Podcast appearances and mentions of mike konrad

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

Ever wondered what it takes to turn a reluctant start into a flourishing entrepreneurial journey? Discover the fascinating story of Mike Konrad, a podcaster, author, and industry raconteur, as he shares his unexpected path to entrepreneurship and authorship. With his book, "The Reluctant Entrepreneur," at the heart of our conversation, Mike opens up about the motivations that fueled his writing and the invaluable lessons learned from a 32-year business journey. He recounts how engaging with university students helped him reflect on significant anecdotes, emphasizing the importance of learning from mistakes. Mike also shares his thoughts on the evolving entrepreneurial landscape and the vital qualities of resilience and adaptability amidst the ever-changing venture capital market.Shifting gears to the essence of customer relationships, Mike draws inspiration from iconic brands like Nike and Patagonia to illustrate the power of emotional connections. Through his active involvement with the Surface Mount Technology Association (SMTA), he highlights the unique, volunteer-driven approach that fosters genuine networking and collaboration within the electronics assembly industry. As we round off our conversation, there's an air of excitement about upcoming industry events such as Apex in Anaheim, California, where opportunities for future connections abound. With a delightful mix of personal anecdotes and industry insights, this episode promises to enrich your understanding of entrepreneurship and the profound impact of networking.USEFUL LINKSInformation about The Reluctant Entrepreneur Podcast is available from Mike at:mike@mikekonrad.com The Reliability Matters Podcast website: https://www.reliabilitymatterspodcast.com Links to my book, The Reluctant Entrepreneur - Anatomy of a Business Start-Up - From Uncertainty to Unstoppable: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DFFN6ZG2/?bestFormat=true&k=the%20reluctant%20entrepreneur&ref_=nb_sb_ss_w_scx-ent-pd-bk-d_de_k0_1_26&crid=1YOISPXML4C0N&sprefix=the%20reluctant%20entrepreneur Aqueous Technologies: https://www.aqueoustech.comLike every episode of EMS@C-Level, this one was sponsored by global inspection leader Koh Young (https://www.kohyoung.com).You can see video versions of all of the EMS@C-Level pods on our YouTube playlist.

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. 

Frustrated with appliance delays? You're not alone! In this episode, Dominic Rubino talks with Mike Konrad, CEO of Aqueous Technologies, to explain why it's happening and what contractors can do about it.

Today, we're diving into one of the most transformative innovations of our time: electric vehicles and the vast infrastructure needed to support their growth.  Joining host Mike Konrad is Brian O'Leary, global head of of e-Mobility & Infrastructure at Indium Corporation, a leading expert with deep insights into the electronic assembly industry and its critical role in the EV revolution. As electric vehicles continue to redefine the future of transportation, the reliability and scalability of the infrastructure that powers them—particularly public EV charging stations—have become pivotal challenges.  The electronics assembly industry is at the heart of these systems, from the semiconductors enabling fast charging to the sensors ensuring safe and efficient operation. However, with nearly 26% of public EV charging stations estimated to be nonfunctional at any given time, reliability remains a significant hurdle. This episode will explore the major reliability issues plaguing public EV charging stations, including power instability, component failures, and environmental challenges. How innovations in electronics design and assembly can address these challenges, from improving thermal management to leveraging advanced materials like those developed by soldering materials manufacturers. The exciting opportunities for the electronics industry to lead the charge in building a more resilient, reliable, and efficient EV infrastructure. Brian O'Leary brings a wealth of knowledge on how advanced materials, smart assembly techniques, and innovative designs can solve these pressing issues and accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles.  Together, we'll review the technical challenges, explore solutions, and look ahead to the bright future of electric mobility. Chapters: 00:00:00 The Future of Transportation with Electric Vehicles 00:02:48 Fascination with Electric Vehicles  00:06:03 The Dilemma of Electric Vehicles: A Personal Story  00:09:12 Global Automotive Industry Trends  00:12:22 The Simplicity of EV Design vs. Combustion Engines  00:15:25 Notorious Tech Launch Strategies  00:18:22 Stress on Electric Vehicle Components 00:21:34 Differences in EV Charging Technology 00:24:23 Optimal Conditions for EV Battery Performance 00:27:15 Safety Debate: Lithium-ion Batteries vs. Gasoline Engines 00:30:28 The Evolution of Safer Battery Chemistries 00:33:45 Challenges with EV Charging Infrastructure 00:37:22 EV Charging Station Failures: Understanding the 26% Rate 00:40:30 Environmental Challenges for Electronics in Unusual Locations 00:43:32 Quality Control in Electronics Manufacturing  00:46:29 Tesla Charging Stations: Reliability and Self-Reporting  00:49:30 Challenges with Remote EV Charging Stations  00:52:35 Adoption of Tesla's Charging Standard in North America 00:55:41 Evolution of High-Reliability Alloys in Automotive 00:58:44 The Future of Autonomous Vehicles in Traffic Management 01:01:39 Future of Autonomous Transportation 01:04:42 Localization Trends in EV Manufacturing 01:07:43 The Promise of Flying Cars and Exponential Tech Growth 01:10:36 Introduction to Reliability Matters Podcast

Today we're celebrating the end of another incredible year. This isn't just any episode—it's a time to reflect on the journey we've been on together, highlight some milestones, and share a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has made this podcast such a success. Can you believe it? Reliability Matters has now released 159 episodes! It feels like just yesterday we started this podcast with the mission to explore how industry experts and their knowledge contribute to the reliability of electronics. And here we are—growing, learning, and making a real impact in our field.But here's what blows me away the most: over 85,000 downloads. That's not just a number—it's a testament to you, our amazing audience. Whether you're listening in your car or on your morning jog, or watching this on our YouTube channel, you've made this podcast part of your journey. And for that, I'm deeply grateful.This year alone, we've covered some fascinating topics. From ultra-high-density interconnects to post-reflow inspection, from thermal profiling to cutting-edge coating materials—we've explored it all. Along the way, I've had the privilege of sitting down with some of the brightest minds in the electronics industry.  Each guest has brought their unique insights, helping us all better understand the intricate science and art behind building reliable electronics.To my incredible guests—thank you. Your willingness to share your expertise, stories, and even a few laughs has been the lifeblood of this podcast. Every episode is a reflection of your generosity and brilliance.I also want to give a shout-out to you—yes, you. Whether you're a long-time listener or you just discovered us this year, you're the reason I do this.  The messages, the comments, the emails—it's all so inspiring. When you tell me how a particular episode helped solve a problem, spark a new idea, or simply make your day better, it reminds me why Reliability Matters matters.As we wrap up the year, I'm reminded of something I say often on this show: reliability isn't just a goal; it's a journey. It's a series of choices, processes, and innovations that, together, ensure the technology we rely on lives up to its promise. And this podcast? It's a part of that journey. It's a space where we can learn together, challenge assumptions, and stay ahead of the curve in an ever-evolving industry.Mike Konrad's Contact Info:mike@mikekonrad.comhttps://www.reliabilitymatterspodcast.com 

The hosts of the D-Code podcast are a dynamic trio of young professionals making waves in the electronics manufacturing industry.  With experience rooted in contract manufacturing and stencil fabrication for electronics assemblies, they bring a fresh perspective to the table. Although they're at the start of their podcasting journey, D-Code has already begun to attract attention, tackling industry insights with a unique lens that up-and-coming voices can uniquely offer.  Mike Konrad's guests are Daniel Stanphill, SMT process engineer at Aurora Boardworks, a contract assembler located in Aurora, Nebraska; Sean Kincaid, president of K & F Electronics, located in Fraser, Michigan, also a contract manufacturer; and Elias Malfavon, president of Metal Etch Services, a SMT stencil fabricator located in San Marcos, California. Mike asks them about their experiences, challenges, and how they're setting out to decode the world of electronics manufacturing. Chapters: 00:00:00 Introducing the Hosts of Decode Podcast 00:02:37 Key Factors in Choosing a Contract Manufacturer 00:05:53 Evolution of Contract Manufacturers   00:06:20 00:08:03 Evolution of Manufacturing Technology and Job Dynamics 00:10:34 Challenges with Stencil Rigidity  00:13:19 Challenges in Contract Manufacturing for High-Requirement Industries  00:15:57 Advanced Techniques in Moisture Sensitive Electronics 00:18:31 Advantages of Board Fabrication and Design Knowledge in Contract Assembly 00:21:18 Improving PCB Design for Manufacturing Efficiency 00:24:04 Overcoming Manufacturing Challenges with PCB Finishes 00:26:52 Debate on Gloss vs. Matte in PCB Soldering 00:29:31 Advances in SMT Stencil Materials and Technologies 00:32:26 The Challenges of Stencil Printing  00:35:15 The Idea Behind the Podcast  00:37:42 Insights from PCB Manufacturing Experts 00:40:19 Collaborating in Competitive Spaces  00:42:54 Starting a Podcast: Challenges and Solutions 00:45:38 Overcoming Podcast Challenges  00:48:26 The Shift from In-Person Networking to Digital Collaboration 00:51:18 The Evolution of Networking and Conferences  00:54:05 Career Opportunities in Engineering  00:56:37 The Value of IPC Certifications in SMT Production 00:59:37 Influencers in the Electronic Assembly Industry 01:02:12 How to Engage with Reliability Matters Podcast    

