OnTrack: The PCB Design Podcast

In this episode, Carl Bugeja, an Electronics Engineer and a well-known Youtube Creator, talk about his experience designing electronics, how he started, and his fascination with inventing new things. He will also share some exciting robotics projects he is currently working on. Watch through the end, and make sure to check out the additional resources below.

Altium 365: Where the World Designs Electronics
Watch the video, click here. 

Show Highlights:

• Carl's background in PCB and electronics design 02:02
  • A startup with a friend, Carl designed cool stuff such as drones, bluetooth, and alarm techs
  • He created and and documented his electronics projects which he started sharing on Youtube
• Carl first started using Altium Designer® when he was in his third year in the University, and love using it since then
• Carl shares his design process, and his approach to PCB design
• The first project that Carl shared on YouTube is a PCB Motor 04:28
  • How PCB Motor project got started 06:39
  • Soft robotics
• The benefits of using flexible PCBs 09:36
  • There’s nothing you can’t do with a flexible PCB
  • An opportunity to play around and create a new concept
• Trial and error is Carl’s way to learning and improving his skills with creating flex PCBs 10:41
• One of Carl’s most challenging project and most viewed video on Youtube is his Jumping PCB 13:12
• Check out Carl's recent projects 18:46 
  • Ping-Pong RGB Ball with 242 LEDs
  • Bendable Heater Sticker
  • PCB Robot In-Wheel Rotor Optimisation
• Carl's firmware writing skills is acquired from his actual projects and work experience 17:00
• The importance of building a good relationship with your manufacturer 22:38
• Check out Carl Bugeja’s YouTube Channel here

Links and Resources:

• Watch Carl talks about why he love using Altium Designer^®
• Connect with Carl Bugeja on LinkedIn
• Carl Bugeja’s YouTube Channel
• Carl Bugeja’s Hackaday Page
• Altium Designer Free Trial

Connect with Zack on LinkedIn
Full OnTrack Podcast Library
Altium Website
Download your Altium Designer Free Trial
Learn More about Altium Nexar

Altium 365: Where the World Designs Electronics

The aerospace industry has driven the high-reliability design in the center focus. Juan Frias, our guest for today, is a very experienced PCB designer who has designed for Aerospace, Military, Industrial, Semiconductor, Communications, Medical, and Automotive; he will be sharing the tips for a successful design for manufacturability. We will also tackle Flex and Rigid-Flex design. This conversation will be fun and insightful, so watch through the end and make sure to check the additional resources below.

Altium 365: Where the World Designs Electronics

Watch the video, click here.

Show Highlights:

• High-Reliability Design WITH Manufacturing, how did the Aerospace industry influence this focus?
• The advantages of working closely with the manufacturing team
  • Focus on improving the design process and eliminating back and forth communication and miscommunications
  • Understanding what will work BEST for your manufacturer
• Working with flex and rigid-flex designs
  • Space savers
  • Reliability  and stability advantages
  • Choosing between flex versus a rigid-flex board, what are the considerations?
• Can you use BGA on Flex?
• How does the manufacturer influence the material selection
• Board-spin on existing design–the systemized process of ordering materials that are running low
• The design preparation process for fabrication
• What do designers need to know about stiffener
• The importance of creating a prototype to save time and money
• PCB Validation, test and Inspections, who does what?
  • Typically the customers are the only ones who can do a test with the product because they have the entire system on their end
  • PCB designers perform the electrical tests and control impedance lines
• Identifying a good designer to do business with–-local vs. overseas
• See you at the AltiumLive 2022. Register here

Links and Resources:

AltiumLive 2022 Connect: Now open for registration
E-Book: Navigating PCB Manufacturing: Part 1
Three Common PCB Design Mistakes You Can Spot in Your Gerbers
How to Successfully Design a BGA
Connect with Zach Peterson on LinkedIn
Watch Zach’s latest Altium Academy courses on Youtube
Read Zach’s articles on Altium’s resource hub
 

Full OnTrack Podcast Library
Altium Website
Download your Altium Designer Free Trial
Learn More about Altium Nexus

Altium 365: Where the World Designs Electronics