PCB Chat

PCB Chat 157: Tomachie's CJ Clark Discusses AI-driven Schematic and Test Analysis

Tomachie has quite a few tricks up its sleeve. Its eponymous platform provides AI-assisted analysis of PCB schematic data. It optimizes DfT and identifies the ideal locations for physical test point insertion. And it generates a 0-100 layout-readiness score, providing design teams with an objective, data-driven metric. Tomachie is the brainchild of CJ Clark, a veteran test engineer with a background in JTAG and boundary scan technology, not to mention five patents under his belt. He is also CEO of Intellitech, Tomachie's sibling company. CJ spoke with Andy Shaughnessy about Tomachie, what AI can and can't do, and why he wishes his team had access to a tool like this 25 years ago.

RM 193: Why Post-Reflow Cleaning Is Becoming Mainstream Again

For decades, cleaning circuit assemblies after soldering was not optional. It was standard practice across the electronics manufacturing industry. Then, almost overnight, that changed. In this episode of Reliability Matters, Mike Konrad takes you back to the origins of that shift. From the widespread use of CFC-based cleaning solvents to the global impact of the Montreal Protocol, this episode explains how environmental regulation led to the rapid adoption of no-clean flux and the removal of cleaning as a standard process step. But that decision came with assumptions. Assumptions based on larger components, wider spacing, and assemblies that were far more tolerant of residues than what we see today. As electronics evolved, so did the risk. Miniaturization, increased component density, and the expansion of electronics into harsh environments have dramatically reduced the tolerance for contamination. And when cleaning was removed, it wasn’t just flux that remained. It was the totality of residues introduced throughout the manufacturing process. This episode walks through how those residues, combined with moisture and electrical bias, can lead to electrochemical migration, including parasitic leakage and dendritic growth, often resulting in delayed or intermittent failures. This is the story of how we got here. In Part 2, we bring this discussion into the present. What does “clean” actually mean today? Why did the industry move away from fixed cleanliness limits? And why is cleaning once again becoming a critical part of modern electronics manufacturing? If you’ve ever asked the question, “Do I really need to clean?” Part 2 will challenge how you think about the answer.

RM 192: Why PCB Revision Errors Are a Hidden Reliability Risk

Today, we’re going to explore a topic that doesn’t always get the attention it deserves but has a direct impact on product quality and long-term reliability. Mike Konrad is joined by Mehdi Nahali, founder of PCB Revision Control PRO. His platform is designed to replace spreadsheets, emails, and disconnected systems with a centralized approach to PCB revision lifecycle management and factory intelligence.  They going to talk about how revision control, data integrity, and process discipline impact reliability, and where manufacturers are still getting it wrong.

RM 191: Why Maintenance Is Finally Getting a Seat at the Table

Today’s episode is going to resonate with anyone responsible for uptime, efficiency, and ultimately, product reliability.  Because whether we’re talking about circuit assemblies, manufacturing lines, or entire facilities, reliability doesn’t start at inspection. It starts with maintenance. Mike Konradf's guest is Paul Ross, chief marketing officer at Limble, a company providing modern maintenance and asset management solutions to thousands of organizations worldwide. With more than 25 years of experience in enterprise and high-growth software companies, Ross has spent his career helping organizations leverage data, systems, and strategy to improve performance. Today, we’re going to explore how maintenance has evolved from a reactive necessity to a strategic driver of reliability, what companies are still getting wrong, and how modern tools are changing the game.

PCB Chat 156: Lauren Waslick and Kristen Aguiar of Newgrange Design

Printed circuit designers Lauren Waslick and Kristen Aguiar of Newgrange Design have become mainstays as presenters at industry conferences such as PCB East and PCB West. Neither, however, anticipated a career in PCBs coming out of college. They discuss their career paths, finding mentors, and adjusting to a male-heavy industry with PCEA managing editor Ryann Howard.