBLY is accepting entries for the 20th annual New Product Introduction Awards, with submissions for electronics assembly products due Dec. 14.

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.

Simmtech signed a memorandum of understanding to invest a total of 400B won ($295B) to expand its South Korea capacity for next-generation substrates used in artificial intelligence (AI) servers.

TT Electronics reported a 37 percent increase in first-half adjusted operating profit to $25M and raised its 2026 outlook.

Kitron plans to build a 95,300-sq.-ft. manufacturing facility in Horsens, Denmark.

Microscreen has opened an 8,000-sq.-ft. SMT stencil manufacturing facility in Oxford, CT.

Syrma SGS Elemaster has inaugurated its 20,000-sq.-ft. Bengaluru electronics manufacturing facility.

Aurora Boardworks is growing into what CEO Gary Bales believes will be the strongest year in the company’s history, with a major new customer, 12 additional employees and a second production shift helping push projected sales above $7M.

Simtech to invest 400B won to expand AI-substrate PCB capacity in Cheongju, South Korea.

Bosch secures up to $225M in US Chips funding for its electronics manufacturing operations.

YFore opens a US manufacturing base in Georgia.

Microscreen and AGI Corporation launched the Microscreen AGI Alliance.

Pillarhouse USA appointed BRL Marketing & Sales manufacturers’ representative for selective soldering and nitrogen generation systems in Illinois and Wisconsin.

The Charge of the Bucket Brigade
PCD&F/CIRCUITS ASSEMBLY

Spatiotemporal Mapping of Anisotropic Thermal Transport in Gan Thin Films Via Ultrafast X-ray Diffraction
Nature Communications

Interfacial Reactions of Sn-19Bi-19In Solder on OSP and ENIG Surface Finishes During Thermal Aging
Journal of Electronic Materials

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.