OnTrack: The PCB Design Podcast

In this episode of the OnTrack Podcast, we have a chat with Benjamin Dannan, a defense & aerospace contractor. We talk about power integrity, high amps, quality reports, vendor models, the importance of verification, and much more. 

Watch this episode

Episode Highlights:

• Intro

• Ben's Background

• Power Integrity Considerations

• Vendor Models Quality & Accuracy

• Trust & Verify

• File Density Challenges

• Die (integrated circuit) Models & Packages

• "It's Easy to Miss Things." 

• Lost in the Translation

• Ask for Quality Reports

• 2,000 Amp Challenges

Links and Resources:

• Watch Recent Related Episodes
  • PCB Packaging & the Future of Manufacturing
  • The Impact of the Defense Sector in the Electronic Industry Ecosystem
• Read Related Articles:
  • Designing for Military and Aerospace Embedded Systems Applications
  • Advantages of Flexible Circuits for Space Applications
• Connect with Benjamin Dannan on LinkedIn
• EDI CON Online 2023

Today we have a fascinating conversation about PCB manufacturing, reshoring, testing, and much more with Cody Endlich, Head of Strategic Sourcing at MacroFab. He and Tech Consultant Zach Peterson discuss the latest trends in manufacturing, procurement, and supplier dynamics. This is a wonderful convo for anyone interested in the future of PCB sourcing and manufacturing.

• 1:00 Cody's Background
• 2:59 Internalizing the Broker Process
• 4:51 What's Different about MacroFab
• 8:25 Where Are MacroFab's Partners?
• 10:17 Reshoring Efforts
• 12:35 Copycats?
• 16:09 The Sourcing Picture
• 20:43 How MacroFab Tests
• 23:42 Bringing the Process In-House
• 26:16 Turning Heads
• 29:12 A Solid Supplier Relationship
• 34:54 Will Mexico's Trading Role Persist
• 38:13 MacroFab's Biggest Growth Area
• 39:32 Going Forward

Links and Resources:

• Watch Related Episodes:
  • Macrofab: Modern EMS Solutions in North AmericaRead Related
  • Data Security, 5G and Onshore PCB Manufacturing with Dr. Rob Spalding
  • Achieving Diversified Electronics Supply Chain
• Connect with Cody Endlich on LinkedIn
• Visit MacroFab website

Today we're chatting with Jeff De Serrano, President of the American Division of PCB Technologies. We had a fascinating conversation about the changing nature of the PCB Manufacturing industry, focusing on aerospace, automation, AI, education, and much more. This is a wonderful episode for anyone interested in manufacturing and where the industry might be headed.

Watch this episode here.

Show Highlights:

• Intro
• Intro to Jeff & PCB Technologies
• PCB Technology's Broad Reach in Aerospace
• Faster Packaging Times
• Packaging Advantages at PCB Technologies
• 2D, 2 ½D, or 3D?
• You Need the Know-How, Not Just People
• Broad Capability Won't Happen Overnight
• Semiconductor Companies Packaging?
• Workforce Challenges
• Automation Pipedream?
• Getting Students into Manufacturing
• Manufacturing is Totally Different Now
• AI Has a Long Way to Go
• Growth Areas in Electronics?

Links and Resources:

• Check the recent related OnTrack Podcast episodes:

  • PCB Manufacturing Reshoring, Automation, and Sustainability with Alun Morgan

  • Plug and Play Industrial Automation? It's Only a Matter of Time

• Learn more about Altium 365®, Where the world designs electronics

• See how Octopart help you search for electronic parts. It is the most accurate and comprehensive electronic part data search engine right at your fingertips

• Connect with Jeff De Serrano on LinkedIn

• Visit PCB Technologies website

In this episode of the OnTrack Podcast, we are pleased to host a thought-provoking conversation between Tech Consultant Zach Peterson and Dr. Philip Voglewede, Professor and Associate Chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Marquette University and Director at the Omron Advanced Automation Lab.

