PCB Chat

RM 181: Working with Contract Manufacturers - with Raymond Novara

The next two episodes of Reliability Matters will be all about contract manufacturing, an area that can make or break the reliability and success of a product.  Mike Konrad's guest on this episode is Raymond Novara, founder and owner of East End Assemblies, a US-based contract manufacturer recognized for its focus on quality, customer service, and compliance with AS9100 and IPC standards. During our conversation, Raymond talks about key questions that every OEM should be considering: * What are the best practices for selecting a contract manufacturer? * What common mistakes do companies make when working with a CM—especially in communication and hand-offs? * How can design-for-manufacturability feedback prevent problems down the road? * What should customers know about transitioning from prototypes to volume production? * And how can contract manufacturers help ensure long-term product reliability, not just passing initial tests? If you’re an OEM evaluating partners, an engineer preparing to hand off a design, or someone interested in how contract manufacturers contribute to product reliability, this episode is packed with insights.

RM 180: Low Temp Soldering for a High-Reliability World

Note: This is the fourth of four episodes on the subject of soldering materials.   Today, we're diving into a topic that's reshaping how we think about thermal management, energy efficiency, and long-term performance in electronics manufacturing—low temperature soldering. Joining Mike Konrad is Dr. HongWen Zhang, principal metallurgist and R&D manager of the Alloy Group at Indium Corporation.   Dr. Zhang is not only a seasoned materials scientist with a Ph.D. in materials science and engineering, a master’s in materials science and engineering and in mechanical engineering and a bachelor’s in metallurgical physical chemistry he’s also coinventor of Durafuse, a family of solder alloys that are redefining what's possible at low reflow temperatures—which, reportedly, does not compromise reliability.   In this episode, we’ll explore how low temperature solders are helping manufacturers lower energy consumption, protect heat-sensitive components, and still meet the rigorous mechanical and environmental demands of today’s electronics—from wearables to wafer-level packaging. We’ll also talk about the challenges of brittleness, drop shock resistance, activation and encapsulation of no clean activators, and how cutting-edge materials research is solving problems that used to be considered trade-offs.   Whether you’re a reliability engineer, a process expert, or just solder-curious, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

PCB Chat 147: Matthias Wagner of FluxAI

Today’s guest is Matthias Wagne [https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthias-wagner-5220b047/]r, chief executive and cofounder of Flux. Flux is maker of a Agentic AI-based PCB design platform and programmable simulator that runs in a browser environment. Regular listeners may know we have spoken with Matthias a few times in the past, most recently in February 2024. Since we last spoke, Flux has built out its platform with a variety of tools for design planning, parts searching, netlist generation, design review, firmware coding and testing and debugging, to name a few.   We discuss * AI-powered PCB design challenges * Language prompting capabilities  * Democratization of product design, and * Technical specifications and platform limits.

RM 179: Indium's Ross Berntson

This is the third of four episodes on the subject of soldering materials. Today, we’re continuing our deep dive into the world of soldering materials, from advanced alloys and flux chemistries to global manufacturing strategy and materials innovation, with one of the industry’s most respected leaders. Joining Mike Konrad is Ross Berntson, president and CEO of Indium Corp. Berntson has been with Indium for nearly 30 years, starting as a product specialist and rising through the ranks with leadership roles in product management, technical support, and international operations. He even spent time leading Indium’s Asia Holdings while based in Singapore, strengthening the company’s presence across Southeast Asia. In his current role as CEO, Berntson sets the strategic direction for a global materials powerhouse, one that’s known not only for its high-performance soldering products but for its commitment to innovation, collaboration, and engineering support through the company’s “One Engineer to Another” philosophy. Berntson holds degrees in chemistry, teaching and an MBA from Cornell University, where he earned several prestigious academic awards. He’s also deeply engaged in both the electronics industry and his community, serving on multiple boards and leading with a strong emphasis on culture, opportunity, and respect, the core of what Indium calls “The Indium Way.” In this episode, we’ll discuss how soldering materials are evolving to meet the demands of modern electronics, from miniaturization and harsh environments to UHDI and advanced packaging. We’ll also talk about Indium’s unique positioning in the industry, the challenges of global supply chains, and what the future of soldering looks like from the vantage point of a company that’s helped shape it.

PCB Chat 146: The Latest EDA Market Results

Wally Rhines joins Mike Buetow each quarter to share details from the latest ESD Alliance report [https://www.pcdandf.com/pcdesign/index.php/editorial/menu-news/market-news/18933-pcb-and-mcm-design-revenue-climbs-as-electronic-system-design-market-expands-in-q2] on sales of PCB design software, computer-aided engineering tools, semiconductor tools, related IP and services, and employment. This chat, we discuss the long PCB/MCM design tool rally, a massive jump in employment. broader strength across the ECAD industry, and the effects US policies toward China are having on the market.