The D-Code Podcast

Rev 2.32 Solder paste with Shantanu and Greg from KOKI

Rev 2.32 - Sean Vouches For KOKI with Shantanu Joshi & Greg Starrett
Not all endorsements are created equal. Some come from sources like Sean Kincaid, who will proudly explain he's not a customer before going on to describe excellent service he received without pursuing next steps (cough cough Metal Etch Services cough).
You don't have to take Sean's word for it! Watch yourself to hear Shantanu Joshi and Greg Starrett demonstrate their extensive knowledge about solder paste advancements, formic acid reflow, customer collaboration, and more. As stencil men, Elias and Greg commiserate regarding the valuable knowledge they would love to share earlier in the process - especially since Daniel will inevitably blame the stencil...
00:00 Producer Paul's Pick00:39 Meet Shantanu and Greg03:07 Understanding Customer Collaboration in Engineering09:09 Industry Challenges - Mil/Aero & ADS13:44 Not All Type 5 Pastes Are Created Equal16:03 Trading Stencils for Paste18:24 Formic Acid Reflow and Zero Residue Paste29:24 Sean & Nano Don't Mix

Rev 2.31 - Bob Willis

Some people are just wired to share knowledge, and if you've ever encountered Bob Willis on LinkedIn, YouTube, or in person, you likely learned something valuable. Bob is someone who recognizes the value of getting in and playing with something to learn it, whether it is in your job description or not. Get over there, manipulate it, and understand it!Aside from picking his brain about training, lead-free solder testing, causes and mitigation of tombstoning... well, watch for yourself! See chapters below for additional details.Chapters00:00 Producer Paul's Pick00:41 Introduction to Bob Willis11:03 Cross Training And Communication18:11 Lead-Free Solder: Challenges and Insights24:31 Stencil Design for Mitigating Tombstoning33:10 Flux Dipping37:00 The Value of Training44:11 Challenges in Reflow and Wave Soldering49:13 Bob's Semi-Retirement and Future Plans54:08 Assembly Challenges with Smaller Componentslinkedin.com/in/bob-willis-47514a35/www.bobwillis.co.uk

Rev 2.30 - Mike from Aqueous @SMTAI

THE FINAL BOSS - Mike Konrad, Author, Podcaster, Narrator, Business Owner, SMTA Talking Head...Final as in, last SMTA International 2025 Interview, folks! Thank you for tuning in to each one along the way. 😀Mike Konrad has been one of our largest supporters and we are not exaggerating when we say that we are only here because of him. We are here because of many reasons, but one will always be Mike. From guiding us through the initial decision to even start a podcast to loaning us the entire recording setup we used for Apex, he's been instrumental.He was  @thereluctantentrepreneur  once upon a time, but he's excited enough about the topic to have his own podcast on the topic... so... perhaps he's Enthusiastically Reluctant, or something.Best known in our industry for  @AqueousTechnologies  and his knowledge about cleaning, he is perhaps most recognized online for his  @ReliabilityMatters  podcast - reliable enough to be at over 180 episodes released!!! We appreciate you, Podfather.

Rev 2.29 - John from Zestron @SMTAI

If you've ever heard of Zestron, then you know they are pretty serious about cleaning. But among the more technical discussion you'll find here, John Neiderman also shares that Zestron has as highly decorated Reliability & Solutions (R&S) Team that consults on projects, including root cause and failure analyses. By analyzing the full process, including printing, placement, profiling and more, they often uncover process improvements to benefit you that have nothing to do with changing or investing in your cleaning processes or chemistry choices.
This service isn't just available to OEMs and the large outfits - part of becoming a customer of Zestron is gaining access to education, support, and a partner when you need to up your reliability game or make process changes to level up your capabilities.