On today's episode, we're turning our focus to a pivotal innovation that has transformed design and manufacturing processes: flexible circuits. Flexible circuits have emerged as a game-changer in the manufacturing and design of electronic assemblies. With their unique ability to bend, twist, and conform to complex shapes, they offer unparalleled advantages in applications where space is at a premium and reliability is paramount.  From wearable technology and medical devices to aerospace systems and consumer electronics, the use of flexible circuits has expanded rapidly, bringing with it both opportunities and challenges. In this episode, we'll explore the evolution of flexible circuit technology, discussing its key benefits, such as lightweight construction, enhanced durability, and improved design freedom.  We'll also touch on the manufacturing complexities, material considerations, and the critical role that process control plays in ensuring reliability and performance. Mike Konrad's guest today is Joseph Fjelstad. Joe is the founder of Verdant Electronics. Joseph Fjelstad has been active in electronics manufacturing since 1972 in various roles, including as a chemist, process engineer, and R&D manager. He holds nearly 190 US patents and numerous foreign ones.  He is an internationally recognized expert, inventor and lecturer in the field of electronics interconnection technology and a veteran of several startup companies, including: Beta Phase, ELF Technologies, MetaRAM, Silicon Pipe, and Tessera (now the public company, Xperi). Some of Joe's innovative devices and novel reliability improving IC packaging structural features are found in nearly every electronic device made today.  He is also an author, co-author or editor of several books on interconnection technology, including Flexible Circuit Technology 4th Edition, the most widely distributed reference book on the topic, Chip Scale Packaging for Modern Electronics, and Solderless Assembly For Electronics — The SAFE Approach.  In addition, Fjelstad has written hundreds of articles, columns and commentaries for various industry magazines and journals over the last five decades. And today, he's the guest on my show. 00:00:00 Importance of Flexible Circuits in Modern Electronics   00:02:42 Exploring the World of Flexible Circuits   00:05:30 Introduction to Flexible Circuits: A Historical Perspective 00:08:43 Entrepreneurship Mindset: Naivety and Innovation 00:11:08 The Value of Naivety in Engineering   00:13:43 Innovations in Bubble Printing Technology   00:16:47 Understanding Flex Circuits: Applications and Challenges 00:19:58 The Lifespan and Failure of Torsion Bars   00:22:21 Evolution of Soldier Technology: From Heads-Up Displays to Wearables 00:25:24 The Origins of the Integrated Circuit 00:28:13 Advances in Microelectronics: From Printed Transistors to Modern Tech 00:31:28 Challenges and Solutions in Flexible Circuit Design 00:34:00 Collaborative Design for Efficient Manufacturing   00:36:49 Advances in Flexible HDI and the Upcoming Ultra HDI Conference   00:39:46 Evolution of Flexible Circuits: From 1903 to Present    00:42:40 Innovating Flexible Circuits   00:45:13 Evolution of Toll Road Technology 00:48:08 The Future of Flexible and Stretchable Circuits 00:51:53 Introduction to Verdant Electronics   00:54:46 The Military's Stance on Lead-Free Technology   00:56:27 Innovating Solderless Technology 00:59:18 Insights on Persistence and Success in Entrepreneurship

One of the most critical aspects of manufacturing high-reliability circuit assemblies is thermal profiling during the reflow process.  Whether you're designing, engineering, or troubleshooting circuit assemblies, understanding how temperatures during the reflow process influences the quality and performance of your assemblies is essential.  In this episode, we'll break down what thermal profiling is, why it's important, and how it affects everything from solder joint integrity to component placement.  We'll also explore the challenges and solutions involved in getting your thermal profile just right, ensuring your circuit assemblies are built to last in a competitive and demanding industry.  And we review thermal profiling best practices, common mistakes, and the various capabilities of thermal profilers. Mike Konrad's guest is Mark Waterman. Waterman is the Electronics division manager at ECD, a manufacturer of thermal profiling equipment founded in 1964. He began his career at ECD in 2006. Chapters: 00:00:00 Understanding Thermal Profiling in Circuit Assemblies  00:05:19 Evolution of a Manufacturing Business  00:08:00 Understanding Thermal Profiling in Electronics Soldering 00:10:36 Strategies for Circuit Assembly Insulation  00:13:10 Challenges in Sourcing Obsolete Electronic Components 00:15:48 Challenges in Heat Dissipation for 5G and 6G Electronics 00:18:54 Choosing the Right Thermocouple: K Type vs. Others 00:21:35 Challenges with High-Temperature Materials 00:24:04 Determining Thermal Couples for Optimal Measurement 00:26:39 Innovations in Profiling Equipment Technology 00:29:24 Innovations in Display Screens and Risk Mitigation 00:31:55 Cost-Benefit Analysis of Data Loggers  00:34:31 Importance of Calibration Intervals in Industry  00:37:02 The Role of Data Logging in Thermal Profiling 00:39:30 Optimizing Reflow Oven Settings with Predictive Software 00:42:18 Easy Button vs. Detailed Work: Software Development Insights 00:45:20 Common Mistakes in Using Thermal Profilers  00:47:37 Optimizing Thermocouple Measurements in Electronics  00:50:08 Understanding Thermal Barriers and Heat Management 00:52:22 Understanding Thermal Dissipation Challenges 00:54:59 The Importance of Third-Party Auditors in Manufacturing 00:57:32 Insights on Thermal Profiling and Bespoke Solutions 00:59:54 Podcast Contact and Closing Remarks  

If you're part of the electronics landscape, you've likely encountered the role contract manufacturers play — and it's a critical one. These specialized partners bridge the gap between design innovation and full-scale production, bringing efficiency, expertise, and flexibility to the table. As companies seek to meet growing demand for advanced electronic products, contract manufacturers are increasingly relied upon to provide cost-effective, high-quality assembly services. Whether it's managing supply chains, ensuring compliance with industry standards, or accelerating time to market, their contributions have become indispensable. In today's episode, Mike Konrad explores how contract manufacturing works, why it's so vital, and what trends are shaping the future of this essential industry. Adrian Leal serves as USA business development manager for Teltonika EMS and is president of the Houston SMTA Chapter. With over 30 years of experience in the manufacturing industry, he has worked extensively as both an end-user and a service provider. Throughout his career, he has held diverse roles including process engineer, manufacturing engineer, quality engineer, field engineer, and sales engineer. In 2003, Leal became the first engineer from the oil and gas industry to earn the prestigious Process Engineer certification from the SMTA. From 2006 to 2015, he voluntarily took on the role of ESD Subject Matter Expert for SLB, where he developed an internal ESD program that remains in use today. Leal talks about his transition from an OEM to a contract manufacturer and recommendations on how to choose the most appropriate contract manufacturer.

