PCB Chat

RM 155: Ultra HDI Panel Discussion - Recorded Live at SMTAI

Today's podcast comes from the Surface Mount Technology Association SMTAI trade show.

 
As the demand for smaller, faster, and more powerful devices grows, the need for innovative solutions in circuit design has never been greater. UHDI's represent a significant leap forward, allowing for more connections in a smaller space, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in electronic assemblies.

But what exactly are ultra-high-density interconnects? Essentially, they refer to circuit boards with incredibly fine pitch interconnects, enabling higher functionality and complexity in much smaller form factors. 

This breakthrough is transforming industries like consumer electronics, aerospace, automotive, and medical devices, where space, weight, and performance are critical factors.

In this episode, we’ll explore the advantages UHDI's bring to the table, from increased design flexibility and performance to better thermal management. We'll also discuss how UHDI's are set to impact the assembly process. With tighter tolerances and more intricate layouts, UHDI assemblies will require new approaches to assembly, inspection, and reliability testing.

To better explain UHDI technology, we’ve put together a panel of subject matter experts. Tara Dunn, director of training and education at SMTA, will moderate a panel discussion with other subject matter experts, including Anaya Vardya, CEO, of American Standard Circuits; Chrys Shea from Shea Engineering Services; Michael Sivigny, owner and general manager of CeTaQ Americas; and Oren Manor, Op-Center core program business director at Siemens Digital Industries Software.

UHDI is here! And if you haven’t seen it on your assembly line yet, it’s coming, so stay tuned as we unpack the future of ultra-high-density interconnects and what it means for the next generation of technology.

RM 154: Thermal Profiling Best Practices

One of the most critical aspects of manufacturing high-reliability circuit assemblies is thermal profiling during the reflow process. 

Whether you're designing, engineering, or troubleshooting circuit assemblies, understanding how temperatures during the reflow process influences the quality and performance of your assemblies is essential. 

In this episode, we’ll break down what thermal profiling is, why it’s important, and how it affects everything from solder joint integrity to component placement. 

We’ll also explore the challenges and solutions involved in getting your thermal profile just right, ensuring your circuit assemblies are built to last in a competitive and demanding industry.  And we review thermal profiling best practices, common mistakes, and the various capabilities of thermal profilers.

Mike Konrad's guest is Mark Waterman. Waterman is the Electronics division manager at ECD, a manufacturer of thermal profiling equipment founded in 1964. He began his career at ECD in 2006.

Chapters:

00:00:00 Understanding Thermal Profiling in Circuit Assemblies 

00:05:19 Evolution of a Manufacturing Business 

00:08:00 Understanding Thermal Profiling in Electronics Soldering

00:10:36 Strategies for Circuit Assembly Insulation 

00:13:10 Challenges in Sourcing Obsolete Electronic Components

00:15:48 Challenges in Heat Dissipation for 5G and 6G Electronics

00:18:54 Choosing the Right Thermocouple: K Type vs. Others

00:21:35 Challenges with High-Temperature Materials

00:24:04 Determining Thermal Couples for Optimal Measurement

00:26:39 Innovations in Profiling Equipment Technology

00:29:24 Innovations in Display Screens and Risk Mitigation

00:31:55 Cost-Benefit Analysis of Data Loggers 

00:34:31 Importance of Calibration Intervals in Industry 

00:37:02 The Role of Data Logging in Thermal Profiling

00:39:30 Optimizing Reflow Oven Settings with Predictive Software

00:42:18 Easy Button vs. Detailed Work: Software Development Insights

00:45:20 Common Mistakes in Using Thermal Profilers 

00:47:37 Optimizing Thermocouple Measurements in Electronics 

00:50:08 Understanding Thermal Barriers and Heat Management

00:52:22 Understanding Thermal Dissipation Challenges

00:54:59 The Importance of Third-Party Auditors in Manufacturing

00:57:32 Insights on Thermal Profiling and Bespoke Solutions

00:59:54 Podcast Contact and Closing Remarks

 

RM 153: Contract Manufacturing Best Practices with Adrian Leal

If you're part of the electronics landscape, you've likely encountered the role contract manufacturers play — and it's a critical one. These specialized partners bridge the gap between design innovation and full-scale production, bringing efficiency, expertise, and flexibility to the table.

As companies seek to meet growing demand for advanced electronic products, contract manufacturers are increasingly relied upon to provide cost-effective, high-quality assembly services. Whether it's managing supply chains, ensuring compliance with industry standards, or accelerating time to market, their contributions have become indispensable. In today's episode, Mike Konrad explores how contract manufacturing works, why it's so vital, and what trends are shaping the future of this essential industry.

Adrian Leal serves as USA business development manager for Teltonika EMS and is president of the Houston SMTA Chapter. With over 30 years of experience in the manufacturing industry, he has worked extensively as both an end-user and a service provider. Throughout his career, he has held diverse roles including process engineer, manufacturing engineer, quality engineer, field engineer, and sales engineer.

