PCB Chat

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 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.

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

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.

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

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 engineers will have access to DigiKey's parts within their OrCAD Capture environment and can then seamlessly send a bill of materials to DigiKey. Gopu Achath, vice president of technology at EMA Design Automation, and Cody Walseth, digital product owner at DigiKey, join Mike Buetow to discuss the new collaboration. 

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 the forefront of transforming how supply chains are managed in the electronics industry. Sebastian Schaal is the founder of Luminovo, a leading software provider revolutionizing the electronics supply chain.  He holds two master's degrees—one in electrical and computer engineering from the Technical University of Munich and another from Stanford University, where he was a Fulbright scholar focusing on management and computer science.  Before founding Luminovo, Schaal gained diverse industry experience, working on AI algorithms for signal processing and computer vision at Intel and robotics companies NavVis and Magazino.  Additionally, he served as a consultant at McKinsey, advising on data strategy. Sebastian and his team are leveraging artificial intelligence to streamline processes, enhance collaboration, and future-proof supply chain operations.  In this episode, we'll explore how AI is reshaping supply chain management, the unique challenges facing the electronics industry, and what companies can do to stay ahead in an ever-changing global landscape.  This conversation is packed with insights you won't want to miss. So, sit back, relax, and get ready to learn about the innovations that are revolutionizing supply chains worldwide. 

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 that excels in reliability and one that, quite literally, fails to deliver.  But there’s more to batteries than just selecting the right chemistry or capacity. Safety is paramount. Poor battery selection, design, or management can lead to performance issues, overheating, or catastrophic failures. As we’ve all seen in headlines, battery malfunctions can result in recalls, damage to brand reputation, or, worse, safety hazards for users.   To shed light on this vital topic, we’re joined by an expert in the field of battery technology. Alex Norman is a Battery Management System Designer at Pro Technologies, a well-established and trusted custom battery pack manufacturer, providing engineering capabilities from concept through production. Their leading-edge manufacturing facility and headquarters is based in Pilot Mountain, North Carolina.   Alex has deep experience in Printed Circuit Board Design, Product Development, Battery Management Systems and more. Alex is also a content creator, focusing mostly on electronics, battery, and BMS content available on his LinkedIn page and YouTube channel. Today, we’re going to explore how to choose the right battery for your assembly, best practices for integration, and how to mitigate potential safety risks.   So, if you care about keeping your products powered, reliable, and safe, don’t bolt just yet – this podcast on batteries is positively charged with insights! Stick around and top off your battery knowledge! Chapters: 00:00:00 Choosing the Right Battery for Electronic Assemblies 00:02:44 Exploring Battery Technology and Safety Concerns 00:05:21 Starting a YouTube Channel: Journey and Growth 00:07:55 Performance and Safety: Alkaline vs. Lithium-Based Batteries 00:10:28 The Future of Sodium-Ion Batteries vs. Lithium-Ion 00:13:12 Causes of Samsung Phone Battery Fires 00:16:01 Advancements in Solid State Battery Technology 00:18:44 Dangers of Swollen Lithium Batteries and Battery Safety 00:21:19 Battery Charging Myths and Optimization Techniques 00:24:04 Importance of Battery Management Systems (BMS) 00:26:51 Primary vs. Secondary Batteries Explained 00:29:28 Comparing Performance: Alkaline vs Rechargeable Batteries 00:32:11 Impact of Temperature on Battery Performance 00:34:51 Optimizing Battery Performance in Extreme Cold 00:37:28 Lead Acid vs. Lithium Iron Phosphate: Battery Safety and Advancements 00:39:56 Optimizing Battery Performance in Electric Cars 00:42:36 Advanced Lithium Iron Phosphate Cells   00:45:24 Battery Regulations Impact and Safety Standards 00:48:05 Battery Safety and Standards in Consumer Electronics 00:50:49 Quality and Safety in Consumer Vs. Industrial Battery Cells 00:53:25 The Importance of Proper Battery Recycling 00:56:05 Lithium Iron Phosphate vs. Nickel Metal Hydride Batteries 00:59:51 Humor and Technology: Creating Engaging Content

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 the market for recycled electronics, how major OEMs are circumventing European Union reuse and recycling laws, what companies can do with excess stock, and the horrific conditions at a reclaim dump in Agbogbloshie, Ghana, that inspired him to make a documentary. 

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 inspection.  She holds an MBA in International business and global management, a bachelor's of engineering degree in computer Science, and she held a fellowship in data science at Cornell University. Her academic background, coupled with her entrepreneurial spirit, has positioned her as a trailblazer in applying AI to manufacturing processes. In this episode, we’ll explore the advancements Loopr AI is spearheading, how AI inspection technologies are reshaping traditional methods, and the tangible benefits AI offers to manufacturers striving for excellence.