Thank you to the  ⁨@SMTAorg⁩  for the wonderful SMTA International 2025! Today we bring you a taste from each of the interviews we recorded while in the D-Code booth.It was incredibly tough to whittle down such excellent conversations to just 2-3 minute clips from each interview, because there is technical and personal conversation in just about each one. If you are here to learn more about the hosts or about technologies... you are in luck with both!Huge thank you to our all of our sponsors, to the SMTA, and a special shout-out to Chrys Shea and Bill Capen. We tried to record something special with Chrys in the booth and Bill joining virtually, but tech gremlins won out in the end. Stay tuned to see that content instead in an upcoming episode.#electronicsmanufacturing #smta #expo2025

Alex Norman can't stop BMS-ing... err, he is always willing to share knowledge about battery management systems. As a content creator with a presence on LinkedIn, Youtube, Patreon, and more, Alex shares his hobbies and his professional work with equal ease. Ever designed a prototype first and trusted that the battery needs would just work out? Yes you have. Don't lie, Alex has the receipts. The earlier you incorporate the planning for your battery needs, the better! You aren't DFM-ing if you aren't BMS-ing. #batterymanagement  #batterymanagementsystem #electronicsmanufacturing

In this episode of the D-Code Podcast, hosts Elias Malfavon Jr., Daniel Stanphill and Sean Kincaid welcome special guests Karlie Severinson and Madison Soliday to discuss the upcoming SMTAI 2025 event.  They share insights on new programs, the importance of networking, and the excitement surrounding the sold-out expo floor. The conversation also touches on the challenges of event planning, the role of AI in the industry, and the significance of fostering connections among attendees. Listeners are encouraged to participate in the event and take advantage of the opportunities it presents.

In this conversation, Chris Hunrath, Vice President of Technology at Inselectro, shares his extensive experience in the PCB industry, discussing the importance of knowledge transfer to the next generation, the challenges and innovations in PCB manufacturing, and the significance of thermal properties in design. He also delves into issues like electrochemical migration, dendritic growth, and the evolution of PCB processes and materials, highlighting the future of manufacturing and material science.  

Courtesy of the @EMAC Bright Manufacturing Challenge, the University of Minnesota's "Rise and Grind Crew" has already won $1000 and proceed to the next round for their Creative Design for their Line-following Robot. Next stage: actually build the robot and test it out at SMTAI 2025 in Chicago for a chance at $2500!Ethan Chung and Alexander Wan represent the team of 5 from @universityofminnesota who decided to take their design to the next level. While all teams start with the same basic PCB requirements, the same motors and wheels, they have to create their own hardware, firmware, assemble the robot, and have it perform in the line-following contest autonomously. Watch the episode to see their design and watch them impress Elias, Sean, and Daniel with their solution and show off favorite features in Altium.The D-Code Podcast and the SMT industry at large regularly discuss how to get the next generation of college students coming up to actively enter the SMT/PCB space. Why keep talking about it back and forth with other people experienced in the industry when we can get it direct from students actively studying to become EEs? Special thanks to EMAC and the @SMTAorg for creating this opportunity!Bright Manufacturing Challenge: electronicsworkforce.com/thechallengeSMTAI Event Description: smta.org/event/challenge2025#pcbdesign #altiumdesigner #smtai #electronicsmanufacturing #robotics #universityofminnesota #soldering

