ANDROID OPEN ACCESSORY DEV KIT -
With the Google announcement of its Android Open Accessory Development Kit (ADK) at Google I/O 2011, Google joined Apple in the game of allowing mobile apps to interface with accessories. The Android Open Accessory will give hardware developers, a new API and an open accessory development boards to work with. This will allow external USB hardware (an Android USB accessory) to interact with an Android-powered device in a special “accessory” mode. When an Android-powered powered device is in accessory mode, the connected accessory acts as the …

Ducommun to Acquire LaBarge
LaBarge, Inc., a provider of EMS, and Ducommun Incorporated, a provider of engineering and manufacturing services to the aerospace and defense industry, announced today that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Ducommun will acquire LaBarge for a purchase price of $19.25 per share in cash.
The transaction is valued at approximately $340 million, including debt assumed and net of cash acquired. The acquisition requires LaBarge stockholder approval and is subject to customary closing conditions. The transaction is expected to be completed in late June 2011. …

WILSONVILLE, Ore., March 18, 2010—Mentor Graphics Corporation (NASDAQ: MENT), the market and technology leader in electronic design automation (EDA) and systems analysis solutions, today announced completion of the acquisition of Valor Computerized Systems, Ltd. for net consideration valued at about $50 million. Mentor paid approximately 5.6 million shares of Mentor stock and $32.5 million in cash. Immediately prior to closing, Valor had cash of approximately $29 million. Valor’s revenues for its last reported full year ending December 31, 2008 were approximately $40 million.
Valor products are the world’s leading software for …

A little before 9am this morning, I had a great conversation with a PCB Designer in Ireland while also talking to a designer in Georgia.  No, I wasn’t in Ireland or Georgia, and no it wasn’t over the phone.  Instead we typed back and forth in a private chat, courtesy UP Media’s Virtual PCB show currently underway. Virtual Trade Shows are rising in popularity and I fully expect to see them more often in the future.  But as with anything, there are benefits and drawbacks depending on your role and …

BANNOCKBURN, Ill., USA, February 4, 2010 — Complacency with having survived the trials of 2009 is a naïve posture that, in 2010, will lead to continued struggles warns Walt Custer. The noted industry analyst and president of Custer Consulting Group will join IPC Director of Market Research Sharon Starr for the “Global Business Outlook: Where Do We Go Next?” keynote session at IPC APEX EXPO on Wednesday, April 7 in Las Vegas.
“If a company hasn’t been planning for the recovery,” Custer says, “it has considerable catching up to …

Two weeks from now, in the heart of the Silicon Valley, many of the top design firms and printed circuit board professionals will be attending DesignCon 2010.  Held at the Santa Clara Convention Center from February 1st-4th, this show promises to be a very valuable event for many.  Already the line-up of exhibitors is impressive, with exhibitors ranging from small consulting firms such as The Bogatin Group, to large, multi-national companies like Tyco Electronics.   See the full list here.
I have spoken with several individuals in the last few weeks …

U.S. Consulates Help IPC APEX EXPO Exhibitors Reach Across Oceans and Borders to Develop Business and Partnerships

BANNOCKBURN, Ill., USA, December 18, 2009 — The U.S. Department of Commerce has chosen IPC APEX EXPOTM as one of a select group of U.S. trade shows to participate in its International Buyer Program (IBP) for 2010. The event, produced by IPC — Association Connecting Electronics Industries®, was chosen by a vote of U.S. embassies, consulates and commercial centers worldwide. One measure was the show’s appeal to overseas visitors. …

The printed circuit board (PCB) industry is vital to manufacturers of computing components, automotive parts, cellular phones, flat-screen television displays and other devices considered essential to our modern lifestyles.
In addition to a large number of PCB enterprises in Taiwan, many PCB operations are located in Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Guangdong provinces.
Among them are leading PCB makers earning hundreds of millions of dollars in annual revenues and employing thousands of workers.
They also spend huge sums on environmental protection, including the disposal of manufacturing wastes from production processes and everyday operations.
The major pollution …

Paving Roads with Old Circuit Boards
With an eye to recycling, circuit boards are being used in asphalt
By Mark Fischetti
Millions of printed circuit boards from discarded electronics are tossed into landfills every year. In addition to the volume of waste, the material can leach chemicals into the soil. As an alternative, researchers at Shanghai Jiao Tong University in China are finding various ways to reuse the panels, including as an additive in asphalt.
Xu Zhenming and his colleagues stripped the boards of all components, pulverized the remains into a powder and …

Today is an exciting day for HotPCB.com!  Today marks the first significant promotion of HotPCB.  We were fortunate enough to be contacted by Andy Shaughnessy, Editor of PCB Design 007, and asked to be a guest on the Shaughnessy Report, a weekly audio interview he conducts.   It was a great experience working with Andy, and you can find all of his interviews here. The title of the HotPCB interview is “Grad Brings Fresh Viewpoint to Industry”.  Be sure to check it out!