Zach and Phil have a very intriguing conversation about the role of automation in the current and future industrial landscape. Anyone interested in the current state of industrial automation, manufacturing, or labor trends won't want to miss Phil's insights, many of which are rooted in his work for the ground-breaking Omron Lab.

Show Highlights:

0:00 Intro
1:03 Phil & Omron Advanced Automation Lab
2:13 Pushing to Fail
5:27 A Space to Play
7:28 Omron's Early Achievements
11:26 De-Siloing & Student Response
16:37 Companies Noticing Student Skills
17:47 Students Handling Complex Problems
19:39 Grappling with the Role of Automation
23:05 Where Do We Get ROI?
25:18 Management is Adapting
27:14 The TOTAL Dollar Amount of Manufacturing Costs
29:33 Industrial IoT is the Achilles Heel
33:22 Plug & Play is the Goal
35:24 Make It Like Starbucks
37:13 Who Will Lead the Needed Standardization?
39:06 Will the Big Manufacturers Cooperate to Standardize?
41:15 Standardization is Only a Matter of Time

There's a new workflow offering coming soon as a result of the collaboration between Altium and ANSYS. And today, we are joined by Joao Beck, Altium's Director of Enterprise Technical Marketing, to give us all the details. This new workflow is yet another step in Altium's quest toward a digital ecosystem, acting as an important bridge between ECAD and simulation Make sure to watch the entire episode so you can fully understand what's coming your way soon.

Show Highlights:

• 0:00 Intro

• 0:50 Altium's New Workflow Offering

• 4:53 MCAD CoDesigner in Simulation?

• 7:28 A Full Suite of Capabilities

• 8:20 What the Workflow Looks Like

• 10:40 What's in the Revision History

• 12:47 The Report

• 14:14 Version Control & Rolling Back Simulations?

• 16:16 Simulation to Altium & Vice Versa

• 21:43 Mechanical Simulation?

• 23:00 The Digital Bridge Ecosystem

• 25:38 Broader Access?

• 26:42 Who's This For?

We're joined today by the Technology Ambassador at Ventec and President of the European Institute for the PCB Community (EIPC), Alun Morgan. He and host Zach Peterson have a broad, thoughtful conversation centered on PCB manufacturing.

They chat about emerging manufacturing markets, potential for supplier buyouts, reshoring, automation, and much more. This is a fascinating conversation for anyone looking to get a current view on the international manufacturing market, as well as valuable insights into where it might be headed.

Show Highlights:

0:00 Intro

0:40 Current Manufacturing Trends in Europe

9:20 Growth in Packaging

14:49 Producing at Scale

21:31 Up and Coming International Manufacturing Markets

23:52 Big Manufacturers Getting Bigger?

29:21 Return to Buying Out Suppliers?

31:36 Variable Costs, PCB Manufacturing, & Reshoring

34:30 Pricing Pressures & Automation

40:39 Automation: Prices, Reliability, & Sustainability

45:04 Wrap-Up

Links and Resources:

• Watch more of Alun Morgan:
  • Materials Science 101 with EIPC Chairman Alun Morgan
  • Alun Morgan on the History of FR-4
  • Alun Morgan On PCB Base Materials
  • Alun Morgan On Glass Fibre Production
• Connect with Alun Morgan on LinkedIn
• Visit Octopart.com, The electronic part search engine

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We have a very interesting topic today! The impact of the defense sector on the electronic industry.

Our guest Nathan Edwards, an Executive Director, U.S. Partnership for Assured Electronics (USPAE) will share with us what goes in a Defense Electronic Consortium (DEC) and how all of these impact the electronics eco-system. We will also touch a little about supply chain diversification and onshoring efforts here in the US.

Watch through the end, this is a very special episode you don’t want to miss.

We have a very interesting topic today! The impact of the defense sector on the electronic industry.