Rev 2.12 - Matthew "Argy" Argyris of Europlacer Loves Talking Screenprinting...and as you'll see, so do we! Welcome to the 4th uh that is FIRST try at getting Matt Argyris, famous inventor of the "Closed Loop Pressure Feedback System for Squeegee Pressure Microadjustment" (we are testing something, watch to find out), onto the podcast.For what it is worth, that is almost entirely Elias' fault. (Trust me on this one.)Oh yeah, the episode. Check out the chapter list below to get a better idea of the episode topics we "espouse":00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest01:32 Matt's Journey into Screen Printing04:04 Evolution of Screen Printing Technology06:23 Exploring the Placement Side of PCB Assembly09:20 Continuous Learning in Screen Printing11:07 Q from Last Episode: Printing Flux Only?12:37 Innovations in PCB Manufacturing14:42 Equipment Maintaining Accuracy Over Time17:08 PSA 01005s are small, folks17:41 Comparing Old and New Screen Printing Technologies20:39 AI FACT Matt Argyris Invented Closed Loop Squeegee Pressure Feedback Mechanism24:15 Field Experiences and Troubleshooting28:19 The Customers Improve The Product31:46 Tell The Expert How It Really Is Though35:07 Vocabulary: Sean's Favorite Word (After Lexicon)36:24 Jet Printing: The Future of Manufacturing?39:59 The Role of Stencils in Modern Printing44:31 Long Board Printing: Challenges and Innovations46:07 Long Board Stencil & Reflow Strategies49:52 Industry Extremes: Small vs. Large PCB Designs51:40 Let's Get Sean On Board53:15 Matt - A Lifeline in Times of Need53:58 Closing Thoughts and Future Connections#pcba #smtstencil #screenprinter #electronicsmanufacturing #01005

YouTube is highly recommended for this episode, as it is all visual! Join Trevor Yancey from TechSearch International as we take a look at a few non-destructive imaging techniques with the Comet Yxlon guys, David Kruidhof and Vineeth Bastin. Join as we learn about CT scanning and laminography alongside Trevor who describes the modules we see and demonstrates a number of technologies present in the Apple Watch 10 series with cellular. Trevor and TechSearch International have been breaking down advanced technology devices and creating reports on what's found inside, and we had a blast learning about how these are used in combination. Watch, like, subscribe, and comment!

In this episode of The D Code Podcast, hosts Sean Kincaid, Daniel Stanphill, and Elias Malfavon Jr. interview John Burke, a veteran of the electronics manufacturing industry with decades of hands-on experience in SMT, reliability, and high-stakes applications like Formula 1 and surgical robotics. John shares insight into how manufacturing has changed over the years, why low-volume high-mix production is more complex than people think, and how technologies like laser soldering are reshaping what's possible. What we cover: Surface Mount Technology: from early days to modern lines Six Sigma and how it's actually used in factories High mix / low volume production and the unique challenges it brings Design for Manufacturing: not optional if you care about yield Real-world examples from F1, SSDs, and precision medical builds Laser soldering and its expanding role in production environments

New Episode Alert! The latest installment of The D Code Podcast featuring electronics industry veteran Adrian Leal. Whether you’re just starting out in PCB manufacturing or you’ve been around the block, Adrian’s insights on mentorship, networking, and ESD are pure gold.What You’ll Learn:How a mentor can accelerate your career growthWhy face-to-face networking still matters and how social media amplifies itThe critical role ESD plays in quality control (ESD is the silent killer)Real-world stories that prove personal connections lead to professional opportunitiesTakeaways to Act On:1. Seek out and be a mentor2. Build and nurture your network online and in person3. Master ESD best practices before it masters you4. Share what you know; ask why to unlock deeper insightsWatch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/Y_BhzxJBnPUListen on your favorite podcast platform:Join the conversation: What’s the best piece of mentorship advice you’ve ever received? Drop it below

Rev 2.8 - Sean Patterson on AI - an excellent high level overview When Sean Patterson "finally" decided to try out AI for a personal project, he was blown away by the time he saved. You'll hear this story and many more in this excellent brief of the power of AI for small to medium businesses. Heck, he's so passionate about this topic, he founded his own company in between the time we scheduled his interview and when we recorded! While Sean fully supports small to medium businesses in following a rough guideline of "AI First", he strongly cautions... well, let him tell you himself and just give this episode a go!