As the demand for more durable and dependable electronics continues to rise across industries, the choice of soldering materials, such as solder paste, plays a pivotal role in determining the reliability of these devices. We'll discuss how selecting the right solder paste can influence performance and longevity, and we'll hear from an industry expert about the latest advancements and best practices in soldering material technology.  Mike Konrad's guest is Ebad Rehman, regional product manager at MacDermid Alpha Electronics Solutions. He has a master's in technology from Illinois State University and has led multiple technical and strategic projects for MacDermid Alpha, including new product development and technology development projects, using lean and agile methodologies. He's also planned and developed processes for the Power Electronics group and the Aftermarket Enhancement group to drive efficiencies and effectiveness.  Whether you're a seasoned engineer or someone new to the electronic assembly industry, this episode will equip you with the knowledge to make informed decisions that enhance the reliability of your electronic assemblies. Join us as we explore the critical intersection of materials science and electronics reliability.   Chapters: 00:00:00 Importance of Soldering Materials in Electronics Reliability 00:02:06 Evolution in Soldering: From Lead to Lead-Free 00:03:53 Trends in Automotive Industry Adaptations 00:05:59 Understanding High Reliability in Different Industries 00:08:04 Enhancing Material Reliability for Safety-Critical Applications 00:10:12 Classifications of Reliability in Electronics  00:12:29 Selecting Solder Paste for Wearable Devices in Harsh Conditions 00:14:29 Ensuring Reliability in Electronics  00:16:27 Understanding Electrochemical Reliability in Circuit Design 00:18:27 Understanding No-Clean Solder Paste Reliability  00:20:29 Choosing the Right Powder for SMT Applications 00:22:37 Understanding Type Numbers and Their Industry Impact 00:24:44 Addressing Environmental Concerns in Soldering Materials  00:26:52 Achieving Sustainability Goals with Recycled Tin  00:29:00 The Benefits of Zero Discharge Practices 00:30:56 Thermomechanical and Electrochemical Reliability Challenges 00:32:59 Emerging Trends in the Electronics Industry 00:34:54 Challenges in Thermomechanical and Electrochemical Reliability  00:36:53 Standardization and Industry Collaboration 00:38:56 Best Practices for Consumer Buying Habits in Electronics 00:41:05 Future Trends in Electronics Reliability  00:43:16 Embracing Change in Electronics Assembly Industry 00:45:12 Evolving Soldering Materials and Environmental Standards 00:47:01 How to Engage with the Reliability Matters Podcast    

We've discussed the silver tsunami on the show numerous times, the unprecedented rate of which employees are retiring. When engineers and other employees retire from companies, they take with them more than a set of gold cufflinks or an engraved plaque. In many cases, they also take with them wisdom and knowledge. Perhaps this is never truer than in the case of Mike Konrad's guest today. And who is that? Doug Pauls. Pauls holds a B.A. in chemistry and physics from Carthage College, and a B.S. in electrical engineering from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He worked nine years for the Navy, eight years as technical director of Contamination Studies Labs, and more than 20 years at Rockwell Collins (now Collins Aerospace), in the Advanced Operations Engineering group where he is a technical fellow and, a principal materials and process engineer. He was awarded the Rockwell Collins Arthur A. Collins Engineer of the Year Award in 2004 as well as numerous other awards. Paul is a longtime (well over 30 years) IPC chairman and was awarded the IPC's Hall of Fame Award in 2017. Most notably, he is known for his expertise in surface insulation resistance testing, cleaning and cleanliness assessment, conformal coatings, and how to investigate and qualify manufacturing processes. He has been a U.S. representative to ISO and IEC working groups on SIR, electromigration, and cleanliness reliability standards. He has participated in numerous national and international consortia on electronics manufacturing materials and processes. He recently led a team of SMEs to redefine the cleanliness provisions of J-STD-001, culminating in what is presently J-STD-001H. To take liberties with a famous Mark Twain quote “rumors of my retirement have been greatly exaggerated”. For several years now, I've heard rumors of Pauls' retirement. Well, that day has finally come.  Konrad talks with Pauls about his long career within the electronics assembly industry: his triumphs and challenges, and his journey in this ever-changing, dynamic, and challenging industry. If you're new to this industry, stick around listen to Doug's advice to young people entering our world, the world of electronics assembly.   00:00:00 - Introduction to Doug Pauls' Career in the Electronic Assembly Industry 00:02:57 - Reliability Matters Podcast Introduction 00:06:04 - Sharing wisdom with early career individuals 00:09:34 - Hobbies Outside of Work 00:12:44 - The Minions and World Domination 00:16:23 - Overcoming Shyness through Theater and Public Speaking Lessons 00:19:41 - Lessons Learned from Skilled Trades People 00:23:03 - Working in the Department of the Navy 00:26:21 - Learning from Asking Questions and Trying New Things 00:29:38 - Learning from the Old Guys 00:33:05 - Participating in Standards Development 00:36:32 - The Power of Networking and Technical Committees 00:40:01 - The Value of Leadership Skills in Collaborative Industries 00:43:15 - Collaboration in the Electronics Industry 00:46:18 - Developing Valuable Skills in Problem-Solving 00:49:39 - Transitioning to Rockwell Collins 00:52:59 - The Four Pillars of Career Advancement at Collins Aerospace 00:56:32 - Finding Resources for Personal Growth 01:00:01 - Industry Updates and Resources 01:03:26 - The Value of Old Guy Stories 01:06:46 - The Importance of Understanding How Things are Made 01:10:08 - Retirement Plans, Consulting, and the Future 01:13:10 - An Unconventional Industry Presentation 01:15:59 - Thank You for Listening to the Reliability Matters Podcast    

This episode was recorded at SMTA's Pan Pacific Strategic Electronics Symposium on the Big Island of Hawaii. Mike Konrad's guests on this episode are Dr. Chuck Bauer, founder of PanPac, Keith Bryant, and Dr. Ron Lasky. We discussed the history of PanPac, technologies introduced at PanPac, and what makes PanPac so unique. We also discuss Dartmouth College's unique engineering innovations program.   Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to the Reliability Matters Podcast 00:01:35 - Introduction: Dr. Chuck Bower and Keith Bryant 00:03:23 - The Motivation Behind Starting IMAPS and SMTA 00:05:16 - Global Participation in the Event 00:07:25 - High Level Participants and Learning Experience 00:09:23 - The Conference of Interesting Things 00:11:01 - Speaking to the Thought Leaders of the Industry 00:12:40 - Preconceived Notions about the Event 00:14:26 - The Best Event for Networking and Fundamental Research 00:16:05 - Networking at Conferences 00:17:42 - The Advantage of Combining Innovation and Engineering 00:19:17 - Fostering Entrepreneurship among Students 00:20:57 - The Future of Young People 00:22:34 - Challenging Stereotypes about the New Generation 00:24:03 - Advice for Emerging Engineers and Technicians 00:27:17 - The Benefits of a Liberal Arts Education in Engineering 00:28:48 - Bringing Students to the Conference for Experience 00:30:11 - Entrepreneurship and Thinking Outside the Box 00:31:46 - The Value of Thinking like an Entrepreneur 00:33:22 - The Advantages of Ignorance in Starting a Business 00:34:51 - Throw caution to the wind and pursue your passions 00:36:25 - Appreciation and Thanks 00:37:49 - Stay Safe, Stay Happy, Stay Healthy

Optimization has become an important goal within the electronics assembly industry. While modern electronics assembly techniques utilize a variety of equipment, one specific type of equipment often consumes a disproportionate percentage of the overall equipment budget, that is the place machine. The cost of the machine, associated conveyors and feeders, require that the machine is running as often as possible. The airline industry refers to this as “wheels up” time. Airlines make money when the aircraft is in the air “wheels up.” On the other hand, anytime the wheels are down, the aircraft is not making money for the airline. I listened to an interview a few years ago with the CEO of Southwest Airlines, a US discount carrier. Unlike most other airlines, Southwest does not charge its customers to check bags. The CEO was asked by the reporter why they have not joined the rest of the industry in charging for checked bags. The CEO's answer was genius. If Southwest Airlines began charging for check bags, it would actually slow the boarding process as more and more passengers would drag their bags onto the aircraft, most likely resulting in a number of those bags having to be checked at the gate.  Southwest Airlines is famous for having the fastest aircraft gate turns in the industry, frequently under 30 minutes. Yet, if Southwest Airlines charged for checked baggage, it would require more time at the gate before the next flight would be ready to depart. That would result in fewer flight segments per aircraft per day. In other words, allowing customers to check bags for free equates to more “wheels up” time and, subsequently, more profit for the airline. The same principal can apply to pick-and place machines. When pick-and-place machines are running product, they are making presumably making money. When they sit idle, they are arguably costing money. What can assemblers do to improve the optimization or “wheels up” time on their pick-and-place machines? Mike Konrad's guest, Larry Welk, believes he has an answer. Welk, a.k.a. Professor Splice, is coowner of Smart Splice, a manufacturer of tape splicing tools. Welk reviews tape splicing best practices and explain how tape splicing, when performed correctly, can lead to higher pick-and-place machine optimization. So, buckle your seatbelt: this podcast episode is officially wheels up! Chapters: 00:00:00 - The Importance of Optimization in Electronic Assembly 00:02:34 - Tape Splicing: Best Practices 00:05:12 - Tape Splicing and its Advantages in the Industry 00:07:42 - Continuous Tape Splicing 00:10:10 - Splicing Techniques in Machine Assembly 00:12:31 - Ensuring Quality and Reliability of Tape Splices 00:14:57 - The importance of alignment in splicing 00:17:21 - Types of Tapes and Their Impact on Splicing 00:19:54 - Challenges with Tape Splicing 00:22:09 - Adjusting Feeder Tension 00:24:25 - Splicing and Reel Management in the Industry 00:26:46 - Splicing Parts in the Electronics Industry 00:29:02 - Common Mistakes in Tape Splicing 00:31:34 - Issues with Tape Splicing 00:34:03 - The Crimping Tool and Tape Issues 00:36:25 - The Importance of Switching Techniques 00:38:53 - Improving Production Efficiency through Component Evaluation 00:41:44 - A demonstration of the old tape splicing method 00:44:08 - Splicing Tape Procedure Comparison 00:46:38 - Faster Splicing Technique 00:49:15 - The Negative Experiences with Splicing 00:51:55 - The Benefits of Splicing 00:54:22 - Transitioning from Technician to Salesman 00:56:40 - Conclusion and Farewell  

