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November 12th, 2026
News and Resources for PCB Design, Fab and Assembly Professionals Subscribe •  Advertise •  PCD&F •  Circuits Assembly •  Tell A Friend
THE LEAD

Nvidia is entering a new chapter as CFO Colette Kress takes over as interim CEO following Jensen Huang's resignation after 33 years at the helm. Meanwhile, Summit Interconnect is expanding its RF and microwave PCB manufacturing capabilities with the acquisition of Mega Circuit.

TECH NEWS

SpaceX is reportedly building “Kessel,” a 72-GPU Nvidia Rubin rack for terrestrial and orbital data centers that replaces internal NVLink cable cartridges with a passive 84-layer PCB midplane.

Anthropic says Claude Fable 5.2 designed three working devices end to end, covering schematics, PCB layout, firmware, parts lists and enclosures, and the boards worked after assembly without circuit changes.

PCEA has opened its call for abstracts for PCB West 2027, scheduled for September 14–17 in Santa Clara, CA, with submissions due January 8, 2027.

NC State researchers explained single-event burnout, which could lead to electronics that better withstand radiation.

Cornell found that electric fields can change how semiconductors dissipate heat.

Stackpole highlights RPCQ Series pulse withstanding chip resistors.

PCEA opened registration for PCB East 2027, featuring 120 hours of technical training, 28 new classes and a one-day exhibition in the Boston suburbs.

PCEA will host a free webinar Nov. 17 featuring Yash Sutariya discussing global PCB supply chain disruptions, sourcing risks and strategies for strengthening supply resilience.

PCEA will host a free webinar Dec. 8 featuring Asaf Israelit discussing how AI can optimize entire BoMs, identify component alternatives, reduce costs and address supply chain risks before production.

PCEA Training announced its winter and spring 2027 schedule for the Certified Professional Circuit Designer (CPCD) program, with online classes beginning Jan. 15 and Mar. 19 and an in-person session April 26–30 at PCB East.

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.

MATERIAL GAINS
Reindustrializing for the Age of AI
AI, supply chain constraints and evolving manufacturing technologies are reshaping reindustrialization efforts, highlighting the need for a forward-looking approach to rebuilding industry.

ALUN MORGAN

Alun Morgan





















BUSINESS NEWS

Nvidia appointed CFO Colette Kress as interim CEO following the resignation of co-founder Jensen Huang, who led the company for 33 years.

Summit Interconnect acquired RF and microwave PCB manufacturer Mega Circuit.

Foxconn reported a 34 percent rise in third-quarter profit and expects strong AI rack growth in 2027.

Siemens plans to acquire Lauterbach, integrating embedded software debugging and real-time trace technologies with its semiconductor design tools

Meiko will invest another $450M in its Hoa Binh, Vietnam, PCB factory, bringing its total investment there to $800M.

Siemens raised its growth goals after record orders and expects AI to underpin data center demand for years.

Würth Elektronik and Starteam Global have turned their technical cooperation into a commercial PCB sourcing partnership.

Unichem returned to profit on new Hyundai supply deals and plans to pair its materials processing with Loomia’s flexible-circuit technology.

Quasar Medical has invested in CathPrint, whose flexible printed circuit technology embeds electrodes and conductors directly in catheters.

E Ink will partner with FCCL maker Taiflex on materials for AI high-speed transmission.

Kolon Industries posted about $30M in third-quarter operating profit and is responding to AI-driven demand for high-end CCL.

SEEING IS BELIEVING
The Last Word
Herewith a case study in mistimed malediction. Last year I visited a literary exhibit in New York City with three family members. While minding our own business, enjoying the exhibit, we had an unplanned, non-literary encounter. Two of my family members, who had not seen each other in a year, were chatting, while my other family member and I were absorbed in the exhibit.

ROBERT BOGUSKI

Robert Boguski






















TECHNICAL ARTICLES

Embedded Die Substrate Technology
PCD&F/CIRCUITS ASSEMBLY


Liquid Metal Interfaces for Component Mounting on Kirigami Stretchable Substrates
Nature


TB 26-10 Printed Circuit Board Assembly Chip Resistor Body Cracking
NASA


EVENTS

Nov. 17: PCEA webinar: Sourcing PCBs Globally, online
Dec. 3: EMS & Beyond 2026, Tallinn
Dec. 8: PCEA webinar: From Design to Production Reality: How AI Optimizes Your Entire BOM, Not Just One Part at a Time, online
Jan. 15, 22, 29, Feb. 5, 12: Certified Printed Circuit Design Training, online
Feb. 17-19: Nepcon Japan, Tokyo
Mar. 19, Apr. 2, 9, 16, 23: Certified Printed Circuit Design Training, online
Apr. 26-30: Certified Printed Circuit Design Training, PCB East, Worcester, MA
Apr. 27-30, 2027: PCB East, DCU Center, Worcester, MA
Sept. 14-27, 2027: PCB West, Santa Clara Convention Center


 

BOOK-TO-BILLS/MARKET TRENDS
             Sept. Trend
EMS 1.68 Up
Semiconductors         146%    Up
PCBs                                      1.77 Up
Component Sales Sentiment 142% Up
Changes are year-over-year.    

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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: [email protected].


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