This week I’ve been in Rosemont, Illinois, attending SMTA International, pressing my finger more firmly on the pulse of the electronics manufacturing industry. It’s always good to see long-time colleagues and make new connections. The sentiment on the show floor is best described as “disciplined.” There is plenty of work to be done, and the internal systems must adapt to accommodate the demand.

It’s impossible to deny the impact of AI in manufacturing, engineering, and electronics. Every day, we read about new AI platforms, automated design tools, predictive analytics, intelligent inspection systems, and digital assistants capable of generating reports, reviewing documentation, or analyzing vast amounts of data in seconds. The excitement is justified because AI is transforming the way we do business.

This is the first of eight columns on creating and implementing a digital strategy for automation. This does not mean every fabricator needs to hire a staff of automation engineers. In my previous column, I proposed that much of the automation and digitalization needed in PCB manufacturing can be accomplished by employees you already have, using readily available technology and a do-it-yourself approach.

There is a single decision at the center of every die-attach conversation right now that isn’t as much about chemistry as it is about control. This is most evident because silver prices have experienced significant volatility, evolving PFAS requirements are increasing regulatory and customer scrutiny, qualification windows are shrinking, and the packages that support AI, automotive, and power infrastructure must meet demanding performance and reliability requirements.