Today, we delve into an increasingly critical aspect of technology and electronics manufacturing - the pursuit of environmentally responsible electronics manufacturing. Our industry has witnessed many environmental revolutions.  The elimination of popular cleaning solvents brought on by the Montreal Protocol in 1989, soon followed by strict VOC regulations pertaining to cleaning chemicals. The switch from lead-based solders to lead-free alloys, led by the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive, known as RoHS, implemented within the EU in 2003 and adopted nearly worldwide, regulations regarding the disposal of electronic waste (e-waste) resulting in many countries mandating regulations and programs for the safe recycling and disposal of electronic products, and more. These regulations and others have inspired some companies to seek eco-friendly alternatives to traditional printed circuit board (PCB) fabrication.  The combination of numerous environmental regulations has resulted in many companies' implementation of sustainability programs. As our world becomes more connected, the demand for electronic devices continues to rise, and with it, the importance of mitigating the environmental impact of their production. On this episode of The Reliability Matters Podcast, Mike Konrad speaks with Mark S. Edwards. Mark wrote an article entitled “Environmentally Responsible Alternatives to Traditional PCB Fabrication.”  He works as a strategic account manager within MacDermid Alpha Electronics Solutions, on the global Business Development team for Circuitry Solutions. Mark has been involved in electronics manufacturing since the late 1980s and brings a passion for process automation, circuit assembly, solders/fluxes, adhesives, coatings and PCB fabrication – all with a focus on repeatability and reliability.  Edwards holds a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering technology from Oklahoma State University and began his career at a defense electronics company in Dallas, Texas, that was later acquired by Raytheon.  He has uncovered trends and synthesized customer needs for electronic hardware in the telecommunications, defense, automotive, industrial controls segments in the Americas, and now globally, in his newest role.   Chapters: 00:00:00 - The Pursuit of Environmentally Responsible Electronics Manufacturing 00:02:23 - Uncovering Trends in Electronic Hardware 00:04:56 - Circuit Board Fabrication and Environmental Responsibility 00:07:25 - The Changing Priorities of the Manufacturing Industry 00:09:40 - Green Alternatives to Traditional Circuit Boards 00:11:59 - Sustainable Alternatives to PCB Fabrication 00:14:21 - Fabrication Performance and Reliability 00:16:43 - Green PCB Fabrication Challenges and Obstacles 00:18:58 - The Challenges of Adopting Greener Solutions 00:21:22 - Environmental Sustainability in the Supply Chain 00:23:43 - Environmental Impact of PCB Fabrication Methods 00:28:20 - The Disappointment of EV 85 Fuel 00:31:07 - The Cost Implication of Going Green 00:33:31 - Recycling and the Circular Economy 00:35:55 - Recycling Circuit Boards and Extracting Precious Metals 00:38:15 - Simplifying the PCB Fabrication Process 00:40:40 - The Importance of Standards and Regulations in the Electronics Industry 00:42:54 - Demand for Environmental Responsibility in PCB Fabrication 00:45:10 - The Importance of Sustainability in the Supply Chain 00:47:20 - The Importance of Sustainability in Circuit Assembly 00:49:49 - Environmental Impact of Board Fabrication 00:52:02 - The Green Movement in Business    

Today we're diving deep into the world of precision and craftsmanship—two crucial elements in the realm of hand soldering and rework of circuit assemblies. Whether you're a seasoned electronics enthusiast, a hobbyist, or just someone with a curious mind, this episode promises to demystify the art and science behind hand soldering and rework. We'll be exploring the latest tools, techniques, and trends that define this intricate process, shedding light on the unsung heroes who meticulously bring circuit assemblies to life, or in the case of rework, back to life. There is archaeological evidence that soldering was employed as early as 5,000 years ago in Mesopotamia. Soldering and brazing are thought to have originated very early in the history of metal-working, before 4,000 BC. Sumerian swords from 3,000 BC were assembled using hard soldering techniques. While soldering applications have morphed and expanded over the centuries, the basic “rules” of soldering have not. On this episode, we're going to talk about an obvious soldering application, at least to my audience, and that's soldering of electronic assemblies. From the evolution of hand soldering with numerous technological advancements to the challenges faced by DIYers and professionals alike, we've got it all covered, thanks to Mike Konrad's subject matter expert guest, Debbie Wade.  Wade is managing director of ART A-R-T, Advanced Rework Technology, a fully independent training organization, which has been presenting various training courses for over 30 years. She has been in the electronics industry for over 20 years with the last 15 of those years at Advanced Rework Technology.  Wade comes to us well-credentialed. She chairs the IPC-A-620 Training Committee and IPC European Training Committee, and with her Master IPC Trainer status for IPC-A 600, 610, 620, 7711/21 and J-STD 001 is an expert in the field of fabrication, assembly, process and acceptance of board and cable assemblies.  She has been presented with numerous awards from IPC in recognition of her contribution to IPC standards and training courses. So, grab your soldering iron (metaphorically speaking), get ready to dive into the flux, and join us as we unravel the secrets of successful hand soldering and rework. Stick around for valuable insights, practical tips, and maybe even a few stories from the trenches of hand soldering and re-work. Chapters: 00:00:00 - The Art and Science of Hand Soldering and Rework 00:03:01 - The Unique Art of Hand Soldering, Featuring Debbie Wade 00:06:30 - The History of Advanced Rework Technology (ART) 00:09:57 - The Impact of IPC Certification on Careers and Companies 00:13:14 - Investing in the Right Equipment for Soldering and Rework 00:16:22 - Controlling Heat in Soldering 00:19:24 - Creating the Heat Bridge 00:22:29 - Challenges in Soldering Electronic Components 00:25:39 - The Dangers of Using Soldering Guns for Electronics 00:28:32 - Common Mistakes in Hand Soldering 00:31:42 - The Importance of Flux in Soldering 00:34:38 - Proper Flux Application and Potential Issues 00:37:35 - The Problem of Flux Buildup on Test Points 00:40:50 - Appearance vs Function in Solder Joints 00:43:42 - Choosing the Right Soldering Iron 00:46:55 - Safety Precautions in Hand Soldering 00:49:50 - Appearance and Plating Issues 00:52:48 - Inspecting Different Classes of Products 00:55:39 - The importance of human control in machine programming 00:58:45 - Bespoke courses and certifications for inspectors 01:02:01 - The Importance of Proper Component Selection and Soldering 01:05:09 - Differences in Soldering Dummy Parts 01:08:04 - The Art of Hand Soldering 01:10:55 - The Importance of Reliability

Reliability Matters covered the topic of ultrathin conformal coatings back in November. We covered various conformal coating materials from traditional acrylics and silicones to ultrathin parylene coatings. What other coating materials are available? Where do these types of coatings fit within specific applications? Where do health and safety, environmental concerns, and sustainability programs fit in with a coating process? To answer these other questions, Dr. Cassandra Zentner, VP of Health and environment at Actnano, a manufacturer of coating materials, talks with Reliability Matters host Mike Konrad. Dr. Zentner earned a BA from Oberlin College and a Ph.D. in organic materials chemistry from MIT.

