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

Electronic System Design (ESD) industry revenue increased 14% to $4.4 billion in the fourth quarter 2023, with printed circuit board design software leading the way, up 21% for the period. Wally Rhines, executive sponsor of the SEMI Electronic Design Market Data report, gives his quarterly update on the state of the electronics design software market.

The High-Density Packaging User Group, the nonprofit consortium of electronics manufacturers and suppliers that collaborate on various technical problems in order to reduce cost and time to market, has nearly 25 projects underway, several of which are due to be completed this year. We spoke this month with Madan Jagernauth, marketing director and project facilitator of HDP, about their current research on lead-free solder alloys, the recent conference Best Papers, and whether the consortium members are ready to tackle artificial intelligence.

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

Matthias Wagner is chief executive and cofounder of Flux, a developer of a browser-based PCB design platform and programmable simulator. When spoke with Matthias last spring, the company was introducing Flux Copilot, an AI-powered hardware design assistant. Flux Copilot uses a large language model that the company’s engineers trained and integrated into its design tool. Flux recently added vision capability to its signature tool, whereby users can upload photos of images such as block diagrams to CoPilot and it can recommend parts for their design. This week, we talk about those advances, some real-use cases Flux is seeing, the Renesas-Altium merger, and more.

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

Today, we delve into the crucial aspects of maintaining well-being on this journey — how to sidestep the notorious burnout, and perhaps more importantly, how to fuel and maintain your motivation. Because, let's face it, the road to creating a meaningful impact can be demanding, and it's essential to navigate it with resilience and purpose. Join Mike Konrad for a conversation with Rick Coulson. Rick recently retired from a 34-year career at Intel, most recently as senior fellow in the Intel Optane Group. Coulson is a passionate advocate for career sustainability and for servant leadership. He was awarded the Intel Achievement Award four times for his team's work on storage subsystems and SSD technology. He holds more than 90 patents. Coulson has a bachelor's in electrical engineering and computer science from the University of Colorado and a master's in electrical engineering from Stanford. He is currently a board member at Co-Serve International, a nonprofit dedicated to teaching Servant Leadership around the world. With Co-Serve he has been to Kazakhstan eight times. He’s on the advisory board of Vooks, a company which produces award-winning books that are loved by parents and educators alike, and he’s part of an additional stealth mode startup (sounds mysterious). He enjoys mentoring and coaching.

We welcome back one of our favorite guests, David Schild, the executive director of the Printed Circuit Board Association of America. PCBAA was founded about three years ago to advance US domestic production of PCBs and base materials. The organization is made up of corporate members of all sizes, and includes fabricators, assemblers and suppliers. Schild brings us up to date on the US Department of Defense's National Defense Industrial Strategy, how industrial production is tied to military readiness; the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party's December 2023 report on how to staunch the flow of IP offshore and rekindle tech leadership and economic resilience; and whether the US government plans to get into the manufacturing business.

Artificial intelligence is perhaps the most discussed – and least understood – topic in technology today. We in electronics design and manufacturing know, of course, that automation is part and parcel of what we do. But while the landscape has changed, be it the transition from mechanical drawings to CAD tools with their autorouters, or from manual and semi-automatic printers and placement machines to lights-out factories where cobots have replaced operators, the industry still has a long, long way to go in terms of widespread implementation of AI, or even understanding what it all means. Andrew Scheuermann joins Mike Buetow to share some perspective on this emerging technology. Scheuermann, along with his business partner Tim Burke, is cofounder and CEO of Arch Systems, a Silicon Valley-based developer of software tools that collect raw machine data and use predictive analytics to calculate manufacturing key performance indicators, or KPIs. Scheuermann has published numerous scientific papers in the areas of semiconductors, electronics manufacturing, and renewable energy. He has a Ph.D. in Materials Science from Stanford, and is also part of StartX, a startup accelerator for company founders who are affiliated with Stanford that has invested over $200 million across various companies, including 13 now valued over $1 billion.

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.

