PCIF. ADE gets off to a flying start

Citation

Haken, B. (1999), "PCIF. ADE gets off to a flying start", Circuit World, Vol. 25 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/cw.1999.21725cab.001

PCIF. ADE gets off to a flying start

PCIF

ADE gets off to a flying start

Keywords ADE, PCIF

It is the PCIF's belief that design is the single most important path to competitiveness. In 1997, it embarked on an initiative to raise the PCB designers' awareness of the impact exerted by the market, their company and their decisions upon future products' success. This initiative was known as "Albert". As design status development is not something you can tackle at a single stroke, the PCIF has set up the ADE (Association of (PCB) Design Engineers), its aim being to increase the designers' knowledge and skills base to a level that enhances his or her ability to create cost effective designs which manufacturers can produce problem free.

As the designers are spread across the length and breadth of the UK, separate "chapters" have been set up to allow designers to attend regular meetings at a localised venue.

The first round of chapter meetings has now taken place and attracted around 50 designers per chapter. There are four chapters in the following areas ­ Scotland, the North, the Midlands and the South. As more members join, additional chapters will be created.

Since the introduction of CAD and the decline in apprenticeships, PCB designers have been losing status. It is the intention of ADE to raise the status of designers to their original position of PCB design engineer. This will be achieved by creating training programmes, workshops and other forums where we can bring today's designers up to speed as effective members of the design team.

We are adopting the IPC accreditation scheme which will be administered by SAMC (Scottish Advanced Manufacturing Centre). This will address a major problem for designers by providing a means to formally gain accreditation for their design ability.

The enthusiasm at the meetings has been overwhelming, as the designers feel that at last their plight is being recognised and addressed. This initiative will assist the UK OEMs and the supply chain to become more competitive as we enter the twenty-first century. If you are a designer or on the road to becoming one, or you feel your job effectiveness could be improved by belonging to a chapter, give Frank Coultard a call at the PCIF office on +44 (0)171 515 1166 or e-mail - fcoultard@pcif.org.uk

Alternatively, you can contact the Chapter Chairmen:

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  Scotland ­ Derek Laidlaw, Intracon Design Ltd, Tel: +44 (0) 1835 823113; E-mail: derekl@intracon.co.uk;

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  The North ­ Ben Dowding, Norcott Technologies, Tel: +44 (0) 1925 247600; E-mail: ben@norcott.co.uk

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  The Midlands ­ Jim Hurford, Dayford Designs, Stroud, Tel: +44 (0) 1453 792233; E-mail: jim_hurford@dayford.co.uk

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  The South ­ Ian Ladds, advanced Layout Solutions Ltd, Tel: +44 (0) 118 970 1707; E-mail: ianl@adv-lay-sol.co.uk

I can assure you that you will receive a welcome response.

Brian Haken, PCIF Executive Director