Special Edition of The D Code – Live from the SMTA StarEvent We had the rare opportunity to sit down with Dr. AdamKlett of Kaizen and Mike Konrad at the SMTA Star event in Kansas fora jam-packed roundtable episode of The D Code Podcast — and this onewent deep!Here are a few highlights you don’t want to miss:EIS > SIR?Dr. Klett introduced us to Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS)— a powerful evolution of SIR testing that uses AC signals to gather far moredetailed cleanliness data from circuit boards. It's like the SIR test... withsuperpowers.Cleaning Isn’t OptionalAs Mike put it: "You can't be a little clean. You're either cleanor you're not." Partial cleaning? Even worse than not cleaning at all. IPC Standards Are ChangingIPC removed the “pass/fail” resistivity number now it’s on us to provecleanliness. That means more testing, more validation, and more data-drivendecisions.SMTA’s Future Focused MissionDr. Klett is leading initiatives to bridge the generational gap in our industrydeveloping young professionals, making technical knowledge more accessible, andbuilding the future of electronics manufacturing.From Fab to Assembly: It All MattersWe explored how everything from PCB fabrication chemistry to automated washsystems adds up in the fight against electrochemical migration, dendriticgrowth, and long-term field failures.This episode is PACKED with insight, especially if you workin PCBA, reliability engineering, or process validation.Tune in if you're curious about the future of boardcleanliness testing and what SMTA is doing to build the next generation ofindustry leaders.#SMTA #ElectronicsManufacturing #EIS #SIR #Kaizen #IPC #PCBA

The Reality of PCB Manufacturing with Yash Sutariya In this episode, we dive into the real challenges facing domestic PCB manufacturing with Yash from Saturn Electronics.We talk about cost-saving design strategies, common mistakes, chemical innovations, automotive applications, and why passion and adaptability are critical for success.From etching processes to the future of automation, this one’s packed with insights you don’t want to miss. 🔹 How to optimize panelization and save costs🔹 Why collaboration with your PCB shop matters🔹 What's really changing in flex materials and automation🔹 Why domestic PCB manufacturing needs your support Listen now and d-code the future of PCB production! #PCBManufacturing #SaturnElectronics #CostOptimization #Collaboration #DomesticManufacturing #Automation #DesignTips

We sat down with Zach to explore everything from AI in PCB design to the reality of design reviews, miniaturization, and the impact of tariffs on manufacturing.👨‍🏫 Zach shared how he transitioned from hobbyist to professional, why investing in quality tools matters, and how AI won’t replace designers—but will definitely transform the workflow.🔥 Highlights:   Why design reviews are a goldmine for learning   AI’s role in automating tedious PCB design tasks   How tariffs are shifting the global manufacturing map   The challenge of finding skilled labor in electronics   Why continuous education is non-negotiable   Inside stories from working with AltiumWhether you're an engineer, designer, or just passionate about electronics, this is one you don’t want to miss.

From waste to wealth behind the scenes of metal reclaiming. Ever wondered how discarded solder dross transforms into high-purity metal? Tune in for the secrets! Stan's known as the "solder guru" for good reason he's been deep in the trenches of solder recycling and reclaiming for over two decades. We talked about how his family business was doing sustainable recycling long before it was trendy, turning solder dross and scrap paste. Stuff most people would think was trash into pure, usable metal. He shared some surprising details on how shifting from tin-lead to lead-free solder has complicated recycling and even taught us a few things about why copper buildup affects solder performance on selective solder machines. If you're into PCB manufacturing, PCB Assembly, solder technology, or just enjoy turning waste into something valuable, you'll want to check this one out. Big thanks to Stanley Rothschild from Metallic Resources, Inc. for the chat! #PCB #Soldering #Manufacturing #Recycling #Sustainability

Jeff Leal from Axxon-Mycronic swings by the set to dispense some knowledge 😉 An interesting talk unfolded as we discussed precision dispensing and coating solutions. The cast found particular value in learning about "right sized" platforms that can allow low volume outfits an entrance into automation via desktop dispensing robots!Sean and Elias took a stroll over to the Axxon booth after this one and got the chance to check out the benchtop THT inspection platform, very innovative stuff!A big thanks to Axxon-Mycronic for supporting the cast and advancing our goals of providing meaningful and fun conversations! #qualitycontrol #inspection #automation #PCBA

The Podfather 🎤 Our friend Mike Konrad from Aqueous Technologies and the host of The Reliability Matters Podcast, takes an unfamiliar seat as a guest during IPC Apex 2025!Mike's humility won't allow him to accept the credit due to him for mentoring and helping us up on this journey.We converse about podcasting, collaboration, and even a bit about cleaning!Elias, Producer Paul, Sean, and Daniel send a heartfelt thank you to Mr. Konrad for setting us up with all the A/V for this event!These chats were slotted for 10 minutes each, but we found a way to stretch this one longer than LinkedIn can accommodate, so head over to YouTube to check out this, and all 35 interviews from Apex 2025!