In today's increasingly connected and digital world, PCBs are the unsung heroes that power our devices, from smartphones to spacecraft. Yet, the art and science of designing these crucial components often go unnoticed. That's where this episode comes in.   Today, we shine a spotlight on the critical role PCBs play in modern technology and explore the best practices that drive innovation and reliability. In this episode, Mike Konrad tries to unravel the mysteries of PCB design, tackle complex challenges, and unlock the secrets to creating high-performance, efficient, and reliable circuit boards. Whether you're a seasoned PCB designer looking to sharpen your skills, a budding engineer eager to learn the ropes, or simply a tech enthusiast curious about the technology that shapes our lives, this episode has something for everyone. He is joined by Dr. Zach Peterson. Zach is a well-known researcher and electronics designer. In 2017, he founded Northwest Engineering Solutions as a technology consultancy and has since grown the company into an innovative design and manufacturing house for advanced electronic products. He conducted his Applied Physics Ph.D. research in ZnO random laser theory and stability and his M.Sc. Physics research in chemisorptive sensors for environmental monitoring at Portland State University. He also received his MBA (Leadership & Finance) from Adams State University. His work has been published in over a dozen peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings, and he has written 2500+ technical articles on PCB design for a number of companies. He is a member of IEEE Photonics Society, IEEE Electronics Packaging Society, American Physical Society, and the Printed Circuit Engineering Association (PCEA). He previously served as a voting member on the INCITS Quantum Computing Technical Advisory Committee working on technical standards for quantum electronics, and he currently serves on the IEEE P31-86 Working Group focused on Port Interface Representing Photonic Signals Using SPICE-class Circuit Simulators.   He will speak on Signal Integrity in Thin PCB Materials and IC Substrates at PCB East in June.

In recent episodes, we've covered high-level issues, such as hiring best practices, novel, training, methods, design for manufacturing, highly accelerated, life, testing, and more. On this episode, we're going to go back to the basics. What common problems are assemblers experiencing today? What are the basics of assembly best practices? Which problems seem to live in perpetuity? To answer these and other questions, I've invited two of my favorite experts on to the show. If you've been in the electronics assembly industry for some amount of time, there's little doubt you've heard of Phil Zarrow and Jim Hall. Phil has been involved with PCB fabrication and assembly for more than 36 years. He is president and principal consultant of ITM Consulting. Jim Hall has been involved in the electronics assembly industry for the past 27 years. He's a principal consultant and resident Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt with ITM Consulting. He's also an instructor in the Lean Six Sigma programs offered at Dartmouth College. Together with Dr. Ron Lasky, Phil and Jim designed the SMTA's SMT Processes Certification Course. A couple of years ago, Phil and Jim published a book titled “Troubleshooting Electronic Assemblies, Tales from the Board-Talk Crypt.” Mike Konrad talks to them more about that book later in this broadcast. Phil and Jim host the popular audio series “Board Talk,” a question-and-answer show hosted on the Circuit-Insight website. On their show, you'll hear serious questions, and often comical but real answers.  

Moisture. The industrial world has been fighting moisture since the beginning of the industrial world. From a general point of view, moisture leads to issues such as Mold and mildew Rust Wood rot Damage to building materials Microbial growth And so much more. In the electronics world, moisture creates a host of reliability problems including: Popcorning Delamination of conformal coating Corrosion Electrochemical migration Adhesion degradation (such as on labels and glues) And more. We wanted to dive into moisture mitigation, so Mike Konrad invited two guests to discuss this very topic. Dan Jenkins is sales manager and partner of the Steel Camel, an industrial solutions company specializing in corrosion and water intrusion control for fuel systems and industrial equipment. Prior to Steel Camel, Dan worked as consultant and instructor in the crane accident prevention industry. He has consulted to large organizations such as Shell Oil, and the United States Department of Interior. Dan earned an MBA from the University of South Florida and earned his BA in Industrial Arts / Technology from Cal St. University Chico and his Post-Secondary Teaching Credential from San Francisco State University.   Bob Lowry has bachelor's and master's degrees in chemistry. His experience includes 31 years as sr. scientist and lab manager for three integrated circuit manufacturing companies, where measurement of moisture and moisture control activities were a major part of services he provided. He has 20 years of experience consulting to the microelectronics industry on a wide variety of topics including materials analysis and measurements and methods of moisture control for electronic components. Bob is also coauthor of the book Hermeticity of Electronic Packages.   Dan Jenkins' contact info: djenkins@steelcamel.com https://www.steelcamel.com/   Bob Lowry's contact info: rlowry98@aol.com

Industry icon Dave Hillman completed a 3,600 mile solo kayak journey down the Missouri River. Mike Konrad spoke with Dave about the inspiration for the journey, insights gained over his four-month expedition, and how his experience as an engineer helped him prepare for this epic experience. This episode features many photographs taken by Dave Hillman on his journey. The video version showing the photographs is accessible here: https://youtu.be/7bThR5FQwHI

We all strive to build products that are reliable. If you're listening to this podcast, chances are you are concerned about or at least interested in reliability. Where does reliability start? Who is responsible for reliability? What types of reliability testing can be performed? Mike Konrad's guest on this episode will help answer these and other reliability-based questions. Dr. Christopher Jackson is a leader, engineer and logistic specialist who has helped many organizations work toward realizing business goals through improving the reliability of their products and processes. He is cofounder of online training company IS4, founder of Acuitis Reliability, established the Center for the Safety and Reliability of Autonomous Systems (SARAS) at UCLA after retiring as a lieutenant colonel having served 17 years in the Australian Army, where he was senior reliability engineer. Dr Jackson completed his Ph.D. in reliability engineering at the University of Maryland in 2011. Dr. Jackson has authored multiple reliability and management textbooks and teaches both professional education courses and post-graduate courses. Industries he has helped range from small satellites through to military vehicles. He is a Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE) through the American Society of Quality (ASQ), a member of the Institute of Engineers, Australia (MIEAust) and a Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng). Dr. Jackson's contact information: chris.jackson@acuitas.com https://www.acuitas.com

Episode 274: Ready to unlock the mysteries surrounding air disc brakes? Buckle up, as we take an exciting journey with Mike Konrad, the president of Bremskerl CV, who will shed light on the ins and outs of air disc brakes in the commercial vehicle scene. We talk shop about the trends in air disc brake adoption and the vocations driving these trends headlong. Gain a deeper understanding of the safety components of these brakes and how they square up against S-cam brakes. Worried about cost and aftermarket options? We've got you covered.Now, let's turn the spotlight on Bremskerl CV impressive product lineup. Mike unravels the differences between air disc brakes and drum brakes, a must-know for anyone in the industry. Curious how friction materials can swing the performance and lifespan of your air disc brakes? Mike breaks it down for us. We also dig into the causes of premature rotor and caliper failure and share tips on how to avoid these costly issues. Not just that, Mike gives you the skinny on their new product line - ready to revolutionize your brake game? It's a one-stop info hub for all things air disc brakes with wisdom poured directly from the expert's mouth. So, don't blink or you'll miss it!Show Notes: Visit HeavyDutyPartsReport.com for complete show notes of this episode and to subscribe to all our content. Disclaimer: This content and description may contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, The Heavy-Duty Parts Report may receive a small commission. Sponsors of this EpisodeLooking for suspension, steering, and 5th wheel parts? Buy now from SAMPA.comSpecial Offer: The Heavy-Duty Parts Report is brought to you by Find It Parts - your ultimate destination for heavy-duty truck and trailer parts. Discover a vast range of parts at finditparts.com. Ready to purchase the parts discussed in today's episode? Head over to FindItParts.com and get them right away! Sign up for our weekly email so you never miss out on an episode: Follow the Show

When it comes to circuit assemblies, defects result in one of two situations. The preferred result of a defect is to capture it on your factory floor and repair it before it ships to the customer. The second scenario is referred to as an escape. That's when the board ships to the customer and fails in the field. This is a scenario, all assemblers dread and strive to prevent. One way to prevent escapes is through the use of automated inspection or AOI systems. Mike Konrad's guests are Arif Virani, chief operating officer and cofounder of Darwin AI, and Bart Piwowar, CTO of Darwin AI, a manufacturer of innovative inspection systems. Virani is a technology leader with over 20 years of experience in the industry. He spearheads the company's mission to transform manufacturing with a new standard for quality inspection using AI. DarwinAI's solutions have been implemented at top electronics manufacturers to increase quality and efficiency while reducing waste. DarwinAI was selected by CBInsights for its AI 100 annual list of the 100 most promising private AI companies in the world in both 2020 and 2021. Before founding DarwinAI, Virani had a successful career in management consulting at McKinsey & Co., where he advised Fortune 500 enterprises on technology investments and transformation. He led several technology-enabled programs, including building and commercializing data and analytics capabilities. Virani started his career working as a software developer at various technology companies. In addition to his work at DarwinAI, Virani is an Advisory Board Member of NGEN Canada's AI for Manufacturing Initiative. He has a master's in business administration from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School and a bachelor's in applied science (computer engineering) from the University of Waterloo. Piwowar is an experienced product leader, leading high-performing product teams driven by data to deliver solutions that solve customer's problems. He has spent many years leading data science teams, applying Innovation methodologies, and working with emerging technologies to bring solutions in many disciplines. He graduated from University of Waterloo with a degree in physics and computing and followed with an MBA from Wilfrid Laurier University. Piwowar's career interests range from AI product development, decision science and entrepreneurship. 

