The D-Code Podcast

he folks at Essemtec are always a blast to talk with, and they usually bear gifts! One of those gifts was a Swiss Army knife, which is probably the best way to describe their Fox platform with its ability to jet paste and place components, all within a space-saving footprint. We are all equipment nerds here at The D-Code Podcast, so being able to get hands-on with some of Essemtec's innovative platforms was a real treat!

Author, business owner, multi-podcaster, and one of the most recognizable faces in the SMTA... Mike Konrad is all over the place, and killing it. Unfortunately or fortunately for him, depending on the day, he has become a huge part of The D-Code Podcast origin story and gets a front row seat to how the sausage is made. He still joins us on set anyway! Thanks for the mentorship Mike!

How clean is clean enough? If you answered  1.56 µg/cm2 of NaCl equivalent, it's time to update your version of IPC J-STD-001! Class 2 and Class 3 assemblies now require "Objective Evidence" of cleanliness. Bobby Glidwell from Magnalytix stops by the set to explain how obtaining Objective Evidence doesn't have to be a pain, in fact they've put everything you need into a box!  

We get it—if you hear the word "AI" one more time, you might lose it. But a couple of us recently headed up to Massachusetts to check out Parmi’s new SPI and AOI tech, and it actually lived up to the hype. It’s more than just the cool laser visuals and heat maps (though those are pretty slick). The real kicker? Seeing these machines practically program themselves. We threw a board with over 100 line items at it—something the machine had never seen before—and it handled it right out of the box. No gimmicks, just results. In this episode, we’re sharing our conversation with Juan Arango at APEX and geeking out over what this means for your line. We also take a second to poke some fun at Mike Butler’s unique way of moving "R's" around in words. Stick around as we track the improvements SPI brings to the floor over the next few months. Huge thanks to Parmi for sponsoring the show and keeping these deep dives coming!

What to say about Gene that hasn't already been said? Some of the best stuff you won't hear because it happened the night before the interview, but we still saved some great conversation for the cameras! We all look up to Gene for his passion, his longevity, and we were thrilled to see him get the award for 70 (yes, that's seventy) years in EMS at the MWA dinner! Don't forget to take out the trash when you get home. :)

Our good friend Bill stops by the set to discuss the nuances of equipment selection and validation. An absolute must listen for anyone in the process of making PCBA related equipment decisions! We also discuss the SMTA STAR Event in Kansas, a truly unique and valuable annual conference that Bill Champions.   Enjoy! 

Finally an equipment manufacturer Elias can get excited about! Declan from Watt Laser makes the trip across the big pond to join The D-Code for a laser focused discussion on all things SMT Stencil manufacturing. We discuss the latest advancements in stencil laser technology as well as stencil AOI.    Enjoy!

The reflow oven can be one of the most enigmatic tools on the SMT Line. In this interview we sit with our friend Miles Moreau as he helps to KIC the mystery out of the reflow soldering process. Tapping decades of experience making ovens smarter, Miles drops some gems on set that you won't want to miss! Grab a cool drink and enjoy this hot topic!   Special Thanks to KIC for the continued support of The D-Code Podcast, we couldn't keep pumping out content without you! 

We had a great chat with Dan Ashley from PVA. The more we learned about the offerings from PVA the 3 letters it made us think about most was ROI. They have dispensing capabilities for any SMT application you might run into- conformal coatings, 2 part epoxies, underfill, glue, masking, etc. They even have a UV curing system available within the same form factor. Would be easy to keep rambling on about everything they offer but really you should just check the interview out for yourself! Thank you so much Dan and the people at PVA for their support and being gracious with your time!

What do you know about reflow soldering? Likely not as much as Robert Bouchard from BTU International! Bob showed us their Aurora oven (great name) and described how it overcomes the thermal challenges associated with today's boards. Most of the boards I run have 1-2oz copper pours. I can't even imagine the difficulty in getting good reflow on boards that weigh upwards of 20 lbs! We really cover a lot of ground in this interview. Bob breaks down the science behind the reflow oven and you don't want to miss it!