Watch this episode here

Show Highlights:

• Introduction to Nathan Edwards
• Nathan briefly share his background in the electronic industry in both government and commercial sector
• What is United States Partnership for Assured Electronics (USPAE) and what is its involvement in the Defense Electronic Consortium (DEC)?
• Nathan explains what goes on DEC
• Small and medium size electronic companies could benefit in participating in the government ecosystem
• A study shows that 86% of 649 manufacturing firms receive less than 10% of their revenue from defense
• Electronics in the banking industry, from the tamper-proof electronics, security, authenticity, and some reliability and recovery
• Is something similar to the US Defense Electronics Consortium exist in different countries?
• Nathan discusses about the recent policy chain in the Defense Production Act, Title II
• Electronic supply chain diversification and onshoring in the United States
• A policy that will go in to effect in 2027 under the National Defense Authorization Act states that semiconductors, printed circuit boards and interconnects cannot be produced by some of the companies in China
• Nathans thoughts regarding production of electronic components in Latin America, especially Mexico
• Nathan volunteers to mentor emerging talents at his school district’s high school and middle school and get them involved in electronics sector
• The electronics industry requires a full depth of STEM from chemist, manufacturers, mathematician, designers and more
• Career Technical Education (CTE) offers biomedical tech, STEM, IT, and it is sponsored under the State Department of Educations as well as the Federal Department of Education
• Two critical things to a successful onshoring are reliable, skilled workforce, and capital to invest in the state-of-the-practice equipment

Links and Resources:

• Reinventing the business of electronics. Nexar puts your business ahead of the curve, learn more here
• Watch related, previous episodes:
  • The NEXAR Ecosystem
  • Overcoming Technological Challenges in the PCB Industry
  • The Emerging Role of Mexico in the Electronics Supply Chain
  • Achieving Diversified Electronics Supply Chain
• Connect with Nathan Edwards via LinkedIn

We are very fortunate to have Dr. Eyal Weiss for today’s episode. He is the CTO and founder of Cybord, an AI tool for detecting counterfeit hardware and electrical components.

This is a very exciting conversation. We will talk about a better, practical applications of AI in the electronics industry, outside of design.

Watch through the end and make sure to check all the additional links and resources below.

Watch the episode here.

Show Highlights:

• Introduction to Dr. Eyal Weiss, CTO and founder of Cybord an AI tool for detecting counterfeit hardware and components
• Dr. Eyal Weiss's company is using AI-based component inspection services to detect counterfeits and ensure component quality.
• The system utilizes images of individual components taken during the placement process, leveraging big data and deep learning technology.
• The software integrates seamlessly with existing pick-and-place machines' internal vision systems, making it a plug-and-play solution.
• AI plays a crucial role in understanding and processing the vast diversity of component types, enabling accurate identification and fingerprinting of individual components.
• Most component failures are due to component-level issues, not board-level failures, making it crucial to focus on component quality.
• The traditional industry approach treats components as bulks, similar to handling grains, without addressing them individually.
• AI and big data technology now enable the ability to address components as individuals, allowing for better traceability and targeted recalls.
• Dr. Eyal Weiss's company uses AI and image analysis to examine individual components, providing detailed information about quality, authenticity, and potential defects.
• By analyzing individual components using AI-based inspection, manufacturers can conduct more targeted and efficient recalls based on specific fingerprint information.
• AI-driven analysis can also identify mismatches in traceability information, preventing wrong recalls and improving recall precision by targeting smaller groups of components.
• The AI system uses image recognition and natural language processing to interpret component markings and extract relevant data for traceability.
• The individual component level traceability is recommended in the latest IPC standard (IPC-1782B) and can provide the highest level of traceability with minimal additional cost.
• The AI system's feedback allows OEMs and CMs to improve their processes and make informed decisions on recalls, ensuring a win-win situation for both parties.
• Dr. Weiss wishes everyone success and a lifetime of no recalls ;)

Links and Resources:

• Read related articles:

  • The Path Forward for Embedded AI

  • Bringing AI to Market the Easy Way

• Connect with Dr. Eyal Weiss on LinkedIn

• Visit Cybord website

• Learn more about the IPC-1782

• Visit Octopart.com, the Electronic Parts Search Engine

Sustainability in electronics encompasses environmental, social, and corporate governance aspects, and IPC aims to make it easier for companies by providing standards, education, and advocacy to navigate these complex issues.

