Ontrack With Judy Warner

Join us on this episode of the Altium OnTrack Podcast as we sit down with David Schild, Executive Director of the Printed Circuit Board Association of America (PCBAA). In this insightful conversation, David shares the mission of PCBAA, its role in advocating for domestic printed circuit board manufacturers, and the unique challenges and opportunities in the industry. Discover the fascinating world of printed circuit boards and substrates as David talks about the diverse members of PCBAA, ranging from woven glass producers to drilling equipment manufacturers. Get a glimpse into the innovative world of PCBAA through David's discussion of the association's impactful business cards and the importance of physical materials in conveying industry priorities. Explore the conversation about the state of the industry, workforce challenges, and the need for sustainable growth. David sheds light on the role of automation in manufacturing facilities and the vital connection between education, advocacy, and legislation in

In this episode of the OnTrack Podcast, our host Zach Peterson sits down with Geoffrey Leeds, the founder of Leeds Engineering and Data Science. If you've ever wondered how production managers react to integrating data science into production operations, or if the term "data-driven decision-making" has piqued your interest, you're in for a treat. Geoffrey shares his journey from his time at Insulectro to venturing out to help companies embrace data science. The discussion dives deep into the challenges and opportunities of applying data science in manufacturing, with a focus on improving decision-making and efficiency. In a candid conversation, Geoffrey and Zach explore the misconceptions and hurdles faced by production managers when introduced to the world of data science. From the fear of complexity to concerns about cost and implementation, they tackle the real-world issues that arise when trying to bridge the gap between manufacturing and data science. Whether you're a seasoned professional in the field o

Today we are joined by Mohamed Badawy, Founder & CEO of Scalvy Inc. He and Zach have a fascinating conversation about Modamed's company, Scalvy, and its innovative powertrain technology. As a part of this chat, the two cover how long it takes to introduce new concepts to the market, how Scalvy's tech works, AI integration, and much more. Watch this episode here 0:00 Intro 0:55 Mohamed & Scalvy's Background 2:35 Mohamed's Research 8:14 It Takes Time to Explain a Concept 10:47 Modularization & Competitive Advantage 13:41 Safety, Reliability, & Auto Makers 19:05 Automotive Powertrain Standardization? 22:27 Creating the Powertrain Standard 23:15 Maintenance Costs? 25:00 What Happens with the Powertrain 27:08 AI Integration? 30:33 Aerospace Industry 34:14 Marine and Agricultural Vehicles?

Today we are joined by Dan Beaulieu, founder and owner of Db Management Group. He and Zach chat about the PCB industry's broad marketing trends including how it's stuck in the past, the declining trade show industry, how sales reps can stay relevant, and much more. Watch this episode here 0:00 Intro to Dan Beaulieu 5:48 Sales & Marketing Stuck in the Past 9:14 Impacts of the Domestic PCB Base 12:59 Is the Trade Show Method Going Away? 16:45 How do Reps Stay Relevant? 19:27 Focusing on Younger Designers 24:30 How Manufacturers Stand Out from the Competition 28:42 Designers and Board Shop Conflicts 31:42 Importance of Touring Shops 33:36 Capital Investment and PCB Shops 38:51 Focus on the Customer's Need, Then Provide It  

Today we are joined by Paul Durand-Estèbe, Lead Electronic Developer at Metyos. He and Zach have a fascinating conversation about how Metyos is contributing to the future of wearable medical devices. They focus on Metyos's groundbreaking wearable glucose monitoring tech, the medical field's emergent wearables trend, and much more.   0:00 Intro 1:33 Intro to Paul and Metyos 2:56 A Lesser Invasive Glucose Monitoring Device 5:08 Better Monitoring Faster 8:14 Bad Glucose Monitoring Leads to Disastrous Results 10:52 Potential Chronic Health Monitoring Systems 13:33 Why Start with Kidney Disease? 16:36 From Monitoring to Administering Medication? 18:01 Scaling Challenges (Cutout a minute before this) 22:36 Proving the Effectiveness of the Device 26:54 What Does the Manufacturing Look Like? 31:37 Initial Response to Metyos 35:56 Doctors Receiving Real-time Data