Our APEX 2026 series continues on with David Ly from Inovaxe Corporation. We had fun checking out the new InoHD Storage system in the Inovaxe booth, and chatting about some of the smart storage systems offerings.

Not all testing is created equal, and gaps in your testing can hurt more than you realize. This is why it is important to design for testing and to especially be intentional in how you prioritize testing and inspection methods along the way. Oren Manor of ‪@SiemensSoftware‬ EDA joins The D-Code to discuss a recent acquisition of a premier testing planning and execution system.

Daniel put it best - "I told you he'd remember us." We have known we are great friends with Dr. John W Mitchell for some time now, but we now have definitive proof in case we ever sit by say, Henry Winkler, on a flight. We have loved working with ‪@GlobalElectronicsAssociation‬ at every opportunity we've had, and #apexexpo 2026 was no exception. We hate clickbait titles, so we've buried them in the description. WANT SECRET TIPS TO GET THE BEST BOOTH LOCATION? WHAT ABOUT NOT-SO-SECRET FUNDS FOR TRAINING IN YOUR STATE?

One of our favorite people, Chrys Shea, joins us again for more laughs, more process engineering, and more nerding out. From designing tougher and tougher SMTA test boards to teaching concepts with grilled cheese sandwich and silly putty, Chrys keeps us entertained the whole conversation, and she'll get you chuckling, too.

Welcome back Mike Konrad! Aside from being a great person, Mike has mentored us through podcasting, media production on site at trade shows, loaned us equipment and in general, been a great mentor in business and life as well for all of us, including Producer Paul. Thanks for joining us again, ESPECIALLY spending some of your time in Hawaii at PanPac to hang out with us.

You've waited for it, you've begged for it, and the wait is finally over. Rev 3! The D-Code thanks you coming back to us for another season. The first time we "talked" about having the iconic Dr. John W. Mitchell on the podcast, it was a joking matter and we thought "as if that will ever happen". Now, without further preamble, enjoy. Dr. John on The D-Code Podcast.

The D-Code Crew is back for a third season! Catch this quick intro into season 3, including a look back at 2025.   WE'RE BACK!!!!!!

Join us as we speak with Timon Ruban on starting and scaling a tech startup where humans are the highest cost by far. Err, make that investment, because Timon recognizes that true leadership requires training your employees not just on the job, but training them to speak up and be confident in representing ideas and values.  Now that Luminovo has enjoyed success in Europe, they are expanding to North America, and Timon has been spending his time in New York hiring a new team for expansion! New jobs, new tech, and new customers abound!

Rev 2.32 - Sean Vouches For KOKI with Shantanu Joshi & Greg Starrett Not all endorsements are created equal. Some come from sources like Sean Kincaid, who will proudly explain he's not a customer before going on to describe excellent service he received without pursuing next steps (cough cough Metal Etch Services cough). You don't have to take Sean's word for it! Watch yourself to hear Shantanu Joshi and Greg Starrett demonstrate their extensive knowledge about solder paste advancements, formic acid reflow, customer collaboration, and more. As stencil men, Elias and Greg commiserate regarding the valuable knowledge they would love to share earlier in the process - especially since Daniel will inevitably blame the stencil... 00:00 Producer Paul's Pick 00:39 Meet Shantanu and Greg 03:07 Understanding Customer Collaboration in Engineering 09:09 Industry Challenges - Mil/Aero & ADS 13:44 Not All Type 5 Pastes Are Created Equal 16:03 Trading Stencils for Paste 18:24 Formic Acid Reflow and Zero Residue Paste 29:24 Sean & Nano Don't Mix

Some people are just wired to share knowledge, and if you've ever encountered Bob Willis on LinkedIn, YouTube, or in person, you likely learned something valuable. Bob is someone who recognizes the value of getting in and playing with something to learn it, whether it is in your job description or not. Get over there, manipulate it, and understand it! Aside from picking his brain about training, lead-free solder testing, causes and mitigation of tombstoning... well, watch for yourself! See chapters below for additional details. Chapters 00:00 Producer Paul's Pick 00:41 Introduction to Bob Willis 11:03 Cross Training And Communication 18:11 Lead-Free Solder: Challenges and Insights 24:31 Stencil Design for Mitigating Tombstoning 33:10 Flux Dipping 37:00 The Value of Training 44:11 Challenges in Reflow and Wave Soldering 49:13 Bob's Semi-Retirement and Future Plans 54:08 Assembly Challenges with Smaller Components linkedin.com/in/bob-willis-47514a35/ www.bobwillis.co.uk