EMA Design Automation has for years been the exclusive distributor of OrCAD Cadence in North America. Through acquisitions and internal development, EMA now has a series of its own software products for library management, component supply chain data. And this year EMA announced it would spin off those CAD-agnostic products into a new subsidiary called Accelerated Designs. EMA president and founder Manny Marcano joins Mike Buetow to break down the thinking behind the new company, its products, management and distribution agreement, and gives his take on Cadence's thoughts.

Printed circuit board and multichip module design software revenue soared 24% year-over-year to a record $426 million in the third quarter 2023, according to the ESD Alliance's latest Electronic Design Market Data (EDMD) report. ESD Alliance spokesperson Wally Rhines joins Mike Buetow to explain the latest data trends.

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.

Episode 134 - 2023 Podcast Season Wrap-Up On this episode, I have no guests as this is the final episode of the Reliability Matters Podcast for the 2023 season. Instead, let's review what happened on the podcast this year. A special thanks to my guests and listeners/viewers for making this podcast so successful. Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Reliability Matters Podcast 00:00:12 - The Electronic Assembly Industry Techniques 00:00:26 - Review of the 2023 Season 00:00:43 - Liquid Metal in Electronic Circuits 00:00:56 - Instant Solidification of Liquid Metal 00:01:14 - Counterfeit Component Detection 00:01:31 - Making Sense of Big Data in the Electronic Assembly Space 00:01:49 - IPC Apex Expo: Supply Chain Challenges 00:02:07 - Circuit Assembly Failures and Big Data Analysis 00:02:22 - Interview with David Raby on High Liability Contract Manufacturing 00:02:37 - Training for Effective and Entertaining Reliability 00:02:53 - "Fire Your Hiring Habits" with President and CEO of IPC 00:03:08 - Introduction to Highly Accelerated Life Testing 00:03:25 - 3,600 Mile Solo Kayak Journey Down the Missouri River 00:03:42 - Moisture Mitigation Best Practices 00:03:59 - Life as a Technical Consultant 00:04:14 - Network Reliability and Cybersecurity Threats 00:04:30 - Innovative Approaches to Education and Industry Icons 00:04:46 - Conformal Coating Materials with Lisa Rizzo 00:05:01 - Introduction to Wireless Wearable ESD Monitoring Device 00:05:16 - The Reliability of Circuit Assemblies 00:05:32 - Reliability of Circuit Assemblies and Emerging Technologies 00:05:47 - Increasing Challenges in Electronics Engineering 00:05:59 - The Silver Tsunami and Retirement 00:06:31 - Motivation for Starting the Podcast 00:06:45 - Gratitude for Support and Encouragement 00:06:59 - Gratitude for the Subject Matter Experts 07:13:00 - Acknowledging EMS Industry Experts 00:07:27 - Subscribe to the Podcast or YouTube Channel 00:07:39 - Release Schedule 00:07:55 - PCB Chat and Accendo Reliability 00:08:11 - Suggestions and Contact Information 00:08:26 - Wishing You a Joyous Holiday Season

We are all aware of the damage electrostatic discharge can wreak on components and electronic products. We mitigate ESD damage through various forms of monitoring. We wear wrist and heel straps, stand on ESD-safe flooring, utilize ESD workstations, and more. We even have ESD testing locations that will test a human standing on a specialized testing station. But what happens the moment that person steps off the tester? My guests today are Dr. Daan Stevenson and Dr. Jonathan Tapson of IONA Tech, a manufacturer of a novel wearable ESD monitoring device that provides constant real-time ESD monitoring. Normally, we don’t talk about specific products on the show. We usually limit our conversations to best practices. This is a bit of an exception to rule. From time to time, a product is introduced that is so novel, it's worthy of a conversation. And that’s the case here. Dr. Daan Stevenson is chief executive officer of IONA Tech. Dr. Stevenson has a background in mechanical and aerospace engineering. During his doctoral research, he studied the high voltage charging of spacecraft, which are electrical capacitors in the same way that the human body is. While working to design an automated ground station for UAVs, he frequently damaged electrical components from electrostatic shocks. This motivated the creation of IONA Tech, with the goal of advancing technology in ESD mitigation. Our other guest is Dr. Jonathan Tapson, chief technology officer of IONA Tech. Dr. Tapson was professor of electrical engineering at Western Sydney University before moving to Colorado in 2016. He spent his early career conducting sensor and instrumentation research, with a strong industrial focus. During this time he spun out three companies from his research, all of which are successful today. His specialties include low-noise circuits and systems design, mechatronic design and the integration of machine learning into real-time systems.

