Get your questions answered
You can also make use of these forums, discussion groups and helplines:
Adafruit forums
The forums at Adafruit Industries are active, friendly and useful. The above links directly to the Tools section of the forum, where you can learn about SMT production equipment as well as hand tools.
SMTnet forums
Likewise the electronics assembly manufacturing forum on SMTnet is a great place to ask and answer questions.
Electronics Manufacturing—LinkedIn Group
A group for sharing specific and general information, knowledge and knowhow about electronics manufacturing.
Surface Mount Technology—LinkedIn Group
A group for SMT manufacturing/engineering professionals.
Circuitnet’s Ask the Experts
Not a traditional forum: visitors can submit questions for a panel of electronics experts to tackle. There are nearly 600 answered questions archived as of the day we included this link.
EMPF Helpline
EMPF provides a Helpline for electronics manufacturing questions Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Eastern time.
PCBs and PCB design
Wikipedia—Printed Circuit Board
A good introduction to the basics of printed circuit boards, covering materials, etching, drilling and much more.
How to Be a Circuit Board Designer
Great information on all phases of PCB design.
Trade publications
Circuits Assembly
Circuits Assembly magazine, a monthly publication available in print and digital formats, covers the products and processes of electronics manufacturing.
Electronic Design
As the title says, this one is focused on electronics design.
Global SMT & Packaging
Global magazine for electronics assembly and advanced packaging professionals.
SMT Magazine
Available online free as a flip-mag or PDF download, and also readable on tablet devices, monthly SMT Magazine is focuses on surface mount assembly of printed circuit boards.
U.S. Tech
EMS (electronics manufacturing services)-focused bi-monthly publication available in print and digital formats.
Other learning sites
Printed Circuit University
Lectures, videos, white papers and more on topics relating to PCB design, fabrication and assembly.
Sparkfun’s Tutorials A growing selection of great tutorials.
Industry associations
IPC—Association Connecting Electronics Industries
The member-driven IPC organization provides industry standards, training, market research and public policy advocacy.
Surface Mount Technology Assocation (SMTA)
SMTA is an international network of professionals who build skills, share practical experience and develop solutions in electronic assembly technologies.