THE FINAL BOSS - Mike Konrad, Author, Podcaster, Narrator, Business Owner, SMTA Talking Head... Final as in, last SMTA International 2025 Interview, folks! Thank you for tuning in to each one along the way. 😀 Mike Konrad has been one of our largest supporters and we are not exaggerating when we say that we are only here because of him. We are here because of many reasons, but one will always be Mike. From guiding us through the initial decision to even start a podcast to loaning us the entire recording setup we used for Apex, he's been instrumental. He was  @thereluctantentrepreneur  once upon a time, but he's excited enough about the topic to have his own podcast on the topic... so... perhaps he's Enthusiastically Reluctant, or something. Best known in our industry for  @AqueousTechnologies  and his knowledge about cleaning, he is perhaps most recognized online for his  @ReliabilityMatters  podcast - reliable enough to be at over 180 episodes released!!! We appreciate you, Podfather.

If you've ever heard of Zestron, then you know they are pretty serious about cleaning. But among the more technical discussion you'll find here, John Neiderman also shares that Zestron has as highly decorated Reliability & Solutions (R&S) Team that consults on projects, including root cause and failure analyses. By analyzing the full process, including printing, placement, profiling and more, they often uncover process improvements to benefit you that have nothing to do with changing or investing in your cleaning processes or chemistry choices. This service isn't just available to OEMs and the large outfits - part of becoming a customer of Zestron is gaining access to education, support, and a partner when you need to up your reliability game or make process changes to level up your capabilities.

When running a PCBA Consulting agency, you run into everything. Or so Brent Johnson imagines. He may have just recently started his agency, but he has years of process engineering experience, and has already worked with a popular guest on the podcast, Jordan Danko! Let the roasting begin... No, this was a great conversation, and it just felt like the right time to bring back "a lack of board supports on the second side" from one of the hosts you see here... He was asking for it though, because he was really trying to pry all the info he could out of Brent for free.

Viktoria Rawinsky Solves (PCB) Crime For a Living! How fun does that sound, really? Viktoria gets to spend her time studying, imaging, and finding the root cause of various failure types, often in combination. It takes serious detective chops to not just find one culprit involved in a defective board, but to find and overlay all the "fingerprints" when multiple causes of failure work together to obfuscate the issue. When COVID hit and many were scrambling or holding on tight with fear, Viktoria went out and bought top-of-the-line imaging equipment at bargain prices and re-invested in her own future. Learn more from "The Dendrite Queen" through the following chapters: 00:00 Producer Paul's Pick 00:35 Viktoria Rawinsky of LinkedIn Fame 02:36 Incomplete Solder Mask Crosslinking 05:56 Sean Stream of Consciousness Monologue 09:44 Anyone Can Measure - Interpretation Is The Key 12:44 NDAs Don't Cover Detective Stories 16:22 Mic Drop Moment

Justin has a lot of media experience, and is used to having the camera and mic with him, asking questions of others and giving them a chance to shine. We were therefore stoked to have a conversation that was equal parts Personal Marketing, SMTA Involvement, but also really interesting technical conversation as he got into discussing ROCKA not just as a company, but as a leader in modern stencil roll development. Speaking of marketing, we are going to need to get some kind of credit for helping launch the new campaign slogan for the special polyester blend of stencil roll that performs so well, "Where You Spray, It Will Stay".

We knew Sutharshan just got elected to the SMTA Board of Directors (Congratulations!), but we didn't know his full background with the SMTA. It's been 18 Years since the first time Sutharshan expressed interest in learning more about the SMTA! Safe to say he has made the most of his time participating in various ways in that time. SMT Elite is a newer venture for Sutharshan, but with experience in process engineering, DFM reviews, constant knowledge absorption via regularly scheduled webinars and training opportunities... He's more than up to the task.