In this episode, we are very pleased to have Kelly Scanlon of IPC to enlighten us about the importance of sustainability in the electronics industry and how you can contribute as a PCB designer.

Watch this episode here.

Show Highlights:

• Introduction to Kelly Scanlon, the Lead Sustainability Strategist at IPC
• Kelly talks about her role at IPC and her background before landing her current position
• Kelly explains that sustainability covers environmental, social, and corporate governance
• The European Union (EU) has been leaders in producing policies that have real opportunities for environmental change, in the space of sustainability
• What are the ways can companies prove their compliance to sustainability?
• Environmental sustainability in the electronics industry has well-defined processes and regulations, like the RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment) and REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) making it easier to manage and communicate compliance
• Social sustainability poses greater challenges as there is no clear process and requires multidimensional teams to address issues like worker health, labor practices, and corporate governance
• Vendor checklists and assessments are used to vet suppliers, but there is a need for increased transparency and honesty in supply chains
• Companies rely on policies and regulations to ensure compliance throughout the supply chain and are pushing for accountability and reliability from their suppliers
• Kelly Scanlon emphasizes the need for a strong community and collaboration to address environmental, social, and governance sustainability in the electronics industry.
• Designers play a crucial role in driving sustainable practices by incorporating conscientious and intentional lifecycle management in their design decisions, and by advocating to manufacturers to prioritize sustainability
• Designers can make their voices heard by reaching out to IPC and participating in workshops, case studies, and events focused on sustainability
• IPC formed its Sustainability for Electronics Leadership Council, a team with diverse geographic background and diverse supply chain background that come together sharing their insights and expertise
• Designers and manufacturers are encouraged to connect with Kelly, ask questions, contribute your expertise, and to actively advocate sustainability efforts in the electronics industry

• Tune in now and watch through the end, you wouldn’t want to miss this!
• introduction to Daniel Perez Lopez Co-founder and CTO of iPronics
• What are programmable photonics?
• The photonic field or the integrated photonic field, is mainly limited to two key volume driven market segments that are transceivers and data centers
• One of the growing benefits of photonics is to ability to configure systems, real-timebases on the specific environmental condition and specific performance
• Photonics technology as a complimentary technology to electronics
• Daniel describes the structure of iPronics’s photonics processor and how it functions
• iPronics has figured out miniaturization, they believe that reducing the form factor is a way to open their product to the bigger market
• Is there a need for a photonic iPhones and smartphones with pure photonics processor?
• Daniel enumerates the various photonics applications including in RF systems
• Cointegration of lasers with with the photonics integrated circuits is no longer rocket science
• Enhanced technology, sooner than later; integrating high performance photo ejector in the chip is no longer a challenge
• Lasers sound cool, but miniaturization or focusing on the form factor and delivering high performing systems are more of a priority
• Is there any iPronics product currently available off the shelf for integration?
• iPronics is focusing on communications space for optical based communications and management for RF communications and the processing intra data center communications

• Read Related Articles:
  • Silicon Photonics Integration Challenges in PCB Design
  • Quantum Computing Electronics vs. Photonics: New Chips Will Shift the Balance
  • Optical Interconnects in PCB Design: Progress in 2020 and Beyond
• Connect with Daniel Pérez López on LinkedIn
• Visit iPronics website

We have a seasoned favorite guest in the podcast today. John Mitchell the President and CEO of IPC talks about his new book Firing Your Hiring Habits.

This is a very insightful conversation! We tackled acquisition, retaining and upskilling talents in your team. PCB designers, aspiring entrepreneurs and leaders in any company will surely benefit from this discussion. Make sure to watch through the end and check the additional resources below.

Watch this episode here.

