BUCKS, UK – The Smart Group will host a four-part webinar series on multilayer printed circuit board manufacturing.

The series, Guide to Modern Multilayer Manufacture, will provide a step-by-step guide to the circuit board manufacture and controls and inspection requirements to obtain trouble-free assembly, the UK-based trade group said in a press release.

Webinars include:

Mar. 6, PCB Manufacture Part 1: laminate types, resist application, imaging/striping, etching and AOI, and oxide treatment.

Apr. 3, PCB Manufacture Part 2: layup, lamination procedures, drilling including laser, die smearing and metallization.

June 11, PCB Manufacture Part 3: resist application, imaging/etching, copper plating, solder mask and solder finishes.

July 5, PCB Manufacture Part 4: legend, routing, electrical testing, inspection and QC, and PCB storage.

Four PCB engineers will offer advice during each webinar. For more information, visit www.smartgroup.org.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES — An electronics industry rebound is starting to take hold here and companies are publicly discussing hiring plans for 2012.

WASHINGTON, DC -- Worldwide semiconductor sales reached a record $299.5 billion in for 2011, up 0.4% year-on-year, according to the final numbers from SIA.

BOISE, ID -- Steve Appleton, 51, chief executive of Micron Technologies, died in a small plane crash here this morning.