The D-Code Podcast

IPC Apex Series, Day 2, Interview 14- Tim Kang

⚙️ “It’s not about CPH—it’s about what you get out the door.”At IPC APEX 2025, we sat down with Tim Kang from Hanwha to talk about next-gen automation, and let’s just say—Hanwha isn’t playing catch-up… they’re setting the pace.From dual-lane ovens that run lead and lead-free at the same time, to pick-and-place systems that run two independent jobs simultaneously—we’re seeing innovation that’s pushing the boundaries of what’s possible on the production floor.🔧 Highlights from the convo:Why CPH is overrated and output-per-day is what really mattersHanwha’s dual-lane reflow oven with independent thermal chambers—run two profiles, two speeds, no cross-contaminationA dual job pick-and-place platform that supports multiple conveyor lengths and setups running at onceHow cart-based feeder systems reduce changeover and operator strainWhy North American CMs need high-mix, low-volume friendly systems—not just speedHow Hanwha engages with customers post-sale to fine-tune performance and drive continuous improvementIt’s not just about selling machines—it’s about engineering solutions that actually fit the real-life factory floor.Big shoutout to Tim and the entire Hanwha team for supporting The D Code Podcast and for continuing to bring disruptive innovation to the SMT world.

IPC Apex Series, Day 2, Interview 13- Jason Wahba

🌎 “It’s not about borders—it’s about building together.”Live from the IPC APEX 2025 show floor, we caught up with Jason Wahba of JW Corporation, who crossed the border (legally 😄) from Canada to talk all things automation, global manufacturing insights, and the future of lean electronics.🇨🇦🇺🇸 Big thanks to Jason for the Unity Pins—combining the US and Canadian flags—and for sharing some sharp insights from his recent travels through Japan and Taiwan.🤖 Key takeaways from our convo:Why Asia is pulling ahead in automation—not just SMT, but process-wide, including low-cost cobots and automation strategies that start at the quoting phaseHow their “automate first” mindset allows them to price competitively, scale faster, and defend against competition long-termThe biggest roadblock to adoption here? Not just cost—it’s the lack of implementation knowledgeWhy lean manufacturers like us can’t afford not to automate, even in high-mix, low-volume environmentsWhy collaboration across borders and competitors isn’t just possible—it’s essential to grow the entire industryJason brought international experience, practical advice, and a heavy dose of humor—including a salute to his $40 Harbor Freight conformal coating setup 😆This one was part community, part case study—and all heart. Thank you, Jason and JW Corp, for supporting the podcast and the mission of growing this industry together.

IPC Apex Series, Day 2, Interview 12- Don Dennison

You don't last 30 years in this industry unless you do things right!
 
Don Dennison grabs the mic in a show floor interview with Elias, Sean, and Daniel at Apex 2025.
Don is in the elite camp of folks who have attended all 25 IPC Apex Expos!
 
We converse about the important role Technical Reps play as a conduit between their regional clients and national brands. We also had a bit of a laugh talking about the evolution of sales techniques from cold call into the digital era.
 
Enjoy!
 
#NEWTWORKING #SOLUTIONS #SMT #PCBA

IPC Apex Series, Day 2, Interview 11- Jessica Molloy

"Nothing we design, nothing we make, is worth anything if no one buys it"Enter Jessica Molloy from Asteria Sales & Marketing!We chat about two key points that may resonate with you:Breaking Down Barriers: It's great to see younger professionals in electronics confidently approaching senior figures. This willingness to connect, ask questions, and learn from experience is a major cheat code for growth and innovation within our industry. We all stand to gain if we continue to foster environments where this intergenerational knowledge sharing thrives! The Veterans in our industry are so willing to chat and share their knowledge. I have heard from more than one OG, that they have seen their enthusiasm and zeal for the space, restored by mentoring the next generation. The Power of Sales & Marketing: Jessica also emphasizes the critical role of sales and marketing alongside our talented design and production engineers. Bringing our products to market requires strategic communication, understanding market needs, and building strong relationships. It's a team effort, and every function is essential for success.

