Mike Buetow

Boston

Host at PCB Chat

President, Printed Circuit Engineering Association

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Articles

Chinese EDA Company Responds to US Tool Ban, Offers Free PCB CAD

3 weeks ago | pcdandf.com | Mike Buetow

SHANGHAI -- Saying it is responding to US government bans selling American-made design software tools to China, Shanghai Hejian Industrial Software Group today opened its key product trial and evaluation services for printed circuit board design to users for free. The company is making available its UniVista Archer, a large-scale PCB design platform that includes schematic editor and place and route capabilities.
Can DoE Program Energize PCB Technology?

3 weeks ago | pcdandf.com | Mike Buetow

Among the many surprises at PCB East this spring was the appearance of a pair of scientists from a semi-obscure (to we laypeople) government contractor called, obliquely, JLab. JLab is shorthand for Jefferson Lab, or its official name, the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (TJNAF). The facility is operated on behalf of the US Department of Energy, which has a budget larger than Jabil or Flex, and oversees, among other things, the US nuclear arsenal.
Vishay Extends D2TO35 Series SMT Resistors

1 month ago | pcdandf.com | Mike Buetow

Vishay D2TO35 series surface-mount thick film power resistors come with AEC-Q200 qualified device that delivers pulse absorption up to 15 J/0.1 s and offer power dissipation of 35W at a +25°C case temperature. Come in TO-263 (D²PAK) automotive grade package. Unique design provides 30% higher energy absorption than standard D2TO35 resistor for enhanced protection against short transient pulses.
Yamaha Debuts YRP10e SMT Screen Printer

1 month ago | circuitsassembly.com | Mike Buetow

Yamaha YRP10e entry-level screen printer has a three-stage conveyor for efficient loading and removal of boards from the print process. Core cycle time is 6 sec. Chassis is designed to prevent vibrations or deflections due to movement of the printing mechanisms.
Amphenol RF Extends SMA Connectors Line

1 month ago | pcdandf.com | Mike Buetow

Amphenol RF SMA connectors are now compatible with 0.81 mm and 1.32 mm cable, engineered for secure, routable RF performance in harsh environments. Features threaded coupling mechanism and support for up to 9 GHz. Meets demands of Wi-Fi 7 and other high-frequency applications. Tested for 500 mating cycles and built with gold-plated brass and stainless steel components. Suited for antennas, telecom and aerospace systems. Preconfigured and custom cable assemblies available.
'Crippling' Tariffs Crush Sales Sentiment in April, ECIA Says

1 month ago | pcdandf.com | Mike Buetow

ATLANTA -- Calling the tariffs levied by the US and China "crippling," the Electronic Components Industry Association said sales sentiment plummeted in April. The overall component average index score collapsed by 18.8 points between March and April as it plunged to 94.7, 16.6 points below expectations, according to ECIA's monthly survey of manufacturers and distributors.
For Design Tools, Another Record. Can It Last?

1 month ago | pcdandf.com | Mike Buetow

If a recession is indeed ahead, Wally Rhines thinks the PCB design software industry is a “great place to hide.” The figure tells the story: sales of printed circuit board design software set yet another record in the fourth quarter. The data, tracked by the ESD Alliance (part of Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International), tell a remarkable tale of growth. The industry has experienced just three year-over-year down quarters over the past decade.
Talking (Board) Shop with the Seers

1 month ago | pcdandf.com | Mike Buetow

It’s not often you get the chance to talk shop with Hayao Nakahara, Gene Weiner, Tom Kastner and David Schild. When you do, you’re best off sitting back and listening. That was the order of the day during the PCB East conference last month. Under the auspices of another media group, I was asked to moderate a panel on the future of PCB manufacturing in North America.
North American PCB Industry Shipments Slip 3.1% in March

2 months ago | pcdandf.com | Mike Buetow

BANNOCKBURN, IL — The 90-day moving average among North American printed circuit board fabricators fell 3.1% from a year ago, IPC announced today. Shipments were down 2.3% from February, but for the year shipments are up 8.7% year-over-year. The book-to-bill ratio fell 90 basis points to 1.24. It remained well above the benchmark 1.0 mark, suggesting future growth.
Element Solutions' Electronics Business Sales Rise 13%

2 months ago | circuitsassembly.com | Mike Buetow

MIAMI -- Element Solutions reported first quarter net sales at its electronics segment increased 13% to $394 million. Organic net sales increased 10%. Adjusted EBITDA was $89 million, up 6%. On a constant currency basis, adjusted EBITDA increased 9%. Element Solutions is the parent company of MacDermid and Alpha. Overall revenue was $594 million, up 3% over the first quarter of 2024. Organic net sales increased 5%. Net income was $98 million, versus $56 million in 2024, an increase of 75%.