The Test Connection President Bert Horner discusses the company’s continued growth in milaero, medical, automotive and industrial controller markets, and in established technologies such as bed-of-nails and in-circuit test as well as computed tomography X-ray. Bert also offers an update on the expansion of The Training Connection’s educational efforts, which he hopes will eventually reach colleges and even high schools.

DirectPCB’s Greg Papandrew discusses the challenges his customers are facing today, such as finding the right materials and dealing with long wait times. He explains why competition is a positive thing, and why companies shouldn’t have the majority of their business with one supplier. As Greg says, don’t accept any price as a final offer, build up your vendor bench, and don’t wait for your supplier to fire you.

In this interview, Jeff De Serrano discusses MCL’s recent shift into more advanced, high layer-count PCBs, their new global manufacturing partners, and the company’s steady increase in sales. Jeff points out the need to be proactive when seeking quotes, understanding that today’s quote may not be good next week, much less next month. And he explains MCL’s investment in AI, which should be fully integrated by next year.

Embedded resistors are favored by engineers facing increased miniaturization challenges because of their ability to free up board real estate. Ohmega-Ticer’s John Andresakis explains why embedded technology may offer the perfect mix of reliability and flexibility for developers of AI servers, accelerators and advanced networking equipment, and some of the unique design issues that embedded resistors can bring.

Russell Shepherd has spent decades in test and inspection. He explains the challenges that his customers are facing today; one of the biggest is not understanding the test requirements for each part. He also discusses the need to interpret IPC test and inspection standards accurately, the reliability issues that are obscured by miniaturization, and why PCB designers must have a thorough understanding of how a board is manufactured if they want to preclude reliability challenges. As Russell says, designers need to get out and talk to their board shop.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the electronics industry, creating new opportunities for innovation, automation and improved efficiency. At PCB West 2026, industry professionals discuss the growing role of AI in electronics manufacturing, engineering and business operations. This interview explores emerging AI technologies, their potential applications and the opportunities and challenges associated with adoption. As AI continues to evolve, understanding its capabilities and practical implications will be increasingly important for companies looking to remain competitive in a rapidly changing technology landscape.

Digital technologies are creating new opportunities to improve efficiency, collaboration and innovation across the printed circuit board industry. At PCB West 2026, this interview features a discussion with Zenode on the evolving role of digital solutions in electronics engineering and manufacturing. The conversation highlights the importance of modernizing industry workflows, connecting technical expertise with emerging technologies and exploring new approaches to addressing the challenges facing PCB designers and manufacturers in an increasingly competitive and technology-driven marketplace.

Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) remains a critical consideration in modern PCB design as increasing circuit densities, higher operating frequencies and faster signal speeds introduce new engineering challenges. At PCB West 2026, this interview explores the importance of EMC in electronic product development, including design practices, interference mitigation and the relationship between PCB layout and electromagnetic performance. The discussion highlights the value of addressing EMC early in the design process to improve product reliability, reduce costly redesigns and support regulatory compliance.

As printed circuit board technology continues to evolve, manufacturers face increasing demands for precision, reliability and process innovation. At PCB West 2026, this interview with Oak-Mitsui Technologies provides an opportunity to explore developments in PCB materials and manufacturing technologies. The discussion focuses on the importance of advancing material capabilities, supporting increasingly complex circuit designs and addressing the technical challenges facing the electronics industry. Continued innovation in PCB materials and fabrication processes is essential to meeting the performance requirements of next-generation electronic products.

Digital transformation is reshaping electronics manufacturing as companies seek greater efficiency, visibility and control across their production operations. At PCB West 2026, this interview with Cofactr explores the growing importance of digital solutions in managing electronics manufacturing workflows and supply chain operations. The discussion highlights opportunities to improve material traceability, streamline procurement and inventory management, and strengthen collaboration throughout the manufacturing process. As electronics production becomes increasingly complex, integrated digital platforms can help manufacturers improve operational efficiency and respond to changing market demands.

As electronic systems operate at higher frequencies and faster data rates, maintaining signal integrity and electromagnetic compatibility becomes increasingly challenging. At PCB West 2026, this interview explores the importance of electromagnetic field behavior, PCB stackup design, grounding and effective signal return paths. The discussion emphasizes how understanding fundamental electrical principles can help engineers reduce interference, improve circuit performance and avoid costly design errors. Applying these principles early in product development is essential for achieving reliable, high-performance electronic systems.

As printed circuit board technologies continue to evolve, engineering expertise and industry collaboration play an increasingly important role in advancing electronics design and manufacturing. At PCB West 2026, this interview explores the challenges and opportunities facing PCB professionals, including emerging technologies, technical education and the importance of sharing industry knowledge. The discussion highlights how continued investment in engineering capabilities, professional development and collaboration can help the electronics industry address increasingly complex design requirements and support future technological innovation.

Advanced materials play a critical role in meeting the increasingly demanding performance and reliability requirements of modern printed circuit boards. At PCB West 2026, this interview with Qnity explores the importance of materials technology in supporting innovation across the electronics industry. The discussion provides insight into the relationship between material selection, manufacturing processes and electronic performance. As PCB designs become more complex, collaboration between materials suppliers, engineers and manufacturers remains essential to developing reliable, high-performance electronic products.

As PCB designs become increasingly complex, collaboration between engineering, fabrication and assembly teams is essential to achieving reliable, manufacturable products. At PCB West 2026, this interview explores the importance of design for manufacturability, technical education and stronger communication throughout the electronics development process. The discussion highlights the value of practical engineering experience, industry collaboration and continued professional development in addressing evolving design challenges. Connecting design intent with manufacturing capabilities helps reduce costly errors, improve product quality and accelerate innovation.