Show Highlights:

• Introduction to John Mitchell and his new book, Fire Your Hiring Habits
• John Mitchell shares his inspiration about writing the book and revealed who he wrote it for
• The two fundamental problems in building a team are one, acquiring the right talents, and second retaining them
• The key to retention is helping employees aspire for a career and providing them with a pathway to reach a higher goal
• “Upskilling” is also a significant factor to retaining employees especially now that we have AI’s that manage automated processes
• How is the rise of remote jobs affecting the job industry?
• A lot of people are going “hybrid” appropriate for specific positions, and found it to be very effective. Working from home 75% of the time and face to face for the rest have increased productivity and employee retention
• Human connection like in a team building can strengthen the team and can result to much better working relationships
• Does the challenges in employee turnover related to age? John has a very eye opening answer to this
• The longest chapter in John’s book talks about “company’s culture”. He explains in detail what makes a company’s culture and how sticking to principles can have a great impact to a company
• “There are always going to be limitations, but within the right limitations, there are freedoms you can afford by eliminating some things that it's just a matter of constantly asking yourself the question, "Why are we doing it this way? Why did this come about and does it still apply today?" If it does, great, we're going to keep doing it. That's an aspect we need to keep.” - John Mitchell
• Leadership loves people that brings answers
  John encourages everyone to learn from every experience, good and bad
• Talents leave, but they’ll come back to a company that matches their culture
• To sum it all up, John stresses the importance of knowing exactly the talents you need, and when you find them create an environment that works for them. Lastly, invest on them through trainings and give them room and path to grow
• “Fire your Hiring Habits” is available at Barnes & Noble. All proceeds goes to IPC Education Foundation

Links and Resources:

• Watch Previous Podcast Episode with John Mitchell
  • IPC CEO John Mitchell on the Supporting American Printed Circuit Boards Act
  • IPC CEO John Mitchell on the Impact of COVID-19 on the Electronics Supply Chain
  • John Mitchell, CEO of IPC, Visits The White House to Participate in the Pledge to America’s Workers
• Read Related Articles:
  • How to Hire the Right PCB Designer for Your Project in 2023
  • Costs of Hiring Your First Electronic Engineer
  • Guide To Attracting Engineering Talent To Your Hardware Startup
• Connect with John Mitchell via LinkedIn
• Get the book Fire Your Hiring Habits by John Mitchell

Better thermal efficiency, how to do better power efficiency, how to reduce losses, how to help people handle those thermal losses? This episode is a real treat.

Our guest Steven Schnier, Systems Engineer for Power Management at Texas Instruments generously shares the different strategies for designing better thermal and power efficient PCB.

Watch through the end, this episode is sure have great tips and strategies that you don’t want to miss.

Watch this episode here.

Show Highlights:

• Introduction to Steven Schnier, Systems Engineer for Power Management at Texas Instruments
• Steven shares that Texas Instrument is currently focusing on better thermal efficiency, how to do better power efficiency, how to reduce losses, how to help people handle those thermal losses
• What is the best strategy in regulating the LDO?
• Eliminating the LDO to lower the noise, but keep in mind that LDO does not solve all the noise issues
• Steven briefly explains the difference between low noise, ripple, and EMI
• Using a ferrite bead filter is one of most common ways to suppress noise and switching frequency
• Steven dives in the details on the appropriate use of ferrites and shares about Texas Instrument’s integrated ferrite bead filter
• Where would you add damping in that pie circuit that you might be putting on the output of that buck converter?
• Steven shares a tip on how to reduce output voltage ripple
• Ferrite beads help with EMI concerns, crosstalk concerns, and transmission line effects, but ultimately to kill the noise and the output ripple
• Steven generously shares different strategies for designing for better thermal and power efficiency
• Various ADC (analogue-to-digital converter) products at Texas Instruments
• When does a multi-phase converter applicable to use?
• Steven talks about the Texas Instruments’ TPS series module equivalents
• BGA vs QFN, when to use what?
• Texas Instruments is going with higher power density, so expect more progress on that

Links and Resources:

• Read Power Integrity related articles
• Read: The Beginner's Guide to PCB Power Integrity: From Board to Package
• Watch related videos:
  • Ferrites in Power Delivery Networks - Part One
  • Ferrites in Power Delivery Networks - Part Two
  • LDOs Vs. Switching Regulators - Power Regulation in PCB Design: Part One
  • LDO Deep Dive - Power Regulation in PCB Design: Part Two
• Connect with Steven Schnier via Linkedin
• Visit Texas Instrument Website

Lukas Henkel, our guest in this episode was already into electronic engineering at age 10.

