The D-Code Podcast

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!

IPC Apex Series, Day 2, Interview 4- Don Jeka

Don JekaProducer Paul here. This was a really fun one to witness. I get to see the guys geek out behind the scenes about SMT/PCBA technology frequently before and after recording regular episodes, but they do their best to keep the official podcast from ever feeling like a commercial. That said, we purposely bring on people who are doing cool things and it happens after we end the recording from time to time. This was so fun because @Don Jeka barely had a chance to discuss his "Solutions" here. @ESSEMTEC USA drives their innovation with dedicated work with actual users of their products. You can see the impact as well. @Sean Kincaid & @Daniel Stanphill from the process engineering perspective were so thrilled to discuss the features of these products, they stepped all over him explaining the "Problems" being solved by each new solution.Even during this interview, they learn new things about this already available equipment that seem so "next gen" they are surprised and break the 4th wall to talk to you, the viewer, about their genuine excitement! Come along and learn with them from Don about what is possible now with "current gen" equipment.Oh, @Elias Malfavon Jr. was there, too. He added some relevant stuff in about stencils and screenprinting. If that's what you are here for, you won't miss out in this one. ;)#smt #pcba #ems #problemsandsolutions

IPC Apex Series, Day 2, Interview 3- Jake Benz

Sharks with laser beams and pizza cutters, what are we talking about here??Jake Benz (AKA runner up in the Best Mustache in the EMS world) Joins Sean, Elias, Daniel to discuss laser depaneling technologies and the benefits over the techniques of yesteryear. We also touch a bit on stencil lasers and assist gasses used in the cutting process!If frayed and delaminated FR4 is your problem, watch this!

IPC Apex Series, Day 2, Interview 2- Judy Warner

73% of Engineers are listening to Podcasts 😳Judy Warner dropped this nugget while chatting with Daniel, Elias, and Sean during hashtag#IPCAPEXEXPO2025. Judy has been a great friend of our Podcast, freely sharing her know how and experiences gained through her 7 years behind the mic.We chat about Judy's storied career in our space and the "pre China" glory days of North American EMS. We also touch on Judy's self proclaimed "accidental" entry into the Podcast space, if you ask us The EEcosystem is a pretty beautiful accident!Enjoy!hashtag#SMTA hashtag#PCB hashtag#PODCAST

IPC Apex Series, Day 2, Interview 1- Gene Weiner

Gene Weiner, the legend himself, takes some time to discuss current challenges and opportunities in supply chain management, sourcing, cost changes coming from trade agreement changes, and as it is 2025, of course we discussed AI!Sean Kincaid, Daniel Stanphill, and Elias Malfavon Jr. were schooled in this one! Gene is at the top of his game, keeping on his toes and doing all he can to continue his mission of improving our collective experience as manufacturers, here and abroad. If you are already familiar with Gene's career and think you don't need to watch this one... you are wrong! ☺️When asked about their careers, many people default straight to company names and positions held. Gene, excited as always by the industry, starts by sharing the first projects he worked on and the specific elements they were trying to achieve. It is fascinating.Don't forget to follow us and if you head over to the Apex Playlist on YouTube and subscribe, you will get notifications of new videos before we post them here! 😍

IPC Apex Series, Day 1, Interview 18- Jeremy Orbach

At least if you know how to use it, and that's what @Jeremy Orbach from @Omron is trying to help teach people.
Don't turn your inspection equipment into just an expensive conveyor!
He talks in this conversation about how to turn data into improved processes and realize results in days, not months or years.
Do you have a desire to drive towards a zero defect process?
If so, you should really get in touch with Jeremy!
Check out this conversation along with all the others from APEX on our Youtube channel or anywhere you stream audio 🎧
#pcb #pcba #smt #AOI #SPI #pcbinspection #data

IPC Apex Series, Day 1, Interview 17- David Kruidhof

D-Code veteran, and our network X-ray Guru, David K. sits down to talk all things X-rays!
We discuss the X-ray applications within the PCBA space, and how the need for advanced 3d imaging is and will only continue to keep growing. And Because it's The D-Code Podcast, we take a detour and discuss non PCBA applications (Read chicken and bricks !?!)
 
Don't miss this one!

IPC Apex Series, Day 1, Interview 16- Mark Mankoura

Our friend Mark Mankoura of AT&A joins us for a process related chat. We also discuss how EMS is often a generational trade, and how Mark has seized the opportunity his family's CM business has afforded him. 
Enjoy this conversation with our buddy from the north!