Mike Konrad's guest is Dr. James Whitfield. Dr. Whitfield is an associate professor of physics at Dartmouth. He earned a bachelor's of science and chemistry and mathematics from Morehouse University and a Ph.D. in chemical physics from Harvard University. He was a postdoctoral fellow at Columbia University in New York, Vienna Center for Quantum Science and Technology in Vienna and Gant University and Belgium, and he is currently an Amazon visiting academic.

The subjects of Industry 4.0 and Big Data have been widely discussed on this podcast. What is Industry 4.0? What data is our industry collecting? And, perhaps more importantly, how can we sift through all of that data to make it useful and actionable? To help answer these and other data-related questions, Mike Konrad interviews Ryan Gamble, CEO and Founder of Intraratio. Intraratio is a company that provides on-premise and cloud hybrid software with platforms to track, manage, control, and automate the manufacture of advanced electronics. Intraratio serves the semiconductor, SMT, space/military, medical device and EV markets. Ryan earned a dual electrical and computer engineering degree and spent many years in the semiconductor industry. He's responsible for improving product manufacturing and testing of commercial and space/military product lines including multi-core DSP, RF and silicon photonics devices. During this period he developed software systems to automate and manage quality and reliability of complex electronics, extending this to hyperscale web-based platforms that interconnect factories globally. His passion is working with all levels, to identify and recommend solutions to business problems, based on a deep technical understanding of operational processes and product complexities.  

Eric Camden (lead investigator with Foresite) and Mike Konrad discuss electrochemical migration (ECM) and other failure modes caused by residues on circuit assemblies.

On this episode, Mike Konrad speaks with Mark Goodwin, COO of Ventec Europe, a supplier of copper-clad laminates and prepreg bonding materials for the circuit board fabrication industry, about supply chain challenges.

On this show, we've discussed many aspects of the electronics assembly process. We talked about reflow, thermal management, printing, soldering materials, additives, and so much more. What do all these topics have in common? When done correctly, they all contribute to the reliability of circuit assemblies. Today, we're going to dive into the subject of cleaning circuit assemblies after reflow. For many assemblers, the cleaning process was replaced by the use of no clean flux technology. Time and technology have eroded the concept of allowing all residues to remain on the assembly. Today, residue caused failures are such a concern, that IPC recently and radically changed the way circuit assemblies are considered to be clean. Mike Konrad's guests are Sal Sparacino and Eric Camden. Sal is sirector of sales at Zestron Americas, located in Manassas, VA. Zestron is a manufacturer of cleaning chemicals for the electronics industry. Eric is lead investigator for Foresite, an analytical laboratory based in Kokomo IN. Eric, is the person you call when things go wrong. Together with my experience as a cleaning equipment manufacturer, we'll discuss how cleaning contributes to increased reliability, and we'll review the reasons cleaning has returned as a mainstream assembly process.    

Electricity is the life blood for all circuit assemblies. It can also afflict significant damage via electrostatic discharge. Today, Christopher Almeras of Raytheon reviews the various ESD mitigation strategies as well as some ESD horror stories! Almeras began his career in process engineering for a small electronics manufacturer in the late 1990s. There he became responsible for the sites ESD compliance verification. His next career move took him to a high-volume manufacturer where he added ESD Coordinator to his process duties. He eventually made the jump into the Military/Aerospace side of electronics manufacturing (with Raytheon) in 2010 where he has remained working in process, capital installations, continuous improvement, and ESD. In 2009, he completed the ESD Certified Program Manager from the ESDA. He serves as a member on several ESD Association standards committees including S20.20, TR53, Process Assessment, High Reliability, Electrostatic Attraction among others. In 2022 he took over the working group chair for Soldering/Desoldering Hand Tools. Almeras was elected to the ESD Association Board of Directors and continues to be active with the ESD Symposium each year. In 2018 he presented his technical paper “An ESD Case Study of Defect Analysis in High Speed Electronics Manufacturing” at the symposium. Almeras has a BS in mechanical engineering from Purdue University and an MS in industrial engineering from Oklahoma State University. He is an ESD Certified Program Manager (ESDA).   During this episode, host Mike Konrad references the following: Reliability Matters Episode 104: A Conversation about ESD Flooring with Thomas Ricciardelli 4 Easy Ways to BLOW UP Your Test Gear Daniel Bogdanoff - Keysighthttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDvue5whx0s

Historically, circuit assemblies are rigid devices. IoT (Internet of Things) has opened up the opportunity to embed electronics into a near limitless array of form factors. Some of these form factors require the electronic assembly to be flexible such as in wearable and medical applications. To complicate matters, the metal conductors on the assembly are rigid, not flexible or malleable. That may change with the adoption of liquid metals. We were exposed to the concept of liquid metal in the 1991 film "Terminator 2." Will science fiction become reality? Mike Konrad's guest is Dr. Michael Dickey. Michael is currently the Camille and Henry Dreyfus Professor in the Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering at NC State University.  Michael Dickey received a bachelor's in chemical engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology and a Ph.D. from the University of Texas. From 2006-2008 he was a post-doctoral fellow in the lab of Professor George Whitesides at Harvard University. Michael completed a sabbatical at Microsoft in 2016. Michael's research interests include soft matter (liquid metals, gels and polymers) for soft and stretchable devices (electronics, energy harvesters, textiles, and soft robotics), and hopefully, for the sake of humanity, not liquid metal T1000 villains. Dr. Michael Dickey's contact information: mddickey@ncsu.edu

We're very excited to have Mike Konrad, founder of Aqueous Technologies as well as host of his own podcast, Reliability Matters, back on the show.We first had Mike on the show to discuss the history of board cleaning, the electronics the industry's transition to primarily using no-clean flux, and why more and more companies are reintroducing board cleaning back into their assembly process. Mike recently reached out to us and offered to talk about the 2018 changes to the IPC cleanliness standards and why adoption of the new standard has been slow at best due to the lack of understanding of the standard's details. We of course jumped at the opportunity... We hope you enjoy this episode that is most definitely more entertaining than watching grass grow. Listen to Chris on the Being and Engineer podcast 

Mike Konrad has a very successful business now but it wasn't always that way he had to overcome several times of adversity. His story teaches us that an entrepreneur or anyone that is following a dream must preserve, evolve, and keep going. It reminds us that you must all be willing to pivot and evolve your skills. That even when you are up against huge obstacles you can overcome them. It is truly inspiring you are not going to want to miss it!

SMTA is well known for producing high-quality relevant technical conferences and symposiums. This includes, among others, the technical conference held at SMTAI, the High Reliability Cleaning and Coating Conference, the Symposium on Counterfeit Parts and Materials, the Advanced Electronics Assembly Conference, the Wafer-Level Packaging Symposium, the Electronics in Harsh Environments conference, and the Pan Pacific Microelectronics Symposium, often referred to as Pan Pac. Pan Pac is unique in many ways, beginning with its venue. Pan Pac is held annually at one of the Hawaian islands. This fact alone makes this symposium stand out. But there are many other factors that make this symposium unique. As Pan Pac's steering committee says: "The Pan Pacific Microelectronics Symposium strives to build bridges and nurture relationships across all boundaries, oceans and cultures, industries and technologies, companies and individuals. Its location in Hawaii always provides the requisite isolation from day-to-day distractions necessary to support these goals and enhance personal face to face interactions. The Pan Pacific continues its mission of building the vision and future directions for the electronics industry!" Pan Pac 2023 is scheduled for January 30 - February 2, 2023, at the Sheraton Kauai Resort on the island of Kauai. To talk more about the upcoming Pan Pacific Symposium, Mike Konrad invited two colleagues who are instrumental in curating the technical contact for this symposium. Dr. Chuck Bauer, one of the creators of this symposium, and Keith Bryant join him to discuss the conferences technical tracks and presentations as well as their view on what makes this conference unique.

Starting and running a successful business can be challenging, especially when one lacks the requisite skills. However, smart entrepreneurs always strive to learn what it takes to build a thriving and sustainable company. Building a robust business entails dedication, hard work, planning, and more. As a business owner, you must consistently put efforts into sales and marketing campaigns to drive growth. In addition, you must understand the nitty-gritty of your business niche and show expertise to stand out of the pack and build trust and loyalty. In today's podcast, Mike Konrad from Aqueous Technologies and Stephen Halasnik from Financing Solutions discuss 'Lessons Learned As a "Reluctant Entrepreneur.