He will share with us what made him interested in designing electronics, some details about the development of his Open-source laptop project, and will even give us a sneak peek of the actual design development on Altium Designer.

You don’t want to miss this! Watch through the end and be sure to check the additional resources below.

Watch this episode here

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Episode Highlights:

• Lukassz Lawrocki, Technical Marketing Manager at Altium makes a special appearance to explain Altium’s new initiative that encourages and supports electrical engineers to create open-source projects

• The open source Laptop project by Lukas Henkel is the first project to be supported by this new initiative

• Introduction to Lukas Henkel

• Lukas talks about his background and his first electronic project at age 10

• Robert Feranec  and the Altium OnTrack Podcast are just a couple of Lukas’s inspirations for discovering his interest in electronics and PCB design

• Lukas chose a laptop for his open-source project because of its composition—a variety of components working together

• Electrical vs mechanical, which one did Lukas find more challenging?

• The laptop project will have a full aluminum body, which is a cheaper choice for producing prototypes in a smaller volume

• Lukas talks about why the flex part of the enclosure is one of the challenging parts of his project

• While there are commercial and open-source tools to help with high-speed signal optimization, complex optimization problems are best solved through a manual process — comparing solutions and comparing the impact of each domain

• Lukas shares his transition from working with Semikron to his own company, OV Tech

• Zach and Lukas exchange experiences in running their companies - challenges, projects, and clients

• Lukas encourages everyone who is interested to learn more about his open-source laptop to follow him on LinkedIn for development updates

• Design Demonstration via Altium designer

• Watch for Lukas's next project, the Open Source Smartwatch

Links and Resources:

• Connect with Lukas Henkel via LinkedIn
• Subscribe to Robert Feranec Youtube Channel
• Watch all previous Altium OnTrack Podcast episodes
• Watch related episodes:
  • Robert Feranec and IoT Security
  • Open Source Ventilator Project (OSV) Combats Ventilator Shortage
  • Seven Design Guidelines to Break Bad Habits from Using Open-Source Designs

Read: Open Source Hardware & PCB Projects in Altium Designer

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The globalization of the electronics supply chain has been a widely discussed topic, and having Andrew Hupert, an esteemed supply chain consultant, in this episode is incredibly timely.

In this insightful discussion, Andrew sheds light on Mexico's distinctive edge in electronics production. Furthermore, he provides us with a comprehensive comparison of the logistical aspects between Mexico's and China's production processes.

Key Highlights:

• Introduction to Andrew Hupert, professor at Holt University and Supply Chain Consultant
• Andrew talks about his career in cross-cultural negotiation. From China to Thailand, Vietnam, and now to Mexico
• Compliance costs are becoming unmanageable, and logistics becoming more unpredictable, these are just a couple of the challenges in the electronics supply chain
• NAFTA (North America Free Trade Agreement ) aka USMCA, the US, Mexico, and Canada agreement puts Mexico on top of the list as far as production sites for large-scale factories
• US trade agreement with Columbia, is it possible?
• Guadalajara is in the process of becoming the software center in Mexico
• Andrew describes the challenges of sourcing electronics products from Mexico
• In China, one person knows people who can give you all the necessary connections to start and finish a project, meanwhile in Mexico, people will keep their mouths shut
• The level of workmanship in Mexico is high, however, project management is very poor
• The auto industry is the kind of business that is built for Mexico. American automakers have been producing automobiles in Mexico for over 70 years
• Mexico has EMEC which allows companies to bring in equipment, materials, raw materials, or components, all of it duty-free provided they ship it out or export it and not for sale in Mexico
• Andrew gives his insight on what the supply chain will look like
  • Only a certain percentage of the electronics production will move out of China to Mexico
  • Sophisticated design based in the US such as Texas, Arizona, California, and Mexica can handle the assembly
• Apple is moving its production to India
• “India is a tough one”, Andrew explains the challenges in producing electronics in India
• GM (General Motors) moved all their electric vehicle manufacturing to Mexico
• It’s hard to get business intelligence on Mexico, Andrew encourages companies to plan their transition or hire a project manager to do the legwork

