In this episode we are joined by CircuitHub co-founder Andrew Seddon for a conversation about the origins of CircuitHub and the future of high-mix electronics manufacturing. Andrew shares how his experience as a design engineer—and his frustrations getting increasingly complex hardware projects manufactured—eventually led to the idea behind CircuitHub. They revisit the company’s early days, including its original shared parts library, the first CircuitHub manufacturing order, and how Andrew a...

Flexible PCBs can solve some incredible mechanical design challenges—but they also introduce a whole new set of manufacturing considerations. In this episode, we answer a listener's question about flex and rigid-flex circuit assembly, covering what actually changes on the manufacturing floor when a board bends instead of staying rigid. Chris shares lessons learned from developing Worthington and CircuitHub's flex PCB assembly process, including the custom fixtures, dummy boards, baking requir...

In this episode Chris and Melissa dig into one of Chris’s favorite PCB design topics: pocket masking vs. gang masking on fine-pitch components. Chris explains why solder mask slivers matter, how PCB design tools can accidentally create manufacturability problems, and what designers can do to help prevent solder bridging during assembly. The discussion covers solder mask expansion, registration tolerances, stencil printing, pick-and-place placement pressure, and why “gloves, not mittens” is th...

In this episode, Chris and Melissa return after a long break with a recap of Chris’s trip to APEX. They discuss customer visits, EMS management meetings, the value of trade shows, and why x-ray inspection is becoming such a big topic in PCB assembly. Chris also talks about AI, reusable checklists, his new Feeder Pugs project, and the time a hotel accidentally drilled into his room. Melissa closes things out with a pet peeve about signs that block traffic visibility. pickplacepodcast.com

Chris and Melissa welcome Pete Staples, CEO & co-founder of Blue Clover Devices, for a deep dive into how to plan tests, capture evidence, and debug those mysterious boards that look perfect but don’t work. Topics include: Who is Blue Clover Devices & what’s the PLT? Bed-of-nails, ICT, flying probe, and PLTWhat assemblers really need when a board failsProduction test vs. validationUpdates on the Stick It Up Your Tube movementBen the BeaverLinks & resources Blue Clover D...

After a long break (and a few listener wellness checks!), Chris and Melissa return to catch up on what’s kept them busy and share some updates from around the industry. Then, they dive into this episode’s big topic: who’s responsible for the inevitable fallout when it comes to quick-turn PCB assembly? Topics include: Catching up after six months of growth, hiring, and trainingAndrew Seddon’s appearance on The Amp Hour — and how it ties back to the origins of this podcastIPC’s rebrand to the G...

Chris will be in California and would love to meet up with anyone interested. He will be in the San Francisco Bay Area March 11 - March 14 and the Los Angeles/Anaheim area March 16 - March 20. Email us at [email protected] and we'll try to make something happen! pickplacepodcast.com

In this insightful episode, we delve deep into the pressing issues of sustainability within the electronics manufacturing industry with IPC President and CEO, Dr. John W. Mitchell, and Dr. Kelly Scanlon, IPC's lead sustainability strategist. They offer expert insights into how IPC is leading the charge toward more sustainable practices, the importance of data and harmonization in policy-making, and the challenges facing the industry today. Our discussion also highlights practical steps ...

In this episode, join us as we continue our exploration into the high-speed world of motorsport sensor technology with Caleb Holloway, founder of Izze Racing. Caleb delves into the complexities of antenna design, the challenges of RF engineering in the demanding environment of racing, and the innovative solutions his team has developed to enhance data accuracy on the track. From whip antennas to the nuances of sensor integration on racing vehicles, learn how cutting-edge technology is driving...

After a bit of a break we are back with a new, exciting episode! This week we are joined by Caleb Holloway, founder and owner of Izze Racing. Izze Racing provides electronics sensors, with an emphasis on tire data collection, to the motorsport industry. In the first part of this conversation, we delve into Caleb's transition from academia to running his passion company full-time, what's it like designing a product for the motor racing industry, and some unique challenges he has faced. p...