Today we're talking with Mike Konrad, the Founder/CEO of Aqueous Technologies and a podcast host. We're going to talk about the difference in marketing and sales. You might think they're the same and if you did you would be wrong. Listen to this episode to find out why.

Like most manufacturers, the electronics manufacturing industry relies on countless suppliers to fulfill its manufacturing needs. I'm quite certain there is no one within the EMS space who fabricates their own boards using materials produced in house, operates their own semiconductor foundries, designs and manufacturers their own components, and produces soldering materials for their reflow process.    Our industry relies on a vast network of manufacturers throughout the world to build even the simplest electronic assembly. Intellectual property security, cybersecurity, national security, are all hot topics today. No one wants their hard-earned intellectual property stolen. This is most true within the US military establishment. There are, at present, numerous policies, procedures, and regulations designed to protect various parts of our supply chain from unscrupulous people and companies. Today, companies are concerned about “controlled unclassified information” (CUI) and “controlled technical information” (CTI). That brings us to IPC-1791. What is IPC-1791?    Randy Cherry, Mike Konrad's guest on this episode, explains.  Randy Cherry has over 30 years' experience in engineering and is a certified SMT process engineer and an IPC auditor.  He is director of Validation Services at IPC. Validation Services is a series of certification programs that qualify products and processes to the IPC industry standards.  

It's been said on this show that one key factor to international competitiveness is automation. While labor rates vary widely across the world, automation helps to level the field. Michael McHale is CEO of Production Systems Automation, otherwise known as PSA. He graduated from Drexel University with a BS degree in mechanical engineering. PSA is a privately owned engineering and custom manufacturing firm founded in 1985, with three locations in Pennsylvania. They are experienced as a turnkey systems integrator, providing solutions for capital projects including, but not limited to; flexible robotic solutions, custom automated machinery, drives and controls & custom PLC projects. They also offer a line of standard products developed for industry specific customers. They are a robotic systems integrator at heart, representing leading global robotic OEMs. He joins Mike Konrad on Reliability Matters.

Today we're diving into conformal coating best practices. With the explosion of IoT, the electrification of vehicles, and the miniaturization of circuit assemblies and associated components, many of which are operating in harsh environments, the need for conformal coating has never been greater. Coating your assemblies? Where does one start? What material should one choose? Should it be applied in-house or through a contract-coating house? What are the best practices in materials selection, application, inspection, and thickness? So many questions! To answer these and other questions, Mike Konrad invited a conformal coating expert to shed light on this subject. David Greenman began his career in the conformal coating business at Concoat distributing Humiseal products and eventually manufacturing them under license for Europe, the Middle East, India and Africa. After 25 years of distributing and manufacturing Humiseal products, Chase Corp, which owns Humiseal purchased Concoat. David now serves as director of Humiseal UK, Europe and India, responsible for corporate responsibility as well as supporting HumiSeal sales and technical teams. He is qualified as a radio, TV/electronics engineer and a member of The Society of Radio and Electronics Technicians, now the Institution of Engineering and Technology.  

Today, Mike Konrad talks about low-volume electronic assembly. We all know who the “big players” are when it comes to solder paste printers, pick-and-place machines, reflow ovens and other assembly equipment. But what choices does one have if they need to produce low volumes of electronic assemblies such as prototypes and other low-volume applications?   Let's face it, most assemblers can't justify a multi-million-dollar production line for low-volume production. One solution may be to outsource the production to a contract manufacturer but there are specific circumstances which may prevent that. In today's episode, we'll review some of the equipment options for low-volume SMT production and we'll see if the barrier to entry for in-house assembly is lower than one might think. Mike's guest today is Ed Stone. Ed is a sales manager at Manncorp, a provider of SMT assembly equipment for the EMS industry. Manncorp was founded 55 years ago back in 1967. Just imagine how much our industry has changed over the past 55 years!

Today, we're going to talk about contract manufacturing. Do you have a circuit assembly that needs to be built? Don't have the equipment in-house or enough bandwidth or specialized expertise to build it? You may be best served by utilizing the services of a contract manufacturer. Contract manufacturers come in all shapes, sizes and capabilities. Should I seek out a Tier 1 manufacturer? How about Tier 2, 3, 4? What does tier stand for anyway? should I have my assemblies built overseas or in-country? What about issues such as ITAR? Who will be providing the components? What if I need more than just boards assembled such as design, testing and box build? To answer these and so many more questions Mike Konrad turns to his friend and colleague David Raby. David is the President of STI electronics, founded in 1982 by David's father the late Jim Raby. Those of you who have been around the electronics industry for some time will know Jim Raby for his work with the US Navy in establishing military standards for electronics manufacturing and the development of the NASA and Department of Defense Soldering Schools. Over the past 40 years, STI Electronics has expanded its focus from consulting and technical seminars to providing training, laboratory analysis, advanced research and development, microelectronics assembly, prototyping, and small to medium volume PCB contract assembly for the electronics industry. David graduated from Auburn University with a bachelor's degree in Aviation Management.  

The danger of physically losing your freedom is real but the greater threat is to mentally and spiritually give up your freedom. Allan Stevo has a powerful test for seeing if you will give up your guns. One of the most dangerous lies believed by a majority of the people is that an immoral act can become moral as long as it's done by government. James Corbett says there's no sugar-coating this one: Government itself is immoral. The ruling class seems to think that telling the world to eat bugs and like it is their prerogative. Jeffrey Tucker reminds us of how lucky we've been and why we need to stand up to this effort to control our food supply. The intense reaction that the ruling class has toward anyone who advocates freedom is telling. Clarice Feldman says there's panic at the top as the elite contemplate the loss of their cultural and political dominance. The cultural revolutionaries that are working so hard to dismantle Western Civilization will be shocked to realize that they are of limited usefulness to the power brokers. Mike Konrad says they'd be wise to remember what became of Trotsky, Robespierre and Rohm, once the Thermidor effect kicks in. Sponsors: HSL Ammo Monticello College Life Saving Food  Garage Door Pros

The danger of physically losing your freedom is real but the greater threat is to mentally and spiritually give up your freedom. Allan Stevo has a powerful test for seeing if you will give up your guns. One of the most dangerous lies believed by a majority of the people is that an immoral act can become moral as long as it's done by government. James Corbett says there's no sugar-coating this one: Government itself is immoral. The ruling class seems to think that telling the world to eat bugs and like it is their prerogative. Jeffrey Tucker reminds us of how lucky we've been and why we need to stand up to this effort to control our food supply. The intense reaction that the ruling class has toward anyone who advocates freedom is telling. Clarice Feldman says there's panic at the top as the elite contemplate the loss of their cultural and political dominance. The cultural revolutionaries that are working so hard to dismantle Western Civilization will be shocked to realize that they are of limited usefulness to the power brokers. Mike Konrad says they'd be wise to remember what became of Trotsky, Robespierre and Rohm, once the Thermidor effect kicks in. Sponsors: HSL Ammo Monticello College Life Saving Food Garage Door Pros --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/loving-liberty/support