David Schild is executive director of the Printed Circuit Board Association of America. PCBAA was founded in 2021 to advance US domestic production of PCBs and base materials. We discuss major investment announcements by US PCB companies, industry funding from the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, the need for intense engagement at every level of government, and the latest on the Protecting Printed Circuit Boards and Substrates Act of 2023.

Robert Feranec is a hardware designer with over 20 years’ experience in the electronics industry, and specializes in PCB design, signal integrity and high-speed digital design. In addition, he is also a self-described passionate content creator on YouTube, where he has developed a large series of help-guides for PCB design and electronics engineering. His company, FEDEVEL Academy, also provides courses on electronics design. We talk about autorouting, simulation tools and teaching board design concepts on this edition of PCB Chat.

Today we’ll dive deep into the world of conformal coating. More and more assemblies are being subjected to conformal coating to protect the assembly from harsh environments. What’s leading the drive to conformal coat electronics assemblies? What types of conformal coating options are available? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each type? For circuit assemblies, the protective embrace of conformal coatings ensures reliability, longevity, and performance. As technologies advance, so does the demand for innovative solutions to safeguard our electronic products. Whether you're a seasoned industry professional, a curious tech enthusiast, or just someone who's new to the world of conformal coatings, this episode is your go-to source for in-depth information on the growing trend of applying conformal coating to circuit assemblies. So, join us as we peel back the layers, and immerse ourselves in the world of electronics protection, and learn how conformal coatings play a pivotal role in keeping our devices humming, even in the harshest environments. To better understand conformal coating, I invited Lisa Rizzo to the show. Rizzo is Senior Director of Strategy & Emerging Applications at HZO. HZO is a global leader and innovator in protective solutions that, according to them, “keep the world running.” They provide products to markets including consumer electronics as well as high-reliability markets including automotive, industrial, medical, and IoT to deliver a more resilient, reliable, and durable level of protection. HZO specializes in nanocoating solutions that safeguard electronics, electrical products & critical applications in an ever-changing market.

We are all aware of the supply chain issues our industry has faced. Beginning with electronic components, it has spread to so many other types of parts are industry relies on. Fortunately, it looks like we are beginning to come out the other end of the supply chain shortage. But the supply chain problems have further spread to the labor market. If you are in a position to hire people for your company, you know firsthand how difficult that process can be today. Adding to the level of labor acquisition difficulties is the great “Silver Tsunami,” otherwise known as the great retirement. As mentioned on Reliability Matters episode 130, the fact is, Baby Boomers are entering retirement in greater numbers. According to government data, from now until 2030, 10,000 boomers will hit retirement age each day. Millions will begin to officially retire. Some of these retirees are designated subject matter experts within their companies. Not only are people retiring, they are taking with them a vault of valuable knowledge. This has created an even larger demand for consultants within our industry. I’ve had several industry consultants on my show over the last few years, including today’s guest: legendary industry consultant, Bob Willis. If you’ve been in this industry longer than 18 seconds, there’s a good chance you’ve at least heard his name. If you’ve been in this industry for virtually any length of time, there’s a good chance you’ve seen his videos, read his books, or watched him present at numerous industry conferences and symposiums. If I reviewed Bob’s complete professional biography, it would take an entire episode. During our conversation, we discussed Bob's newest book, Robotic Soldering Inspection and Defect Guide. Anyone who makes a donation to Bob's chosen charity will receive a download of his book as well as access to Bob's complete book collection: Robotic Soldering Inspection and Defect Guide Pin in Hole Intrusive Reflow Desing Assembly & Defect Guide Package On Package Assembly Inspection & Quality Control Solder Paste Print Inspection & Defect Guide Lead-Free Defect Guide 3 Conformal Coating Inspection & Defect Guide QFN LGA Assembly Inspection & Defect Guide PCB Surface Finishes Inspection & Defect Guide Cleaning & Contamination Defect Guide Click the following link for more information: https://www.justgiving.com/page/bob-willis-roboticsolderingbook