This is an excellent blend of technical conversation and personal experiences of the connections formed in this community, especially via SMTA activity. Robert Boguski is entertaining and humorous while discussing his company's background and role, and there are plenty of laughs in the first half while generally keeping to industry topics. But for those of you who like to learn more about: the personal lives of our hosts and guests...  the experiences behind the scenes and outside of primary employment that help shape who we are at work... the support you can receive from participation in organizations such as the SMTA... this one is a treat. Learn how the real quality connections made initially for networking turn into lifesavers and genuine supports in times of need. Thank you Robert for one of our longest and most dynamic conversations at SMTAI. From Producer Paul: It was because of my involvement in the podcast and all of those who have encouraged us and supported us along the way that I was there with Daniel at the SMTA STAR High Reliability Conference when we got the news about Dad passing. We were fortunate enough to be together, and to be there with some amazing humans who helped us through. Thanks to the Podfather aka Mike Konrad, the Bosom Buddies, all of our awesome GUESTS, fans, supporters, sponsors, mentors, and especially the friends who go well beyond simple industry connections. -PP

Gary Bales, President and CEO of Aurora Boardworks, stops by the set to discuss Daniel's employee personnel file! We kid, but we did have a great conversation about ABW's storied history, and their recent investments in new automation and production capabilities. Thank you to Gary and ABW for their continued support of The D-Code Podcast!

What does naturally adaptive mean to you? To @Essemtec it means the ability to dispense solder paste, pick and place components, easy programming, intuitive software, reworking on demand, and more! The first time we talked to the good people at Essemtec they were already boasting dispensing speeds of 720,000 dots per hour. Now, they are up to 1.1 million dots per hour! As Sean Kincaid said- Mind blowing! 🤯🤯🤯 Underfill, potting, glue dispensing, flux jetting, reballing BGAs, into cavities or step ups, inline or on an island, what else do you need? Flexibility in a high-mix/low to medium volume environment is critical. If you are changing setups daily, you are always looking for ways to reduce the downtime of product changeovers. Frank Hart did a great job explaining to us how they provide bespoke solutions for their customers. Essemtec is redefining what is possible in the SMT world!

We at The D-Code love ‪@KYZEN-Corporation‬. From connecting at events to becoming great friends, we keep trying to find someone from KYZEN we don't like and so far, no dice. This holds true for Chelsea Jewell as well, who was already a great friend of Daniel and Elias , and now Sean has finally met her now by attending SMTAI 2025*. As Application Lab Manager, Chelsea gets to work on just about anything in the cleaning world, as KYZEN operates in most industries that require cleaning technology. With 13 years of experience at KYZEN, she has seen just about everything, but by no means has the job become boring. There are constantly new puzzles to solve, as she describes here!

Jarred Ragard discusses customer-driven development and how Hanwha Semitech prioritizes customer needs. It can be difficult to navigate the competing demands of ever smaller components needing quick and accurate placement while at the same time there are larger and more complex components need to be placed in the same line.

One wrong label can ruin thousands of boards. SMTAI 2025 show highlight Inovaxe Our podcast is centered around problems and solutions and David Ly from Inovaxe had one for every problem! We talked about how easily a simple labeling error can snowball a customer supplied reel with multiple stickers, a misprinted internal label, or just one manual transcription mistake. It only takes one mix-up to create thousands of bad panels. The point David kept coming back to was being proactive, not reactive. The best ROI isn’t waiting until a problem happens, it’s preventing it entirely. The video shows exactly what that means. The MODI Incoming Goods Scanner automates the receiving and labeling process to eliminate human error the second material enters the building. The IMSD2000 Smart Dry Cabinet lets you locate reels before opening the door, protecting MSL parts and extending floor life. The SREX Smart Racks bring pick-to-light storage that syncs with MES, ERP, and placement machines for full traceability across the factory. The Smart Stencil Rack tracks stencil usage and maintenance automatically. The InoBright Feeder Cart Add-On turns standard carts into intelligent, trackable systems with part and setup visibility. And the VCcount X-Ray Counter brings high-volume, high-accuracy reel counting with splice and bag detection. Every piece ties back to one theme eliminating manual touch points before they cause downtime or scrap. Huge thanks to David Ly and the Inovaxe team for walking us through the lineup. Always a great reminder that preventing problems is the smartest investment you can make.