This is the 100th episode of the Reliability Matters podcast! Hear clips from past episodes and messages from past guests on their views about reliability. Mike Konrad gives a special thanks to the 117 guests he has had the privilege to learn from. Also, thank you to listeners and viewers of this podcast. Here is a list of guests (subject matter experts in their fields) that had been on RM: Jen Fijalkowski - Keith Bryant - Dr. David Bernard - David Kruidhof - Robert Boguski - Phil Zarrow - Jim Hall - Dr. Ron Lasky- Dr. Kunal Shah - Marco Sanchez - Colin Harper - Jesper Lykke - Greg Papandrew - Kevin Huo - Mike Adamson - Tony Lentz - Brian O'Leary - Joel Scutchfield - Bob Doetzer - Christopher Frederickson- Miles Moreau - Paul Salerno - Stan Rak - Bev Christian - Matt Kelly - Cheryl Tulkoff - Greg Caswell - Dave Trail - Dr. Martin Anselm - Tanya Martin - Greg Vance - Dr. Raiyo Aspandiar - James Kovacevic - Trevor Galbraith - Phil Stoten - Eric Miscoll - Mike Buetow - Patrick Stimpert - Chris Denney - Tim Jensen - Mark Waterman - David Leventhal - Joan Carrol-Kennedy  - Murray Percival Jr. - Todd Wittmer - Amit Dror - Melissa Hough - Norman Mier - Annaka Balch - Nadia Clement - Raaga Kannan - Tim O'Neill - Fred Dimock - Dock Brown - François Monette -Tara Dunn - Dave Hillman - Graham Naisbitt - Dr. Eric Fossum - Prakash Gango - Kalyan Nukala - Dr. Martin Anselm - Michael Ford - Dr. Sean Clancy - Dr. Bill Cardoso - David Alexander - Matthew Chalkley - Dr. Jennie Hwang  - Phil Zarrow - Bob Willis - Ray Prasad - Dr. Chris Jackson - Dr. Mike Stull - Keith Bryant - Greg Papandrew - Mark Hughes - Greg Ziraldo - Dr. John Mitchell - Jim Hall - Dr. Darren Williams - Barbara Kanegsberg - Dr. Ed Kanegsberg - Judy Warner - Greg Smith - Tony Lentz - David Heller - Eric Camden - Brook Sandy - Alun Morgan - Kay Parker - Mark Levin - Jon Rodin - Robert Boguski - Elizabeth Kidd - Manuel Schöllig- Phil Kinner - Paul Mullen - Mike Logan - Yash Sutariya - Brian D'Amico - Fred Schenkelberg - MB Allen - Michelle Ogihara - Sherry Stepp - Dr. Mike Bixenman - Doug Pauls - Dr. Craig Hillman - Sal Sparacino - Dr. Terry Price - Ravi Parthasarathy  - Umut Tosun - Wendy Casker - Paco Solis

In late 2018, IPC shocked the electronics assembly community by introducing an amendment to section 8 of the J-STD-001G. This amendment radically changed the way industry determines cleanliness. Now, assemblers must prove their assemblies are clean enough not to experience electrochemical migration events which would cause the assembly to fail. This new process of obtaining objective evidence has been met with a considerable degree of confusion. To help clear up the confusion, Mike Konrad speaks with Graham Naisbitt, vice chair of the IPC 5-30 Cleaning and Coating Subcommittee that oversees 15 IPC Standards Development Committees and recipient of 14 IPC Standards Awards. Naisbitt is an IEC 1906 Lord Kelvin Award Winner, IEC TC91 WG2, 3 and 10 Maintenance Leader of 4 Standards, and a British Standards Institution EPL-501 Member. He is a specialist in surface insulation resistance testing, ionic contamination control, solderability, conformal coating materials and application systems, cleaning, inspection and test.

Mike Konrad speaks with four experts, not about brands or models of x-ray equipment, rather about best practices for purchasing x-ray equipment. There are numerous manufacturers of x-ray equipment, each with multiple models with varying capabilities. Which type of x-ray equipment is right for your application (2D, 2.5D, 3D, etc)? What are the price ranges? What are the capabilities? What questions should I ask when speaking with manufacturers of x-ray equipment? How do I define my needs? How do I avoid buying too little or too much? These and other questions are answered by our expert panel. Our expert panel includes: Keith Bryant of Keith Bryant Consultancy. Keith has more than 30 years in the electronics industry and has worked for and with x-ray equipment manufacturers.  keith@smta.org Dr. David Bernard of David Bernard Consultancy. David has more than 20 years of experience in the x-ray industry and has worked for and with x-ray equipment manufacturers.  dbc@bernard.abel.co.uk David Kruidhof, sales manager for Creative Electron, a manufacturer of x-ray equipment. dkruidhof@creativeelectron.com Robert Boguski, president of Datest, an analytical laboratory specializing in failure analysis. Rob is a user of x-ray equipment. rboguski@datest.com

A couple episodes ago, Reliability Matters host Mike Konrad spoke with Dr. Ron Lasky about a couple of books he wrote. He also recommended one he didn't write: "Troubleshooting Electronic Assembly: Wisdom from the BoardTalk Crypt" by industry gurus Phil Zarrow and Jim Hall, available on Amazon (both were prior guests on this show). This episode, we'll have a conversation with Zarrow and Hall about their book. If you've been in the electronic assembly industry for some time, there's little doubt that you have heard of Phil Zarrow and Jim Hall. Zarrow has been involved with PCB fabrication and assembly for more than 35 years. He is president and principal consultant of ITM Consulting. Hall has been involved in the electronic assembly industry for the past 26 years. He's a principal consultant and resident Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt with ITM Consulting. He's also an instructor in the Lean Six Sigma programs offered at Dartmouth College. Together with Dr. Lasky, Zarrow and Hall designed the SMTA SMT Processes Certification Course.

What can you say about Mike Konrad? A successful entrepreneur, a maverick, a cleaning guru, a pod-caster, and an all-round nice guy who I like to think of as friend first and colleague second. Some thirty years ago Mike founded Aqueous Technologies, I caught up with him to discuss that thirty year journey. Like every episode of EMS@C-Level this is sponsored by global inspection leader Koh Young (https://www.kohyoung.com) and Manufacturing Autonomy Specialist CloudNC (https://www.cloudnc.com)Like every episode of EMS@C-Level, this one was sponsored by global inspection leader Koh Young (https://www.kohyoung.com) and Adaptable Automation Specialist Launchpad.build (https://launchpad.build).You can see video versions of all of the EMS@C-Level pods on our YouTube playlist.

Mike Konrad speaks with Dr. Ron Lasky and Jim Hall, authors of the SMTA SMT Certification Courses (along with Phil Zarrow) about the content of these courses. He also speaks with course students, Claire Hotvedt of Indium Corp. and Tom Watson of Kimball Electronics about their experience taking the courses and the value they received. SMTA offers two certification courses: • SMT Processes • Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Each SMTA Certification program is a three-day offering consisting of a 1.5-day workshop on topics in SMT Processes or Lean Six Sigma Green Belt. The program concludes on days two and three with an open and closed book examination (SMT Processes) and open book examination (Lean Six Sigma Green Belt.) This is not an entry-level program. Basic algebra will be used in the workshop and examination. This challenging examination requires both written answers and calculations with the intent to enable the attendee to establish competitive credentials as "Certified" by the SMTA in SMT Processes or Lean Six Sigma Green Belt. More information on the SMTA certification courses is available here: https://smta.org/page/certification

Here's what Podcaster, Industry Guru and Founder of Aqueous Technologies Mike Konrad sees as the key trends in 2022. In this interview we dig into those predictions a little deeper. "Predicting industry trends these days is much like predicting which number will come up at the roulette table (The odds are 1 in 36)! Travel restrictions and mask mandates seem to change more frequently than the weather. I do have some predictions for general trends for 2022. What we have learned is it is far easier to shut down an economy than it is to turn it back on. The world has very little experience with economic shutdowns matching current times. While recessions and regional events may cause economies to slow, I cannot think of an example where so much of the world's economy was shut down at once. As a result, we have a near historic supply chain disruption. While the press refers to this as a “chip shortage”, the shortages go well beyond components. As a manufacturer of equipment for the EMS industry, we have transitioned our purchasing strategies from just in time to just in case. This of course only adds to the supply chain issues. For many companies, bulking up on inventory may cause a strain on cash flow. I believe the supply chain shortages will stay with us for the majority of 2022. While some sectors of the supply chain will see a restoration to normal sooner than others, it only takes one missing part (the weak link) to create delivery delays. We, like many companies, have sourced some alternative parts, occasionally requiring minor modifications to our equipment designs in order to utilize those new parts. Due to the resourcefulness of our team, we have been fortunate (to date) to have avoided delays in shipments. While we are beginning to see the return of live industry events, (the SMTA Cleaning and Coating Conference, SMTAi, Productronica, IPC APEX Expo to name a few), participation in these events remains lower than normal due to travel restrictions and basic fear. I believe 2022 will see the return of most live events albeit with lower attendance. Fortunately, technical conferences were able to transition to virtual events, providing educational opportunities to many more participants than a traditional live event could offer (and significant savings in travel budgets). All in all, I believe the electronic assembly industry has fared far better than many other industries with many even reporting record revenue and profits. There is an infamous Chinese curse which states “May you live in interesting times”. We do indeed live in “interesting” times." This season of What's the SCOOP is sponsored by Koh Young America (https://www.kohyoung.com) the leaders in manufacturing inspection solutions.Like every episode of EMS@C-Level, this one was sponsored by global inspection leader Koh Young (https://www.kohyoung.com) and Adaptable Automation Specialist Launchpad.build (https://launchpad.build).You can see video versions of all of the EMS@C-Level pods on our YouTube playlist.