PCB Chat

Mike Konrad talks testing printed circuit assemblies with Datest president Robert Boguski.

Solder wetting, dewetting and ultra fine pitch powders are the focus of the latest episode of The Screwups, with Tim O'Neill of AIM Solder sharing insights on from the factory floor with host Mike Buetow. Arnold Schwarzenegger* makes a guest appearance.

*Not the real Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Jeroen Leinders is global eCADSTAR Solutions Leader and Chris Hambleton is engineering general manager at Zuken. In the past few weeks, Zuken announced a new platform called eCADStar. They provide an overview of the embedded browser, new touchscreen interface, and collaboration features of the new mainstream ECAD platform.

On this episode, we’ll be discussing surface adhesion. What makes a surface more adherable, what makes it less adherable, and most importantly, how can one determine a surface’s adhere-ability (is that a word?) before applying a coating.

Greg Papandrew has more than 25 years’ experience selling PCBs directly for various fabricators and as founder of a leading distributor. He is cofounder of Better Board Buying, a new company that helps printed circuit board buyers understand how to improve their procurement practices. He talks about ways buyers can develop closer, more cost-effective relationships with fabricators and gives a preview of his new e-book and his upcoming workshop at PCB West in September with PCB Chat host Mike Buetow.

Jack Herring is the inventor of Soluboard, a new circuit board substrate that is said to be completely recyclable through hot water dissolution. He is commercializing the concept through his UK-based company, Jiva. He speaks about the concept, how he came up with it, and the market opportunities with PCB Chat host Mike Buetow.

A conversation with Manuel Schöllig of Emil Otto, a German manufacturer of soldering and cleaning materials about cleaning stencils, pallets, fixtures, ovens, and assemblies. There's more to clean than just circuit assemblies. Schöllig reviews many non-assembly cleaning requirements. He also describes a new flux type that reportedly does not rely on heat activation to remove harmful flux activators.

Mike Creeden is a veteran design engineer and training specialist, with more than 40 years’ experience across a wide range of companies – from CAD providers to major OEMs to EMS firms and service bureaus. He just joined Insulectro, the materials distributor, as technical director of design education. He talks about lessons learned as an IPC master instructor and his goals of the new Insulectro Design and Education program with PCB Chat host Mike Buetow.

A conversation with Phil Kinner, Electrolube's conformal coating expert. Mike Konrad discuss the reasons for conformal coating and the variety of conformal coating materials available.

Anders is a UK-based manufacturer of display and embedded controller products for a variety of industries including medical, marine, industrial, home, and much more. Anders' general manager Paul Mullen and display and input technology manager Mike Logan speak with Mike Konrad from their London headquarters.