In 2003, Leal became the first engineer from the oil and gas industry to earn the prestigious Process Engineer certification from the SMTA. From 2006 to 2015, he voluntarily took on the role of ESD Subject Matter Expert for SLB, where he developed an internal ESD program that remains in use today.

Leal talks about his transition from an OEM to a contract manufacturer and recommendations on how to choose the most appropriate contract manufacturer.

PCB Chat 137: The Q2 PCB Design Software Market

Sales of software for printed circuit board and multichip module design surged 8.2% to $399 million in the second quarter ended in July, continuing a long recovery, the ESD Alliance announced today.

Our guest Wally Rhines offers his typical informed assessment of the latest market numbers, noting the particular strength in core areas such as analysis and library data management tools. And he discusses how the rapid rise of EDA startups today compares to a similar upswing in the 1980s. 

 

 

 

PCB Chat 136: Jim Rathburn on UDHI Using LCPs

Jim Rathburn may not be a household name in the printed circuit industry, but maybe he should be. A self-styled serial technologist and innovator, Rathburn holds more than 80 patents covering the gamut of high-density printed circuits, materials and semiconductors.

As founder and president of Precision Circuit Technologies, Rathburn helps commercialize the Minneapolis area company’s high-performance, high-density printed circuits, electrical interconnects, and advanced materials for the next generation of semiconductors, electronics, and systems.

He discusses PCT's technologies, in particular with liquid crystal polymer, and its use of both additive and conventional processes to build lines and spaces down to 6 microns. He also details PCT's zero-discharge processing, and licensing approach.

RM 152: High-Reliability Solder Paste Selection Best Practices

As the demand for more durable and dependable electronics continues to rise across industries, the choice of soldering materials, such as solder paste, plays a pivotal role in determining the reliability of these devices. We'll discuss how selecting the right solder paste can influence performance and longevity, and we'll hear from an industry expert about the latest advancements and best practices in soldering material technology. 

Mike Konrad's guest is Ebad Rehman, regional product manager at MacDermid Alpha Electronics Solutions. He has a master's in technology from Illinois State University and has led multiple technical and strategic projects for MacDermid Alpha, including new product development and technology development projects, using lean and agile methodologies. He’s also planned and developed processes for the Power Electronics group and the Aftermarket Enhancement group to drive efficiencies and effectiveness. 

Whether you're a seasoned engineer or someone new to the electronic assembly industry, this episode will equip you with the knowledge to make informed decisions that enhance the reliability of your electronic assemblies. Join us as we explore the critical intersection of materials science and electronics reliability.

 

Chapters:

00:00:00 Importance of Soldering Materials in Electronics Reliability

00:02:06 Evolution in Soldering: From Lead to Lead-Free

00:03:53 Trends in Automotive Industry Adaptations

00:05:59 Understanding High Reliability in Different Industries

00:08:04 Enhancing Material Reliability for Safety-Critical Applications

00:10:12 Classifications of Reliability in Electronics 

00:12:29 Selecting Solder Paste for Wearable Devices in Harsh Conditions

00:14:29 Ensuring Reliability in Electronics 

00:16:27 Understanding Electrochemical Reliability in Circuit Design

00:18:27 Understanding No-Clean Solder Paste Reliability 

00:20:29 Choosing the Right Powder for SMT Applications

00:22:37 Understanding Type Numbers and Their Industry Impact

00:24:44 Addressing Environmental Concerns in Soldering Materials 

00:26:52 Achieving Sustainability Goals with Recycled Tin 

00:29:00 The Benefits of Zero Discharge Practices

00:30:56 Thermomechanical and Electrochemical Reliability Challenges

00:32:59 Emerging Trends in the Electronics Industry

00:34:54 Challenges in Thermomechanical and Electrochemical Reliability 

00:36:53 Standardization and Industry Collaboration

00:38:56 Best Practices for Consumer Buying Habits in Electronics

00:41:05 Future Trends in Electronics Reliability 

00:43:16 Embracing Change in Electronics Assembly Industry

00:45:12 Evolving Soldering Materials and Environmental Standards

00:47:01 How to Engage with the Reliability Matters Podcast

 

 

PCB Chat 135: Duncan Haldane of JITX

JITX is a San Jose-based developer of PCB design automation tools. The company's novel platform takes design concepts and convert them into schematics, circuit design, and component placement, among other features.

Duncan Haldane, CEO and cofounder, talks with Mike Buetow about the JITX platform, which proposes to rethink and simplify the way electronics are designed by using common language instead of machine code to realized complex ideas as a product design, overcoming legacy technology, and working on the desktop instead of the cloud. 

And (teaser alert), listen for an announcement about the premiere PCB Design Community event taking place on October 9 at PCB West at the Santa Clara (CA) Convention Center.

RM 151: Optical Inspection System Best Practices

Two episodes ago, in RM 149, we talked all about automated optical inspection. Today we're exploring the impact of less automated inspection Technology, that being optical microscopes.

From commercial, class 1 electronics to high-reliability class 3 electronics, the intricate electronic devices we rely on daily are assembled with astonishing precision. This precision wouldn't be possible without the aid of advanced optical microscopes. These remarkable instruments allow technicians and engineers to inspect, analyze, and ensure the quality of electronic components down to the minutest detail.