In this episode of the OnTrack Podcast, we have a chat with Benjamin Dannan, a defense & aerospace contractor. We talk about power integrity, high amps, quality reports, vendor models, the importance of verification, and much more.  Watch this episode Episode Highlights: Intro Ben's Background Power Integrity Considerations Vendor Models Quality & Accuracy Trust & Verify File Density Challenges Die (integrated circuit) Models & Packages "It's Easy to Miss Things."  Lost in the Translation Ask for Quality Reports 2,000 Amp Challenges Links and Resources: Watch Recent Related Episodes PCB Packaging & the Future of Manufacturing The Impact of the Defense Sector in the Electronic Industry Ecosystem Read Related Articles: Designing for Military and Aerospace Embedded Systems Applications Advantages of Flexible Circuits for Space Applications Connect with Benjamin Dannan on LinkedIn EDI CON Online 2023

Today we have a fascinating conversation about PCB manufacturing, reshoring, testing, and much more with Cody Endlich, Head of Strategic Sourcing at MacroFab. He and Tech Consultant Zach Peterson discuss the latest trends in manufacturing, procurement, and supplier dynamics. This is a wonderful convo for anyone interested in the future of PCB sourcing and manufacturing. 1:00 Cody's Background 2:59 Internalizing the Broker Process 4:51 What's Different about MacroFab 8:25 Where Are MacroFab's Partners? 10:17 Reshoring Efforts 12:35 Copycats? 16:09 The Sourcing Picture 20:43 How MacroFab Tests 23:42 Bringing the Process In-House 26:16 Turning Heads 29:12 A Solid Supplier Relationship 34:54 Will Mexico's Trading Role Persist 38:13 MacroFab's Biggest Growth Area 39:32 Going Forward Links and Resources: Watch Related Episodes: Macrofab: Modern EMS Solutions in North AmericaRead Related Data Security, 5G and Onshore PCB Manufacturing with Dr. Rob Spalding Achieving Diversified Electronics Supply Chain Connect wi

Today we have a chat with Daniel Kagerbauer, CTO and co-founder at Inmox. This is a fascinating conversation regarding Inmox's aim to change how industrial maintenance is done and, while their initial focus is on gearboxes, the implications for their software and sensor developments may be broadly applicable across the entire industrial landscape. The two talk about monitoring industrial systems, materials challenges, industry-specific applications, and much more. If you're interested in advancements in the industrial space, this is the episode for you. Show Highlights: Introduction to Daniel Kagerbauer CTO and co-founder of Inmox. Inmox is part of the Altium startup program called Launchpad Inmox is currently developing industry ready prototype and moving towards heavy industrial applications Commercial automotive and even the racing industry is a better fit for Inmox’s gearbox monitoring system Daniel describes in detail what their product look like, from a sensor oil screw that can monitor the vehicle’s lu

Today we're chatting with Jeff De Serrano, President of the American Division of PCB Technologies. We had a fascinating conversation about the changing nature of the PCB Manufacturing industry, focusing on aerospace, automation, AI, education, and much more. This is a wonderful episode for anyone interested in manufacturing and where the industry might be headed. Watch this episode here. Show Highlights: Intro Intro to Jeff & PCB Technologies PCB Technology's Broad Reach in Aerospace Faster Packaging Times Packaging Advantages at PCB Technologies 2D, 2 ½D, or 3D? You Need the Know-How, Not Just People Broad Capability Won't Happen Overnight Semiconductor Companies Packaging? Workforce Challenges Automation Pipedream? Getting Students into Manufacturing Manufacturing is Totally Different Now AI Has a Long Way to Go Growth Areas in Electronics? Links and Resources: Check the recent related OnTrack Podcast episodes: PCB Manufacturing Reshoring, Automation, and Sustainability with Alun Morgan Plug and Pl

In this episode of the OnTrack Podcast, we are pleased to host a thought-provoking conversation between Tech Consultant Zach Peterson and Dr. Philip Voglewede, Professor and Associate Chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Marquette University and Director at the Omron Advanced Automation Lab. Zach and Phil have a very intriguing conversation about the role of automation in the current and future industrial landscape. Anyone interested in the current state of industrial automation, manufacturing, or labor trends won't want to miss Phil's insights, many of which are rooted in his work for the ground-breaking Omron Lab. Show Highlights: 0:00 Intro 1:03 Phil & Omron Advanced Automation Lab 2:13 Pushing to Fail 5:27 A Space to Play 7:28 Omron's Early Achievements 11:26 De-Siloing & Student Response 16:37 Companies Noticing Student Skills 17:47 Students Handling Complex Problems 19:39 Grappling with the Role of Automation 23:05 Where Do We Get ROI? 25:18 Management is Adapting 27:14 The TOTAL