Today we're thrilled to be joined by John Watson, Customer Success Manager at Altium. He and Tech Consultant Zach Peterson chat about the importance of education for designers, what it's like working with students, and what new opportunities there are for PCB designers in today's market.

Watch this episode here.

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Key Highlights:

• Introduction to John Watson, Altium Customer Success Manager
• John talks about his teaching profession at Palomar College in San Marcos, California where he teaches Basic and Advanced PCB design
• The Middle College Program at Palomar College was created for junior and senior high school students to give them a head start in taking college courses
• The demand for PCB designers is driven by a lack of interested individuals in the industry
• An increasing number of young engineers are drawn to computer science and software development, while the fields of hardware, electrical engineering, and PCB design are experiencing a declining interest
• John elaborates on the content covered in his comprehensive 32-week course, encompassing both fundamental and advanced aspects of PCB design
• Companies are losing their talent every single day through retirement. Now more than ever, there is a huge need to fill the pipeline
• John shares his early days as an electrician on the kitchen floor with a screwdriver in the toaster
• John finds Ai concerning, and he doesn’t allow it in his class
• John describes the kind of students he has in his class
• Overanalyzing is a typical problem for electrical engineers
• PCBs are works of art
• Zach describes a PCB designer as a “constraint manager”
• John works with different organizations to give the students a leap towards their next step after they finished his 32-week course
• From a janitor to a PCB designer, a winning moment to one of John’s students
• Give back no matter what level we’re at, this is John’s message to his peers and everyone in the electronics industry
• There are 25 spots available in John’s PCB design course, those who will not make it will be on the waiting list. You can check more information here.

Links and Resources:

• Connect with John Watson on LinkedIn
• Visit the Palomar College Website
• Check out John Watson's PCB design course outline here
• Read John Watson's Blogs

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Making wearable smart devices smarter, is one of the heavily invested research in the tech industry today.

Our guest Henry Crandall, a National Science Foundation graduate research fellow and Ph.D. candidate at the University of Utah talks about his electrical research applied to human health monitoring and diagnosis. He will also briefly talk about his involvement in the IEEE, BioHive Utah, and his exciting role as a student board member in the IPC.

Show Highlights:

• Introduction to Henry Crandall, his research, and involvement with IPC
• Henry’s research focuses on the intersection of electrostatic and biology. How electrical applications can help diagnose disease and monitor health care condition
• How Henry’s research relates to Elon Musk’s “Neuralink”
• What is Neural Engineering?
• Bioimpedance and non-invasive sensor products are already available through wearable health devices just like the smartwatches
• Henry explains briefly the difference between surface measurement and penetration depth
• Photoplethysmography is what you called the green lights on the back of your smartwatches, it uses light to monitor the cardiovascular system
• Henry’s current research in a nutshell: a Bioimpedance sensor to monitor blood pressure
• One of Henry’s goals in his research is to collect as much data and come up with an algorithm that will help smart devices to become even smarter
• Major tech companies are investing heavily in research that could help make wearable smart devices gather actual clinically relevant data
• Henry talks about his involvement in the IPC as a student member of the IPC Board of Directors
• Both Zach and Henry share their experience with the IEEE
• As a student member of the IPC board of directors, Henry gets involved in decision-making regarding governance, the strategy, and the financial sides of the organization
• IPC has definitely prioritized and put a lot of effort to attract the youth to engineering
• Henry with a health tech focus start-up called BioHive Utah

Links and Resources

• Connect with Henry Crandall on LinkedIn
• Meet Henry Crandall: New IPC Student Board Member
• Learn More About BioHive
• Read: Henry co-authored IoMT-enabled stress monitoring in a virtual reality environment and at home

Quality and reliability are a big deal when designing PCB for assembly. Our guest Tony Lentz, Chemist and Field Applications Engineer at FCT Solder will bring us to the PCB manufacturing space while tackling solder beyond basic thermodynamics and composition.