IPC Apex Series, Day 2, Interview 10- Denis Barbini

Who do you call when you need root cause analysis due to PCBA related failures? Your clean chemicals provide, naturally...Denis Barbini from ZESTRON Americas mans the interview seat aside Daniel, Elias, and Sean at IPC Apex 2025!Denis shines a light on some surprising support Zestron is providing its partners, the cast was genuinely in awe of the unexpected role Denis and Co. are playing in the field!Problems and solutions, listen now! #SMT #FAILUREANALYSIS #PCBA #CLEANING

IPC Apex Series, Day 2, Interview 9- John Mitchell

Mr. IPC himself, John W Mitchell joined The D-Code Podcast at APEX 2025. Right off the bat, he flipped the script and started the interview asking questions of us. (We got our chance to ask him questions too!) Topics like apprenticeship, which is an exciting program the IPC is sponsoring to help foster the next generation of electronics manufacturing talent. There are apprentice and pre-apprentice programs available. He also showcased how standards get developed- you can get involved!John was very candid about all things electronics and how to create an atmosphere of partnership.Elias Malfavon Jr., Sean Kincaid, Producer Paul, and Daniel Stanphill extend our sincere gratitude once again to the IPC for being an amazing partner to us!You can also view this video on our YouTube page. Please hit like and subscribe and stay tuned for new episodes coming soon!

IPC Apex Series, Day 2, Interview 8- David Ly

How smart is your storage?
Inovaxe extraordinaire David Ly joined us to talk about the solutions they have for the PCB assembly world.
And let me tell you-
They have a lot!
🎧Listen to learn about the smart racks and integration into your ERP/MRP software 🎧
This was another interview where it was hard for the guest to try and talk about their own product because the hosts could not keep their excitement contained.
Can you imagine receiving and storing your parts in seconds?
Can you imagine selecting your kit and all the parts you need light up on the shelves so you know what to pick?
Or how about all the inventory data automatically linked from pick and place usage to your shelves?
There are too many advantages to list here, listen to this fun conversation to hear more of them!
As always, we thank our audience for listening and please remember to subscribe to our YouTube page and follow us on LinkedIn for more!

IPC Apex Series, Day 2, Interview 7- Gayle Towell

Gayle Towell brings the education. Seriously, between two (2!) Masters degrees, teaching, and scientific journalism, she is an explaining machine! If you are newer to surface mount and want to learn more about the miniaturization of solder paste and stencil thickness, this interview really gives a great overview. Learn how solder balls are made, how they interact with stencils and the process of selecting what Type of paste to use.Join Sean Kincaid and Daniel Stanphill as they get schooled together by Gayle and Elias Malfavon Jr., with his stencil expertise and customer feedback he obtains to consistently drive best practice improvements.Many people are out here working with area ratio and stencil thickness as their primary concerns. When you start getting into the smaller apertures on the thinner stencils, rather than focusing just on the 5 ball rule for width of aperture, you have to start considering the height of the aperture as well. Imagine dealing with such small apertures that Type 3 solder balls are actually taller than the height of the stencil, leading to shearing effects and insufficient transfer.Also, if you love sharing and teaching about SMT concepts, you just might have a superpower you didn't know about... Gayle knows hers!#smt #pcb #problemsandsolutions #solderpaste #pcbassembly

IPC Apex Series, Day 2, Interview 6- Phil Marcoux

The Father of Surface Mount Technology.... Let that sink in for a moment.Phil Marcoux was gracious enough to join Elias, Daniel, and Sean for an amazing conversation starting with the contested beginnings of SMT and working up to AI and it's applications in the EMS world.Phil makes a fascinating comparison between the introduction of SMT into PCBA and where we are currently with AIHe also gives praise to Sean for a recent novel idea he had during a meeting they both attended.It was truly a privilege to sit with Papa SMT, 10 minutes was no where near enough time for our inquisitive minds.Fortunately Elias may have a touch of salesmanship in him, as he asks for the sale via an on film request and acceptance from Phil for a full length Podcast episode in the near future!#SMT #PCBA #AI #LEGEND

IPC Apex Series, Day 2, Interview 5- Debbie Carboni

Daniel Stanphill friend, Debbie Carboni, joined us to talk about the science they are working on at KYZEN Corporation to help people in the PCBA space. Do you use IPA in your under stencil cleaning process? Do you always use a wet pass or do you sometimes use a dry pass?She can tell you how to stabilize your processes through chemistry.They can monitor processes in real time and help you detect problems before they exist!Sean Kincaid shares a testimonial of Kyzen's thorough work instructions for how to properly prepare the cleaning system to make a chemistry switch. Also the final results on the boards being washed with the chemistry from Kyzen are beautiful.Daniel was quick to back up Sean's testimony with his positive experience getting help from Kyzen when Aurora first got their cleaning systems up and running.Also, don't miss Elias Malfavon Jr. giving Debbie a tag line she can use and tell us if you liked it!As always, please go to our YouTube page and subscribe so you can see not just the APEX videos but all of our new releases also!