➀ X-FAB inaugurated a $600 million production line in Sarawak, Malaysia, expanding wafer capacity to 40,000 per month and doubling output of its 180nm BCD-on-SOI technology;

➁ The BCD-on-SOI platform offers high-performance advantages for automotive, industrial, and medical applications, including extreme temperature resilience and enhanced reliability;

➂ The expansion, supported by Malaysian government partnerships, aims to meet rising global demand and drive innovation in smart automotive systems and medical devices.

➀ Latest CHIIPS podcast episode features Dr. Kelly Scanlon discussing sustainability in electronics manufacturing;

➁ Focus on circular economy, Evolve project, and global industry collaboration for sustainable practices;

➂ Highlights the role of the Global Electronics Association (formerly IPC) in driving environmental initiatives.

➀ Fraunhofer IWU introduced the flexROLLmax, a system expanding hollow embossing capabilities to large-format components like electrolyzer plates, complementing its existing BPPflexROLL for fuel cells;

➁ The system leverages a continuous roller process, reducing costs and process forces by 10x, while enabling high-throughput production and flexibility for diverse applications;

➂ Developed under the H2Giga project (funded by the German Federal Ministry), it will debut at the B2B Production Forum, showcasing advancements in hydrogen system manufacturing and digitalized forming processes.

➀ Intel may pause or discontinue development of its Intel 14A and successor nodes if external customer commitments are not secured, impacting future manufacturing plans;

➁ CEO Lip-Bu Tan emphasizes investments in Intel 14A will depend on confirmed customer needs and consistent execution to build trust;

➂ Intel will honor existing commitments for 18A production but future node expansion remains uncertain without major external contracts.

➀ Nidec opened a 108,000m² motor and inverter factory in Qingdao, capable of producing 18 million motors and 20 million inverters annually;

➁ The facility integrates production, R&D, and logistics, focusing on industries like home appliances, refrigeration, and automotive electronics;

➂ Plans to expand to automotive electronic manufacturing and collaborate with local governments for new opportunities in China.

➀ James Eisenhaure has officially been appointed as CFO of Californian contract electronics manufacturer Naprotek, following his interim role since early 2025;

➁ He led the company through its FY2024 financial audit, ensuring timely and efficient processes;

➂ Founded in 1995, Naprotek provides PCB assembly, RF components, and system integration for defense, space, medical, and semiconductor equipment markets.

➀ Intel showcased its next-gen 18A manufacturing node at the VLSI Symposium, highlighting significant performance and efficiency gains for mobile chips with Panther Lake;

➁ The 18A node introduces RibbonFET and PowerVia, promising up to 25% higher clocks or 38% lower power compared to Intel 3;

➂ Panther Lake is set to be the first product to use 18A in volume, aiming to reclaim leadership in client CPUs.

➀ The article highlights the importance of Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) in aligning PCB designs with fabrication capabilities, including adjustments to trace spacing, solder mask clearances, and pad shapes;

➁ It emphasizes ECAD-MCAD collaboration to address mechanical constraints and ensure seamless integration of PCB assemblies with enclosures;

➂ Simulation and iterative design refinements are crucial for validating performance and reliability under real-world conditions.

➀ Adani Group and Zoho suspended high-profile semiconductor projects, but experts view these as strategic pivots rather than failures, reflecting challenges in tech partnerships and market viability;

➁ India's semiconductor roadmap continues with approved projects like Tata Electronics’ $11 billion fab in collaboration with Taiwan’s PSMC, targeting automotive and industrial applications;

➂ Structural hurdles include delays in government incentives, technology transfer complexities, and uncertainties in domestic demand, yet the government maintains optimism for 'Made-in-India' chips by 2026.

➀ Empa researchers developed machine learning (ML) algorithms to optimize laser-based metal processing, such as 3D printing (Powder Bed Fusion) and welding, reducing costly preliminary trials by two-thirds through real-time optical data analysis;

➁ The ML system uses FPGA chips for precise, real-time control of laser parameters during welding, addressing material defects and variability to improve consistency;

➂ This approach enhances accessibility for non-experts, potentially enabling broader industrial adoption of advanced laser manufacturing techniques.

➀ Surveys indicate Americans lack interest in returning to factory jobs, and higher wage demands could undermine U.S. company profitability;

➁ Decades of outsourcing to low-cost labor markets have shifted U.S. employment toward the service sector, which now accounts for over 70% of nonfarm jobs;

➂ U.S. manufacturing employment has declined from 30% in 1950 to 8% in 2024, driven by productivity gains and globalization, with China emerging as the global manufacturing hub.

➀ China accounted for 29% of all global manufacturing in 2023, according to the United Nations Statistics Division;

➁ The Chinese manufacturing sector added $4.8 trillion to the country's total economic output in 2023;

➂ The U.S. manufacturing sector's contribution to the economy has significantly decreased, now accounting for just over 10% of the country's added value.

➀ Design for X has expanded to include considerations for tariffs;

➁ This now encompasses aspects from testing to manufacturing and security;

➂ The integration of tariff considerations aims to optimize the entire design and production process.

➀ Nvidia 正在与其制造合作伙伴合作，设计和建设工厂，首次在美国完全生产 Nvidia 人工智能超级计算机；

➁ 该公司与领先的制造合作伙伴已委托超过一百万平方英尺的制造空间，在亚利桑那州的凤凰城生产 NVIDIA Blackwell 芯片，并在德克萨斯州生产人工智能超级计算机；

➂ Nvidia Blackwell 芯片已开始在亚利桑那州凤凰城的台积电芯片工厂生产，公司正在德克萨斯州建设超级计算机制造工厂，与富士康在休斯顿合作，与纬创在达拉斯合作，预计两家工厂的大规模生产将在未来 12-15 个月内启动。

➀ Siemens Digital Industries Software has acquired DownStream Technologies, a provider of manufacturing data preparation tools for PCB design.

➁ The acquisition aims to expand Siemens' presence in the small and medium-sized business (SMB) market.

➂ DownStream Technologies' CAM350 suite of tools allows customers to verify and automatically prepare PCB design data for fabrication, reducing errors and streamlining the transition from design to production.