Thermal profiling from the experts- Generous to say experts as there was really only one expert on the panel, Miles Moreau. Daniel shared his typical methodology for profiling a board and Miles was kind enough to say that was the way most people do it, albeit not the most accurate.  Sean brought up different thermal profiling methods and devices he's used in the past and then highlighted that KIC now has wireless options for their profilers. So for anyone that has ever used a traditional thermal profiler, you know the challenge of trying to extract the information after it comes out of the oven piping hot. Imagine a world in which you can see the true delta from your set points to the on board temperature in real time as it goes through each zone.... Now quit imagining because the future is here! Listen to this interview we did at SMTAI to level up your thermal profiling knowledge.

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/thechallenge SMTAI 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 Guest 01:32 Matt's Journey into Screen Printing 04:04 Evolution of Screen Printing Technology 06:23 Exploring the Placement Side of PCB Assembly 09:20 Continuous Learning in Screen Printing 11:07 Q from Last Episode: Printing Flux Only? 12:37 Innovations in PCB Manufacturing 14:42 Equipment Maintaining Accuracy Over Time 17:08 PSA 01005s are small, folks 17:41 Comparing Old and New Screen Printing Technologies 20:39 AI FACT Matt Argyris Invented Closed Loop Squeegee Pressure Feedback Mechanism 24:15 Field Experiences and Troubleshooting 28:19 The Customers Improve The Product 31:46 Tell The Expert How It Really Is Though 35:07 Vocabulary: Sean's Favorite Word (After Lexicon) 36:24 Jet Printing: The Future of Manufacturing? 39:59 The Role of Stencils in Modern Printing 44:31 Long Board Printing: Challenges and Innovations 46:07 Long Board Stencil & Reflow Strategies 49:52 Industry Extremes: Small vs. Large PCB Designs 51:40 Let's Get Sean On Board 53:15 Matt - A Lifeline in Times of Need 53:58 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 growth Why face-to-face networking still matters and how social media amplifies it The critical role ESD plays in quality control (ESD is the silent killer) Real-world stories that prove personal connections lead to professional opportunities Takeaways to Act On: 1. Seek out and be a mentor 2. Build and nurture your network online and in person 3. Master ESD best practices before it masters you 4. Share what you know; ask why to unlock deeper insights Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/Y_BhzxJBnPU Listen 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 Star Event We had the rare opportunity to sit down with Dr. Adam Klett of Kaizen and Mike Konrad at the SMTA Star event in Kansas for a jam-packed roundtable episode of The D Code Podcast — and this one went 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 more detailed cleanliness data from circuit boards. It's like the SIR test... with superpowers. Cleaning Isn’t Optional As Mike put it: "You can't be a little clean. You're either clean or you're not." Partial cleaning? Even worse than not cleaning at all. IPC Standards Are Changing IPC removed the “pass/fail” resistivity number now it’s on us to prove cleanliness. That means more testing, more validation, and more data-driven decisions. SMTA’s Future Focused Mission Dr. Klett is leading initiatives to bridge the generational gap in our industry developing young professionals, making technical knowledge more accessible, and building the future of electronics manufacturing. From Fab to Assembly: It All Matters We explored how everything from PCB fabrication chemistry to automated wash systems adds up in the fight against electrochemical migration, dendritic growth, and long-term field failures. This episode is PACKED with insight, especially if you work in PCBA, reliability engineering, or process validation. Tune in if you're curious about the future of board cleanliness testing and what SMTA is doing to build the next generation of industry 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 Altium Whether 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 matters Hanwha’s dual-lane reflow oven with independent thermal chambers—run two profiles, two speeds, no cross-contamination A dual job pick-and-place platform that supports multiple conveyor lengths and setups running at once How cart-based feeder systems reduce changeover and operator strain Why North American CMs need high-mix, low-volume friendly systems—not just speed How Hanwha engages with customers post-sale to fine-tune performance and drive continuous improvement It’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.