⚙️ “It’s not about CPH—it’s about what you get out the door.”At IPC APEX 2025, we sat down with Tim Kang from Hanwha to talk about next-gen automation, and let’s just say—Hanwha isn’t playing catch-up… they’re setting the pace.From dual-lane ovens that run lead and lead-free at the same time, to pick-and-place systems that run two independent jobs simultaneously—we’re seeing innovation that’s pushing the boundaries of what’s possible on the production floor.🔧 Highlights from the convo:Why CPH is overrated and output-per-day is what really mattersHanwha’s dual-lane reflow oven with independent thermal chambers—run two profiles, two speeds, no cross-contaminationA dual job pick-and-place platform that supports multiple conveyor lengths and setups running at onceHow cart-based feeder systems reduce changeover and operator strainWhy North American CMs need high-mix, low-volume friendly systems—not just speedHow Hanwha engages with customers post-sale to fine-tune performance and drive continuous improvementIt’s not just about selling machines—it’s about engineering solutions that actually fit the real-life factory floor.Big shoutout to Tim and the entire Hanwha team for supporting The D Code Podcast and for continuing to bring disruptive innovation to the SMT world.

🌎 “It’s not about borders—it’s about building together.”Live from the IPC APEX 2025 show floor, we caught up with Jason Wahba of JW Corporation, who crossed the border (legally 😄) from Canada to talk all things automation, global manufacturing insights, and the future of lean electronics.🇨🇦🇺🇸 Big thanks to Jason for the Unity Pins—combining the US and Canadian flags—and for sharing some sharp insights from his recent travels through Japan and Taiwan.🤖 Key takeaways from our convo:Why Asia is pulling ahead in automation—not just SMT, but process-wide, including low-cost cobots and automation strategies that start at the quoting phaseHow their “automate first” mindset allows them to price competitively, scale faster, and defend against competition long-termThe biggest roadblock to adoption here? Not just cost—it’s the lack of implementation knowledgeWhy lean manufacturers like us can’t afford not to automate, even in high-mix, low-volume environmentsWhy collaboration across borders and competitors isn’t just possible—it’s essential to grow the entire industryJason brought international experience, practical advice, and a heavy dose of humor—including a salute to his $40 Harbor Freight conformal coating setup 😆This one was part community, part case study—and all heart. Thank you, Jason and JW Corp, for supporting the podcast and the mission of growing this industry together.

You don't last 30 years in this industry unless you do things right!   Don Dennison grabs the mic in a show floor interview with Elias, Sean, and Daniel at Apex 2025. Don is in the elite camp of folks who have attended all 25 IPC Apex Expos!   We converse about the important role Technical Reps play as a conduit between their regional clients and national brands. We also had a bit of a laugh talking about the evolution of sales techniques from cold call into the digital era.   Enjoy!   #NEWTWORKING #SOLUTIONS #SMT #PCBA

"Nothing we design, nothing we make, is worth anything if no one buys it"Enter Jessica Molloy from Asteria Sales & Marketing!We chat about two key points that may resonate with you:Breaking Down Barriers: It's great to see younger professionals in electronics confidently approaching senior figures. This willingness to connect, ask questions, and learn from experience is a major cheat code for growth and innovation within our industry. We all stand to gain if we continue to foster environments where this intergenerational knowledge sharing thrives! The Veterans in our industry are so willing to chat and share their knowledge. I have heard from more than one OG, that they have seen their enthusiasm and zeal for the space, restored by mentoring the next generation. The Power of Sales & Marketing: Jessica also emphasizes the critical role of sales and marketing alongside our talented design and production engineers. Bringing our products to market requires strategic communication, understanding market needs, and building strong relationships. It's a team effort, and every function is essential for success.