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PODCAST

PCB Chat

Recorded conversations and interviews on electronics design and manufacturing with the editors of PCD&F/Circuits Assembly, brought to you by the Printed Circuit Engineering Association (PCEA)

technology tech news

All Episodes

56:18

RM 167: Meet the Press: A Conversation with PCEA...

PCB Chat ·

2025/04/25

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

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12:27

PCB Chat 164: The Latest PCB Design Software Market...

PCB Chat ·

2025/04/14

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

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39:38

RM: Electronics 166: Down Memory Lane and a Vision...

PCB Chat ·

2025/04/08

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

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28:42

PCB Chat 141: Integrated Library Management and...

PCB Chat ·

2025/04/07

Supply chain management looms over everything we do, but it has been more pronounced than ever over the past five years as the Covid pandemic steered so much attention to how we procure and inventory parts. About a month ago, DigiKey, one of the largest distributors of electronic components in the world, and EMA Design Automation announced the integration of DigiKey's myLists tool with EMA UItra Librarian's UltraBOM bill of materials management software. The benefit, they say, is that designers and

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57:36

RM 163: Sebastian Schaal of Luminovo on Supply Chain...

PCB Chat ·

2025/03/13

Today, we're tackling a topic that has become increasingly vital in recent years: supply chain management. With global supply chains recently under immense pressure from disruptions, shortages, and growing complexity, the need for smarter, more efficient solutions has never been greater. And what better way to explore this than by discussing the cutting-edge role of AI-powered supply chain management software. Mike Konrad's guest is Sebastian Schaal, the founder and CEO of Luminovo, a company at

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01:02:08

RM 162: Battery Selection and Safety Best Practices...

PCB Chat ·

2025/02/26

Today we’re diving into a critical yet sometimes overlooked component that powers so many of the devices we rely on: batteries. Batteries are the heartbeat of countless electronic products, from medical devices and electric vehicles to consumer gadgets and industrial systems. Choosing the right battery is not a one-size-fits-all decision. It requires a keen understanding of the application, performance needs, and environmental demands. The right selection can make the difference between a product

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45:45

PCB Chat 140: Kenny McGee on Component Circularity

PCB Chat ·

2025/02/06

Today’s guest intersects two key areas for electronics manufacturers: circularity and inventory management."The cost of a component isn't just the cost of a component. It's the cost to the planet." That's what Kenny McGee, chief executive of Component Sense, says. Component Sense is an Edinburgh, Scotland-based company that leads electronic manufacturers toward zero waste. It takes brand-new, perfectly good excess components and redistributes them to other manufacturers for use. We talk about

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01:03:45

RM 161: AI-Based Inspection Technologies with...

PCB Chat ·

2025/02/04

Today, we’re exploring a transformative topic: AI-based inspection technologies. Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing how we detect, analyze, and address defects in the electronics assembly process, combining precision with unparalleled speed to unlock new possibilities for efficiency and reliability. Our guest today is a leading innovator in this field. Priyansha Bagaria is the founder and CEO of Loopr AI, a company at the forefront of AI-powered solutions for manufacturing

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17:10

The Semiconductor/Packaging/PCB Technology Stack

PCB Chat ·

2025/01/28

This is Part 2 of a new podcast in which guest Geoffrey Leeds of Leeds AI joins Matt Leary (Newgrange Design), Geoffrey Hazelett (FreedomCAD) and Mike Buetow (PCEA) to discuss the semiconductor/packaging/PCB technology stack and what over the next two to five years will have the biggest impact on the industry at the board level.The conversation covers heterogeneous packaging, interposers, the density scale equation, silicon to systems, die desgregation, and photonics, among others. Part 1

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20:37

The Electronics Supply Chain and How Companies Can Adapt

PCB Chat ·

2025/01/25

Supply chain issues are rearing their ugly heads -- again -- with the latest blow the decision by Nippon Denkai to close and liquidate its copper foil manufacturing plant in Georgia, the last such factory in the United States. Geoffrey Leeds of Leeds AI joins Matt Leary (Newgrange Design), Geoffrey Hazelett (FreedomCAD) and Mike Buetow (PCEA) to discuss the supply chain situation and how the industry can adapt.

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01:10:49

RM 160: Opportunities and Challenges within the EV...

PCB Chat ·

2025/01/20

Today, we’re diving into one of the most transformative innovations of our time: electric vehicles and the vast infrastructure needed to support their growth. Joining host Mike Konrad is Brian O’Leary, global head of of e-Mobility & Infrastructure at Indium Corporation, a leading expert with deep insights into the electronic assembly industry and its critical role in the EV revolution. As electric vehicles continue to redefine the future of transportation, the reliability and scalability of

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13:55

PCB Chat 139: PCB Design Software Market Analysis...

PCB Chat ·

2025/01/14

Sales of software for printed circuit board and multichip module design rose to a record $450 million in the third quarter ended in October, extending a growth streak that has seen only three down quarters in the past nine years, the ESD Alliance announced today.Our guest Wally Rhines offers the latest data and analysis of the electronic design market, which saw strength in the Americas and Europe offsetting dips in Asia and Japan. He also offers comments on how the latest merger announcements

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30:39

PCB Chat 138: A Look at PCB Industry Legislation in...

PCB Chat ·

2024/12/11

Questions about over how the new administration and Congress coming in January will approach government investment in capital projects, workforce development and other incentives to build back the domestic electronics supply chain.David Schild, executive director of the Printed Circuit Board Association of America, joins Mike Buetow to discuss what the expected priorities of the incoming administration, how they align with the goals of PCBAA’s members, their strategy for continuing the progress on

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01:03:04

RM 158: D-Code Podcast Interview

PCB Chat ·

2024/12/11

The hosts of the D-Code podcast are a dynamic trio of young professionals making waves in the electronics manufacturing industry. With experience rooted in contract manufacturing and stencil fabrication for electronics assemblies, they bring a fresh perspective to the table. Although they’re at the start of their podcasting journey, D-Code has already begun to attract attention, tackling industry insights with a unique lens that up-and-coming voices can uniquely offer. Mike Konrad's guests are

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01:04:35

RM 156: An Introduction to Flexible Circuits with...

PCB Chat ·

2024/11/12

On today’s episode, we’re turning our focus to a pivotal innovation that has transformed design and manufacturing processes: flexible circuits.Flexible circuits have emerged as a game-changer in the manufacturing and design of electronic assemblies. With their unique ability to bend, twist, and conform to complex shapes, they offer unparalleled advantages in applications where space is at a premium and reliability is paramount. From wearable technology and medical devices to aerospace systems and

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42:28

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

PCB Chat ·

2024/10/30

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

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01:00:38

RM 154: Thermal Profiling Best Practices

PCB Chat ·

2024/10/29

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

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52:01

RM 153: Contract Manufacturing Best Practices with...

PCB Chat ·

2024/10/21

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

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12:42

PCB Chat 137: The Q2 PCB Design Software Market

PCB Chat ·

2024/10/07

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.

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29:23

PCB Chat 136: Jim Rathburn on UDHI Using LCPs

PCB Chat ·

2024/09/30

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

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302 results

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