Rev 2.28 - Brent from Johnson SMT @SMTAI

When running a PCBA Consulting agency, you run into everything. Or so Brent Johnson imagines. He may have just recently started his agency, but he has years of process engineering experience, and has already worked with a popular guest on the podcast, Jordan Danko! Let the roasting begin...
No, this was a great conversation, and it just felt like the right time to bring back "a lack of board supports on the second side" from one of the hosts you see here... He was asking for it though, because he was really trying to pry all the info he could out of Brent for free.

Rev 2.27 - Viktoria Rawinsky @SMTAI

Viktoria Rawinsky Solves (PCB) Crime For a Living!
How fun does that sound, really? Viktoria gets to spend her time studying, imaging, and finding the root cause of various failure types, often in combination. It takes serious detective chops to not just find one culprit involved in a defective board, but to find and overlay all the "fingerprints" when multiple causes of failure work together to obfuscate the issue.
When COVID hit and many were scrambling or holding on tight with fear, Viktoria went out and bought top-of-the-line imaging equipment at bargain prices and re-invested in her own future. Learn more from "The Dendrite Queen" through the following chapters:
00:00 Producer Paul's Pick00:35 Viktoria Rawinsky of LinkedIn Fame02:36 Incomplete Solder Mask Crosslinking05:56 Sean Stream of Consciousness Monologue09:44 Anyone Can Measure - Interpretation Is The Key12:44 NDAs Don't Cover Detective Stories16:22 Mic Drop Moment

Rev 2.26 - Justin from ROCKA @SMTAI

Justin has a lot of media experience, and is used to having the camera and mic with him, asking questions of others and giving them a chance to shine. We were therefore stoked to have a conversation that was equal parts Personal Marketing, SMTA Involvement, but also really interesting technical conversation as he got into discussing ROCKA not just as a company, but as a leader in modern stencil roll development.
Speaking of marketing, we are going to need to get some kind of credit for helping launch the new campaign slogan for the special polyester blend of stencil roll that performs so well, "Where You Spray, It Will Stay".

Rev 2.25 - Sutharshan from SMT Elite @SMTAI

We knew Sutharshan just got elected to the SMTA Board of Directors (Congratulations!), but we didn't know his full background with the SMTA. It's been 18 Years since the first time Sutharshan expressed interest in learning more about the SMTA! Safe to say he has made the most of his time participating in various ways in that time.
SMT Elite is a newer venture for Sutharshan, but with experience in process engineering, DFM reviews, constant knowledge absorption via regularly scheduled webinars and training opportunities... He's more than up to the task.

Rev 2.24 - Rob Bugoski from Datest @SMTAI

This is an excellent blend of technical conversation and personal experiences of the connections formed in this community, especially via SMTA activity. Robert Boguski is entertaining and humorous while discussing his company's background and role, and there are plenty of laughs in the first half while generally keeping to industry topics.
But for those of you who like to learn more about:the personal lives of our hosts and guests... the experiences behind the scenes and outside of primary employment that help shape who we are at work...the support you can receive from participation in organizations such as the SMTA...
this one is a treat. Learn how the real quality connections made initially for networking turn into lifesavers and genuine supports in times of need. Thank you Robert for one of our longest and most dynamic conversations at SMTAI.
From Producer Paul: It was because of my involvement in the podcast and all of those who have encouraged us and supported us along the way that I was there with Daniel at the SMTA STAR High Reliability Conference when we got the news about Dad passing. We were fortunate enough to be together, and to be there with some amazing humans who helped us through. Thanks to the Podfather aka Mike Konrad, the Bosom Buddies, all of our awesome GUESTS, fans, supporters, sponsors, mentors, and especially the friends who go well beyond simple industry connections. -PP

Rev 2.23 - Gary from ABW @SMTAI

Gary Bales, President and CEO of Aurora Boardworks, stops by the set to discuss Daniel's employee personnel file! We kid, but we did have a great conversation about ABW's storied history, and their recent investments in new automation and production capabilities.
Thank you to Gary and ABW for their continued support of The D-Code Podcast!