Listen or watch through the end. This is a great opportunity for PCB designers to learn about soldering products that are used for printed circuit board assembly.

Episode Highlights:

• Introduction to Tony Lentz, his background, and role as a Chemist and Field Applications Engineer at FCT Solder

• Tony talks about how they work with their clients to achieve best quality when manufacturing their PCBs

• Diving into the chemistry side of things, Tony tackles about how the blending of different metal alloys, additives, and different inter-metallics to that solder joint composition, the pads, and the components can affect the overall reliability of the PCB

• With the automotive industry’s growing electronic demands, thermal testing cycles are expanding aggressively. Recently between negative 40C to 175 C!

• Tony briefly explains the different worlds involving PCB manufacturing and assembly: solder company, plating company, components manufacturing, board manufacturing, assembly and the list goes on

• What is tombstoning?

• Head on pillow on a BGA is another difficult defect to get rid of, Tony explains what can cause this problem

• Expert Tip: A rule of thumb for large thermal pads is to cut it down somewhere between 60 and 80% of the total area covered with solder paste and then break that deposit up with some window pane type openings going through it

• Are hybrid solder reliable?

• The stability of solder alloys can differ based on the different kinds of metals, components and PCB surface finish

Let’s walk down memory lane and discover how circuit boards are being manufactured back in the 50s.

In this episode, we have the pleasure to have Gene Weiner, a true gem in the industry! This is a rare opportunity to learn from an expert who has helped shape the electronics industry for more than 60 years now.

Watch through the end, and make sure to check out the show notes and additional resources below.

Watch this Episode.

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• Introduction to Gene Weiner and a glimpse of his illustrious career in the electronics industry beginning in 1956
• Gene retrospects vividly how they used to do 3D printing and additive back in the 50s
• What would interest a young man to go down the path of electronics manufacturing back in the 50’s? Gene shares his career experience and what sparked his interest in electronics
• 1975 marked the beginning of electronic manufacturing automation development outside the US
• Captive operations versus outsourcing — a lot of electronics companies chose cost reduction over maintaining their own manufacturing operations
• Gene gives his insight about moving some manufacturing facilities to Latin American countries  like Mexico and Columbia
• What does it take to bring manufacturing back to the US?
• Just building chips in America without building the rest of the supply chain here just lengthen the supply chain. Gene stresses that volume, demand, incentives, and continuous government programs are necessary to make anchoring a success
• Gene suggests that partnering is better than hiring. Partner with talents who share a mutual vision with the company, and share benefits together

Links and Resources:

• Connect with Gene Weiner on LinkedIn
• Visit Weiner International Associates' website
• Watch the related OnTrack episodes
  • A Lookback to the Evolution of the PCB Industry with Happy Holde
  • Achieving Diversified Electronics Supply Chain
  • Overcoming Technological Challenges in the PCB Industry

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Pierce Design’s Ethan Pierce will share his insight into reverse engineering with printed circuit assemblies. We will also discuss firmware reverse engineering.

Watch this episode.

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Show Highlights:

• Introduction to Ethan Pierce and a quick preview of his upcoming webinar with the PCEA regarding reverse-engineering
• How to acquire reverse-engineering skill sets?
• Retrofitting a system versus creating a net new ecosystem of products
• Is reverse engineering cost-effective?
• Ethan advises designers to keep records and documentation as much as possible. “take as many pictures, take as many pictures, photos, notes.”

Links and Resources:

• Connect with Ethan Pierce on LinkedIn
• Visit Pierce Design's website
• Register for Ethan Pierce's Webinar: Reverse Engineering PCBs: How to Recreate a Lost Design

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