There's a new workflow offering coming soon as a result of the collaboration between Altium and ANSYS. And today, we are joined by Joao Beck, Altium's Director of Enterprise Technical Marketing, to give us all the details. This new workflow is yet another step in Altium's quest toward a digital ecosystem, acting as an important bridge between ECAD and simulation Make sure to watch the entire episode so you can fully understand what's coming your way soon. Show Highlights: 0:00 Intro 0:50 Altium's New Workflow Offering 4:53 MCAD CoDesigner in Simulation? 7:28 A Full Suite of Capabilities 8:20 What the Workflow Looks Like 10:40 What's in the Revision History 12:47 The Report 14:14 Version Control & Rolling Back Simulations? 16:16 Simulation to Altium & Vice Versa 21:43 Mechanical Simulation? 23:00 The Digital Bridge Ecosystem 25:38 Broader Access? 26:42 Who's This For?

We're joined today by the Technology Ambassador at Ventec and President of the European Institute for the PCB Community (EIPC), Alun Morgan. He and host Zach Peterson have a broad, thoughtful conversation centered on PCB manufacturing. They chat about emerging manufacturing markets, potential for supplier buyouts, reshoring, automation, and much more. This is a fascinating conversation for anyone looking to get a current view on the international manufacturing market, as well as valuable insights into where it might be headed. Show Highlights: 0:00 Intro 0:40 Current Manufacturing Trends in Europe 9:20 Growth in Packaging 14:49 Producing at Scale 21:31 Up and Coming International Manufacturing Markets 23:52 Big Manufacturers Getting Bigger? 29:21 Return to Buying Out Suppliers? 31:36 Variable Costs, PCB Manufacturing, & Reshoring 34:30 Pricing Pressures & Automation 40:39 Automation: Prices, Reliability, & Sustainability 45:04 Wrap-Up Links and Resources: Watch more of Alun Morgan: Materials Scien

We have a very interesting topic today! The impact of the defense sector on the electronic industry. Our guest Nathan Edwards, an Executive Director, U.S. Partnership for Assured Electronics (USPAE) will share with us what goes in a Defense Electronic Consortium (DEC) and how all of these impact the electronics eco-system. We will also touch a little about supply chain diversification and onshoring efforts here in the US. Watch through the end, this is a very special episode you don’t want to miss. We have a very interesting topic today! The impact of the defense sector on the electronic industry. Watch this episode here Show Highlights: Introduction to Nathan Edwards Nathan briefly share his background in the electronic industry in both government and commercial sector What is United States Partnership for Assured Electronics (USPAE) and what is its involvement in the Defense Electronic Consortium (DEC)? Nathan explains what goes on DEC Small and medium size electronic companies could benefit in participatin

We are very fortunate to have Dr. Eyal Weiss for today’s episode. He is the CTO and founder of Cybord, an AI tool for detecting counterfeit hardware and electrical components. This is a very exciting conversation. We will talk about a better, practical applications of AI in the electronics industry, outside of design. Watch through the end and make sure to check all the additional links and resources below. Watch the episode here. Show Highlights: Introduction to Dr. Eyal Weiss, CTO and founder of Cybord an AI tool for detecting counterfeit hardware and components Dr. Eyal Weiss's company is using AI-based component inspection services to detect counterfeits and ensure component quality. The system utilizes images of individual components taken during the placement process, leveraging big data and deep learning technology. The software integrates seamlessly with existing pick-and-place machines' internal vision systems, making it a plug-and-play solution. AI plays a crucial role in understanding and processin

Sustainability in electronics encompasses environmental, social, and corporate governance aspects, and IPC aims to make it easier for companies by providing standards, education, and advocacy to navigate these complex issues. In this episode, we are very pleased to have Kelly Scanlon of IPC to enlighten us about the importance of sustainability in the electronics industry and how you can contribute as a PCB designer. Watch this episode here. Show Highlights: Introduction to Kelly Scanlon, the Lead Sustainability Strategist at IPC Kelly talks about her role at IPC and her background before landing her current position Kelly explains that sustainability covers environmental, social, and corporate governance The European Union (EU) has been leaders in producing policies that have real opportunities for environmental change, in the space of sustainability What are the ways can companies prove their compliance to sustainability? Environmental sustainability in the electronics industry has well-defined processes an