In this episode, we'll uncover how optical microscopes have impacted electronic assembly, enhancing productivity, ensuring reliability, and driving innovation. 

One of the unique benefits microscopes provide, particularly in hand soldering applications, is the ability to view and solder the assembly under high magnification through the microscope. Obviously, this is not something any AOI system can perform.

But microscopes are not limited to soldering applications. One of the most critical applications of optical microscopes in the electronic assembly industry is the inspection of circuit assemblies for quality assurance. Circuit assemblies are the heart of many products, comprising numerous, highly miniaturized components and connections that must be flawlessly integrated. Even the smallest defect, such as a microscopic crack or an improperly soldered joint, can lead to significant malfunctions or failures.

Optical microscopes enable detailed inspection of these assemblies, allowing quality control professionals to identify and rectify issues that would be invisible to the naked eye. 

By providing high-resolution images and magnification, these microscopes help in detecting defects, ensuring correct alignment and polarity of components, and verifying the integrity of solder joints. This meticulous inspection process is crucial for maintaining the reliability and performance of electronic devices, ultimately ensuring customer satisfaction and, in many cases, safety.

We'll hear from two industry experts who will share insights on the latest technological advancements and how these tools are indispensable in maintaining the high standards of modern electronics. Nili Walp is marketing manager at Vision Engineering, a manufacturer of microscopes design for various industries, including the Electronics assembly industry, where she has worked for over eight years. Walp earned a bachelor's in communications from Boston University.

Richard Nagel is vice president of sales and marketing at Vision Engineering where he has worked for over 21 years. Nagel and Walp will share insights on the latest technological advancements and how these tools are indispensable in maintaining the high standards of modern electronics.

 
Chapters:
00:00:00 - Impact of Optical Microscopes on Electronic Assembly
00:02:18 - Latest Technological Advancements with Industry Experts.
00:04:49 - Vision Engineering's Origins and Innovations
00:07:40 - The Invention of the Boroscope
00:09:57 - The Importance of Magnification in Electronics Assembly
00:12:34 - Advancements in Microscope Technology
00:15:07 - The Game Changer in Microscopy: Eyeless Microscopes
00:17:34 - Ergonomic Advancements in Microscopy
00:20:06 - Advancements in Microscope Technology
00:22:29 - Applications of Microscope Technology
00:24:56 - Types of Microscopes in the Biological Sciences Industry
00:27:38 - Microscope Applications and Considerations
00:30:20 - The Value of Human Intuition in Inspection
00:33:06 - Common Challenges in Microscopy
00:35:52 - Illumination for Surface Texture 
00:38:30 - Common mistakes when purchasing microscopes
00:40:59 - Choosing the Right Microscope for Your Needs
00:43:35 - Microscope Illumination Techniques and Considerations
00:45:57 - Practical Magnification Levels in Electronics Industry
00:48:23 - Purchasing the Right Microscope
00:50:58 - Vision Goggles in Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality
00:53:43 - Demand for Technological Advancements in Younger Generations
00:56:19 - Ergonomics and Productivity in the Workplace
00:58:47 - Learn more about reliability matters podcast

RM 149: AOI and X-Ray Best Practices

In today's episode, we're exploring automated optical inspection (AOI) and x-ray inspection technology within the electronics assembly industry.

Joining Mike Konrad are two experts who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table.
Joel Scutchfield is general manager of SMT and Semicon business operations & director of sales at Koh Young, manufacturers of automated inspection and precise measurement systems with its headquarters in Seoul, South Korea, and R&D centers around the world. Scutchfield has been with Koh Young for just under 10 years.

Jesper Lykke is CEO at Viscom, a manufacturer of inspection technologies, in particular for AOI and x-ray inspection, with headquarters in Hanover, Germany and offices worldwide. Lykke has been with Viscom for 14 years.

Both Scutchfield and Lykke are widely considered subject matter experts on inspection technology.
In this episode, we'll delve into the principles and applications of AOI and x-ray inspection, discussing how these technologies are revolutionizing the electronic assembly industry. We'll explore the latest trends, challenges, best practices, and future directions, providing you with a comprehensive understanding of how these inspection methods are critical to maintaining high standards in electronics manufacturing.

Whether you're an industry professional, a tech enthusiast, or just curious about the intricacies of electronic assembly, this episode promises to offer valuable insights and expert perspectives on the inspection technologies that are driving both innovation and quality in the field. So, sit back, relax, and join us for an enlightening conversation about inspection technology. 

PCB Chat 134: Zachary Feuerstein on Supply Chain Management

Zachary Feuerstein founded his latest venture in 2022 after running into problems purchasing basic white goods and consumer electronics due to the post-Covid supply chain disruptions.

That company, Breadboard, was officially launched with the very modest goal of revolutionizing the electronics supply chain management industry.

Designed to automate and expedite BoM processing, optimize component spend, and automate quoting processes, the Breadboard platform now boasts more than 60 EMS customers.

Feuerstein joins PCB Chat host Mike Buetow to explain the platform and his "Eureka" moment.