RM 158: D-Code Podcast Interview

PCB Chat

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