Focus on PCB 2026 – Meet the exhibitors: NI

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Focus on PCB 2026 – Meet the exhibitors: NI

Ahead of Focus on PCB 2026, we take a closer look at the key players in the next edition.

This time, we spoke with Andrea Riva, Sales Country Manager at NI, who shared what participating at the show in Vicenza means and the company’s perspective on the challenges and opportunities shaping the PCB industry.

1. National Instruments is recognized for its modular platforms for measurement, control, and automation, widely used in advanced test systems. Which solutions or innovations will you be showcasing at Focus on PCB 2026, and how do NI technologies help manufacturers and test integrators improve quality, efficiency, and flexibility in PCB and PCBA testing processes?


At Focus on PCB 2026, NI will showcase the latest evolution of the PXI platform, featured in the new releases launched at the end of January, which redefine the cost-to-performance ratio. The new PXI chassis, controllers, and measurement modules maintain the performance, synchronization, and reliability that have always distinguished NI, while offering a much more accessible entry cost.
For PCB and PCBA manufacturers and system integrators, this means more flexible, scalable, and automated test systems, capable of improving test quality, reducing cycle times, and quickly adapting to product evolution — delivering unprecedented economic value.

2. Focus on PCB is a highly specialized event dedicated to the printed circuit board supply chain. What value does this context offer for presenting National Instruments technologies to PCB manufacturers, assemblers, and system integrators involved in testing and electronics production?


From our perspective, Focus on PCB is the ideal environment to showcase the value of NI technologies to the PCB supply chain, as it focuses on real-world testing and electronics manufacturing needs. In this context, we can demonstrate how standardization and modularity — enabled by PXI, LabVIEW, and TestStand — make it possible to build scalable, reusable, and consistent test systems across R&D and production.
For PCB manufacturers, assemblers, and system integrators, this translates into reduced complexity, lower costs, and shorter time-to-market, by investing in future-proof platforms that can evolve with products and production volumes.

3. From your perspective, which technological trends are transforming the world of test and measurement systems for the electronics and PCB industry, and how do National Instruments’ modular and software-defined platforms (such as PXI, LabVIEW, and TestStand) enable companies to address these challenges in PCB production and testing?


Based on NI’s experience and that of our customers, the world of test and measurement systems for the electronics and PCB industry is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by a convergence of key technological trends: increasing product complexity, shorter time-to-market, greater design variability, and — increasingly — the adoption of Artificial Intelligence across the entire test lifecycle. AI is evolving from a post-process analysis tool into an active element in the design, development, and execution of test systems.
In the PCB domain, this means:

  • automatic generation of test sequences.
  • optimization of test plans.
  • predictive detection of defects and process drift.
  • reduction of redundant tests while maintaining coverage.

With Nigel and the upcoming new releases, we are introducing assisted code generation capabilities in both LabVIEW and TestStand, enabling engineers to:

  • accelerate test software development.
  • reduce manual errors.
  • lower the entry barrier for multidisciplinary teams.
  • while maintaining the control and traceability required in industrial environments.