Is there a need for a photonic iPhones and smartphones? We have a very interesting topic today with our guest Daniel Pérez López, the CTO and Co-Founder of iPRONICS, programmable photonics. “When we refer to programmable photonics, we are referring to the ability of first being able to integrate light signals into a semiconductor chip that is widely known as integrated photonics, integrated optics.” -Daniel Perez Lopez   Watch this episode here.   Show Highlights: Tune in now and watch through the end, you wouldn’t want to miss this! introduction to Daniel Perez Lopez Co-founder and CTO of iPronics What are programmable photonics? The photonic field or the integrated photonic field, is mainly limited to two key volume driven market segments that are transceivers and data centers One of the growing benefits of photonics is to ability to configure systems, real-timebases on the specific environmental condition and specific performance Photonics technology as a complimentary technology to electronics

We have a seasoned favorite guest in the podcast today. John Mitchell the President and CEO of IPC talks about his new book Firing Your Hiring Habits. This is a very insightful conversation! We tackled acquisition, retaining and upskilling talents in your team. PCB designers, aspiring entrepreneurs and leaders in any company will surely benefit from this discussion. Make sure to watch through the end and check the additional resources below. Watch this episode here. Show Highlights: Introduction to John Mitchell and his new book, Fire Your Hiring Habits John Mitchell shares his inspiration about writing the book and revealed who he wrote it for The two fundamental problems in building a team are one, acquiring the right talents, and second retaining them The key to retention is helping employees aspire for a career and providing them with a pathway to reach a higher goal “Upskilling” is also a significant factor to retaining employees especially now that we have AI’s that manage automated processes How is the

Better thermal efficiency, how to do better power efficiency, how to reduce losses, how to help people handle those thermal losses? This episode is a real treat. Our guest Steven Schnier, Systems Engineer for Power Management at Texas Instruments generously shares the different strategies for designing better thermal and power efficient PCB. Watch through the end, this episode is sure have great tips and strategies that you don’t want to miss. Watch this episode here. Show Highlights: Introduction to Steven Schnier, Systems Engineer for Power Management at Texas Instruments Steven shares that Texas Instrument is currently focusing on better thermal efficiency, how to do better power efficiency, how to reduce losses, how to help people handle those thermal losses What is the best strategy in regulating the LDO? Eliminating the LDO to lower the noise, but keep in mind that LDO does not solve all the noise issues Steven briefly explains the difference between low noise, ripple, and EMI Using a ferrite bead filte

Lukas Henkel, our guest in this episode was already into electronic engineering at age 10. He will share with us what made him interested in designing electronics, some details about the development of his Open-source laptop project, and will even give us a sneak peek of the actual design development on Altium Designer. You don’t want to miss this! Watch through the end and be sure to check the additional resources below. Watch this episode here Get Your First Month of Altium Designer® for FREE Episode Highlights: Lukassz Lawrocki, Technical Marketing Manager at Altium makes a special appearance to explain Altium’s new initiative that encourages and supports electrical engineers to create open-source projects The open source Laptop project by Lukas Henkel is the first project to be supported by this new initiative Introduction to Lukas Henkel Lukas talks about his background and his first electronic project at age 10 Robert Feranec  and the Altium OnTrack Podcast are just a couple of Lukas’s inspirat

The globalization of the electronics supply chain has been a widely discussed topic, and having Andrew Hupert, an esteemed supply chain consultant, in this episode is incredibly timely. In this insightful discussion, Andrew sheds light on Mexico's distinctive edge in electronics production. Furthermore, he provides us with a comprehensive comparison of the logistical aspects between Mexico's and China's production processes. Key Highlights: Introduction to Andrew Hupert, professor at Holt University and Supply Chain Consultant Andrew talks about his career in cross-cultural negotiation. From China to Thailand, Vietnam, and now to Mexico Compliance costs are becoming unmanageable, and logistics becoming more unpredictable, these are just a couple of the challenges in the electronics supply chain NAFTA (North America Free Trade Agreement ) aka USMCA, the US, Mexico, and Canada agreement puts Mexico on top of the list as far as production sites for large-scale factories US trade agreement with Columbia, is it po