PCB Chat

RM 171: Pick & Place Machine Selection and Optimization

Today we're turning our attention to a cornerstone of modern electronics manufacturing: pick-and-place technology.

Joining Mike Konrad is Tim Kang, CEO of Hanwha Semitech Americas. With nearly two decades of experience in the electronics manufacturing space — starting as a mechanical engineer and now leading one of the top pick and place equipment providers — Kang brings a wealth of insight into what it takes to build reliable assemblies.

In this episode, we’re covering best practices for selecting the most appropriate pick and place machine, how to get the most out of your equipment, and the common mistakes that can compromise productivity and long-term reliability.

RM 169: On the Road - Soldering

On this episode of the Reliability Matters podcast, Mike Konrad left his usual studio for the IPC Apex Expo trade show.

He interviews two subject matter experts on topics related to electronics assembly.

The guests are:

• Gerald Gardner, global product manager at Weller, a manufacturer of hand soldering equipment fume extraction systems, and precision tools.
• Mike Young – CEO OF SASinno Americas, a manufacturer of wave and selective soldering equipment.

RM 168: On the Road - Electronics Assembly

Mike Konrad interviews three subject matter experts on various topics related to electronics assembly.

The guests are:

• • Greg Beck, director of sales at Absolute EMS, a contract manufacturer.
  • Brian Watson, cofounder of HyRel Technologies, a global provider of quickturn semiconductor modification solutions.
  • Keith Sweatman, technical advisor at Nihon Superior, a manufacturer of soldering materials

 

Chris Banton of EMA Design Automation on Board Optimization

Chris Banton of EMA Design Automation joins Matt Leary, Geoffrey Hazelett and Mike Buetow to talk about how the EDA vendor's helps printed circuit board designers optimize their designs.

Recorded live on the show floor at PCB East 2025.

PCB Chat 143: Frank Mullaney and Emma Hudson of iNEMI

For early 30 years, the International Electronics Manufacturing Initiative (INEMI), has been the go-to consortium for many leading OEMs companies and their suppliers to identify and develop next-generation technology, and then help deploy it for high-volume manufacturing.

Frank Mullaney, director of roadmapping, and Emma Hudson, new project manager, discuss some of the consortium’s ongoing projects, including new content on PCB test methods, solders, and laminates.

Mullaney has a Ph.D. in electronic engineering from University College Dublin, and spent 20 years in managerial and technical roles for Bell Labs, where he worked on a range of wireless and networking technologies, and established Bell Labs’ Internet of Things research program. He is also cochair of the Complex Integrated Systems section of the INEMI Roadmap.

Hudson previously was distinguished member of technical staff at from Underwriter’s Labs, and has a bachelor’s in materials engineering from Coventry University, and worked in the automotive electronics sector in three continents. 

Tom Britton and Nataliia Matsiuk on an AI Solution for PCB Manufacturing

Tom Britton and Nataliia Matsiuk join Geoffrey Hazelett of FreedomCAD, Matt Leary of Newgrange Design and Mike Buetow of PCEA to share work on a Department of Energy program that pair scientists with real-world industry problems.

In particular, Britton and Matsiuk are focused on developing an AI solution for the PCB manufacturing industry. Among the topics discussed are roadblocks US companies face to develop a smart factory in which AI systems communicate with equipment, and how the public solution could involve an open AI model partnership.

Recorded live on the show floor at PCB East 2025.

 

 

Robert Byrne of Allspice

Robert Bryne, director of marketing at Allspice.io, joins Geoffrey Hazelett of FreedomCAD, Matt Leary of Newgrange Design and Mike Buetow of PCEA to talk about the five-year-old company's GIT hardware platform that helps hardware and electrical engineers streamline hardware design reviews.

We discuss the ECAD formats that Allspice engages with, the templates used, why GitHub matters for software teams, and the company's target markets.

Recorded live on the show floor at PCB East 2025.

RM 167: Meet the Press: A Conversation with PCEA President Mike Buetow

Today, we’re diving deep into the world of electronics manufacturing from a unique vantage point—that of the press.  

Mike Konrad's guest is someone who has spent decades at the forefront of reporting on the electronics manufacturing industry. Mike Buetow, president of the Printed Circuit Engineering Association (PCEA), has covered everything from the latest technological advancements to the biggest challenges facing manufacturers today. 

If there’s a major trend shaping the industry, you can bet Mike has written about it, analyzed it, and spoken with the experts behind it. 

In this episode, we’ll explore the evolving landscape of electronics manufacturing, from supply chain disruptions and AI-driven automation to the future of ultra-high-density interconnects and the real impact of reshoring efforts. 

We’ll also get an inside look at what it takes to cover this ever-changing industry—how stories are chosen, what topics are making waves, and what challenges lie ahead.  

00:00:00 Insights from Electronics Manufacturing Journalism

00:03:45 The Role of Printed Circuit Engineering Association (PCEA)

00:05:00 Acquisition by PCA and Leadership Changes

00:07:17 Enhancing Careers in Circuit Board Design and Engineering

00:09:36 Collaboration in Electronics Design and Assembly

00:11:47 Unique Challenges in Board Fabrication and Design

00:14:58 The Challenges of Consistency in CM (Contract Manufacturing)

00:16:17 Diverse Strategies in Electronics Manufacturing

00:18:41 The Future of Complex Component Design

00:21:08 Understanding Moore's Law and Its Implications

00:23:39 The Impact of Tariffs on Manufacturing and Consumer Costs

00:26:09 Challenges in Relocating Manufacturing Operations

00:28:26 Challenges in Building State-of-the-Art Semiconductor Fabs

00:30:47 Supply Chain Challenges and Resiliency

00:33:15 Supply Chain Vulnerabilities in Military Manufacturing

00:35:48 Impact of Trade Wars on Manufacturing Industries

00:38:12 The Role of AI in Data Analysis and Assembly

00:40:40 The Evolution of Memory Chips and Data Collection

00:43:25 AI in Pattern Recognition Across Industries

00:45:55 The Concept of Engineer Residuals: A New Incentive in Technology Adoption

00:48:33 Advice for Young Professionals in a Rapidly Evolving Industry

00:50:54 The Role of Naivety in Revolution and Evolution

00:53:15 Networking Opportunities at PCB Trade Shows

PCB Chat 142: The Latest PCB Design Software Market Trends

Wally Rhines, spokesperson for the ESD Alliance, which is part of Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International, joins Mike Buetow to share the latest electronic design automation data.

Rhines details highlights from the fourth quarter 2024, which was another record-setting period for PCB design tool sales as well as the other major EDA segments.

And he notes that while historically EDA does well in the first few quarters of industry downturns, there are concerns for what the looming tariff battles will bring down the road.

RM 166: Electronics: Down Memory Lane and a Vision for the Future

This episode is a little different in two ways.

First, host Mike Konrad recorded it not in his studio but at the SMTA Pan Pacific Strategic Electronics Symposium, affectionately known as PanPac, in beautiful Maui, Hawaii.

Each year, Mike records a Reliability Matters podcast at PanPac. Normally, the format of the show is to ask questions and the guests provide answers. On this episode however, the guests do all the talking.

The theme of this episode is Electronics: Down Memory Lane and a Vision for the Future. The guests on this episode share their view of the history of electronics from three different perspectives:

• Dr. Ron Lasky, Dartmouth College
• Dr. John Evans, Auburn University
• Dr. Tom Duval, Auburn University.

They share their perspectives on the history of the electronics industry in presentation format.

This episode contains three short PowerPoint presentations, which can be viewed in the video version of this podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlDYgZ6Hv6w