BUCKS, UK – A July 5 SMART Group webinar will cover all aspects of printed circuit boards, from specifications to materials to quality assurance.

Topics include writing a suitable PCB specification; relevant international standards; laminate types; solder finishes; solder mask; flex and flexi-rigid requirements; quality control; inspection; common defects and how to find and avoid them, and the importance of assessing supplier capability.

The webinar will be presented by users involved in commercial and high reliability electronics assemblies. They have experience controlling and assessing quality, purchasing, and dealing with design and production issues associated with PCBs.

The SMART Group is a UK-based trade association that promotes the use of SMT assembly.

To register, visit http://www.smartgroup.org/images/stories/webinars/PCBSpecification2011.pdf.

BLOOMINGTON, MN -- All Flex Flexible Circuits has increased its footprint and manufacturing capacity by some 30% as demand grows for its flexible printed circuits.

HONG KONG -- VTech's EMS unit reported sales of $389.7 million for its fiscal year ended March 31, up 39% from a year ago.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – The University of Virginia, Old Dominion University and the College of William & Mary are planning a research center to develop the next generation of electronics.

The Virginia Nanoelectronics Center will conduct research to produce faster, smaller and cheaper computer devices for multiple end products, including automobiles and energy-efficient homes.

The center will be affiliated with the UVA’s Institute for Nanoscale and Quantum Scientific and Technological Advanced Research.

The Nanoelectronics Research Initiative, the Virginia Microelectronics Consortium and the three schools will provide initial funding.