Episodes
Tuesday Jun 28, 2022
IPC CEO John Mitchell on the Supporting American Printed Circuit Boards Act
Tuesday Jun 28, 2022
Tuesday Jun 28, 2022
Supply chain security and having access to trusted manufacturers in the US would be an ideal outcome of the Printed Circuit Board Act.
IPC President and CEO John Michell talk about how the organization helps shape the current bipartisan proposal to help bring back PCB manufacturing in the US and how this can contribute to a globally resilient supply chain.
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Show Highlights:
- John Mitchell briefly talks about his background and dives right into the topic, the Supporting American Printed Circuit Boards Act
- John emphasizes the role of the IPC as the voice of the electronics industry
- Supply chain security and having more trusted PCB manufacturers in the US would be a great outcome of the Printed Circuit Board Act
- Adapting the existing legislation on manufacturing defense products to broader use, especially with electronics
- Raise awareness of the different aspects of the electronics supply chain shortages and other issues related to it
- Eradicate the notion that PCBs are just a piece of plastic, but an essential piece in every electronic
- The IPC's influence on shaping laws relating to the electronics
- John explains IPC's role and involvement, which includes solving industry problems related, but not limited to, the workforce, supply chain, and advanced packaging issues
- The IPC SEA Tools: Standards, Education, and Advocacy
- John stresses that having manufacturers in different regions is a key to a resilient supply chain
- Identify what electronic products to manufacture where
- The Printed Circuit Board is a 60 billion industry globally, and only 3-5% of volume comes from the US
- John explains the impact of the changing administrations in the US on the current progression of different bills and legislations relating to the electronic industry
Links and Resources:
Connect with John Mitchell on LinkedIn
Visit the IPC website here
Learn more about the Supporting American Printed Circuit Boards Act of 2022
Watch John Mitchell’s previous episodes:
- 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
Watch a recent related episode: The Benefits of Diversifying PCB Industry Supply Chain
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Monday Apr 12, 2021
3 Key IPC Rules to Know, Follow and (sometimes) Break
Monday Apr 12, 2021
Monday Apr 12, 2021
Listen to this episode with Gerry Partida.
Altium 365: Where the World Designs Electronics
Show Highlights:
- Introduction to Gerry Partida and Summit Interconnect
- Why knowing and following IPC standards are critical for Design Engineers
- AABUS: What is it, and when to use it (Edge clearances)
- Removing non-functional pads
- Watch for 3.5 mil minimum dielectric rule IPC 2221. Work around
- How to access standards, talk to your fabricator: IPC Expertise
- CTA: Follow Gerry on LinkedIn for tips and tricks
- Summit Interconnect Website
- IPC website
Links and Resources:
Gerry’s LinkedIn Profile
Summit Interconnect Website
IPC Website
DFM Article: PCB Front-End Engineering
Altium 365: Where the World Designs Electronics
Tuesday Mar 19, 2019
Why Protect Vias and What is IPC 4761?
Tuesday Mar 19, 2019
Tuesday Mar 19, 2019
Why do we need to protect vias? Here to answer is Gerry Partida, Director of Engineering at Summit Interconnect Technologies. Summit is an advanced technology manufacturer creating custom printed circuit boards. Summit focuses on complex rigid and rigid-flex products and offers extensive expertise in RF/Microwave applications. In today’s episode, Gerry will help us untangle IPC 4761 and get actionable info that you can apply to your designs.
Watch the Video here.
Show Highlights:
- IPC 4761 comprises design guidelines on seven existing methods of via protection
- Combinations: Capping one side vs the other side, dry film soldermask with soldermask over, or via plugged with solder mask capped over with soldermask or not, plated shut via epoxy filled and plated over, or via and pad also known as Type 7 which is popular for HDI (High Density Interconnect)
- Why protect Vias? To prevent solder paste from running down an open via to the other side of the board, preventing solder balls on the secondary side, moisture protection, sealing to prevent chemistry entering and becoming trapped, to ease the subsequent processes, and finally assembly
- For via protection with a surface finish like ENIG or ENEPIG, both sides of the via need to be open during the ENIG or ENEPIG process.
- IPC 6012 Class 3 now prescribes the same thickness for copper wrap plating
- Why do people fill? Primary reason is to get the via at the pad connection in the component
- When you’re talking about High Speed Digital, you don’t want to go from trace to via
- Place via in land to avoid delay and reduced real estate for routing
- Slight reduction in reliability when via is plated, epoxy-filled and plated over versus a via only plated in the final
- Peel strength is much lower when you epoxy-fill is in the center and plated over
- You have to buy IPC standards
- Encroach soldermask clearances - encroaching soldermask on top of the LAN but not in the hole is an excellent solution.
Links and Resources:
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Wednesday Dec 05, 2018
Stephen Chavez Calls on PCB Designers to Get Involved
Wednesday Dec 05, 2018
Wednesday Dec 05, 2018
Stephen Chavez is a leader at a military aerospace company, former Marine, CID and CID+ instructor as well as an Executive board member of the IPC designers council. With 28 years in the industry and heavily involved with IPC, Stephen has a passion for PCB design and fabrication. If you want to keep learning or get involved in the industry, Stephen will encourage you to get connected, step out of your comfort zone and pay it forward. Listen in and get great tips about where to find training and how to push yourself to keep learning.
Listen to the Stephen Chavez Podcast or watch the video here.
Show Highlights:
The Best Professional Development:
- AltiumLive Munich - learn more or register today
- IPC APEX, San Diego - manufacturing perspective, fabricators, if you don’t have time to get into a board shop this is the place to be, machines are running live
- PCB West - pure design for PCB designers; content is second to none
- DesignCon
- Del Mar Electronics and Design Show
- PCB Carolinas (1,000 people/ 1 day conference)
- IPC Designers Council, etc.
- CID Training
- Reading--Trade magazines - UP Media (Printed Circuit Design & Fab and Circuit Assembly) and 007 iConnect - the articles and content in these magazines are the best.
Get Involved!
- Ask around (for resources, help, mentors)
- Take Risks and take initiative--spend money, assert yourself
- Serve/Volunteer
- Networking/Relationship building
Live part of everyday outside of your comfort zone
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions--others have the same questions and dont ask!
- Expand your network, meet people
- My network comes with me in every new relationship I build
- Add value to others
- Don’t sit on the sidelines
Links and Resources:
The Digital Route, November 2018 Column
Breaking the Design Data Bottleneck, interview in iConnect007
AltiumLive Munich - learn more or register today
Altium Designer 19 - learn more or call your account manager to learn more