The D-Code Podcast

Rev 2.21 - Frank from Essemtec @SMTAI

What does naturally adaptive mean to you?
To @Essemtec it means the ability to dispense solder paste, pick and place components, easy programming, intuitive software, reworking on demand, and more!
The first time we talked to the good people at Essemtec they were already boasting dispensing speeds of 720,000 dots per hour. Now, they are up to 1.1 million dots per hour!
As Sean Kincaid said- Mind blowing! 🤯🤯🤯
Underfill, potting, glue dispensing, flux jetting, reballing BGAs, into cavities or step ups, inline or on an island, what else do you need?
Flexibility in a high-mix/low to medium volume environment is critical. If you are changing setups daily, you are always looking for ways to reduce the downtime of product changeovers. Frank Hart did a great job explaining to us how they provide bespoke solutions for their customers.
Essemtec is redefining what is possible in the SMT world!

Rev 2.22 - Chelsea from KYZEN @SMTAI

We at The D-Code love ‪@KYZEN-Corporation‬. From connecting at events to becoming great friends, we keep trying to find someone from KYZEN we don't like and so far, no dice. This holds true for Chelsea Jewell as well, who was already a great friend of Daniel and Elias , and now Sean has finally met her now by attending SMTAI 2025*. As Application Lab Manager, Chelsea gets to work on just about anything in the cleaning world, as KYZEN operates in most industries that require cleaning technology. With 13 years of experience at KYZEN, she has seen just about everything, but by no means has the job become boring. There are constantly new puzzles to solve, as she describes here!

Rev 2.20 - Jarred from Hanwha @SMTAI

Jarred Ragard discusses customer-driven development and how Hanwha Semitech prioritizes customer needs. It can be difficult to navigate the competing demands of ever smaller components needing quick and accurate placement while at the same time there are larger and more complex components need to be placed in the same line.

Rev 2.19 - David from Inovaxe @SMTAI

One wrong label can ruin thousands of boards.
SMTAI 2025 show highlight Inovaxe
Our podcast is centered around problems and solutions and David Ly from Inovaxe had one for every problem!
We talked about how easily a simple labeling error can snowball a customer supplied reel with multiple stickers, a misprinted internal label, or just one manual transcription mistake. It only takes one mix-up to create thousands of bad panels.
The point David kept coming back to was being proactive, not reactive. The best ROI isn’t waiting until a problem happens, it’s preventing it entirely.
The video shows exactly what that means.
The MODI Incoming Goods Scanner automates the receiving and labeling process to eliminate human error the second material enters the building.
The IMSD2000 Smart Dry Cabinet lets you locate reels before opening the door, protecting MSL parts and extending floor life.
The SREX Smart Racks bring pick-to-light storage that syncs with MES, ERP, and placement machines for full traceability across the factory.
The Smart Stencil Rack tracks stencil usage and maintenance automatically.
The InoBright Feeder Cart Add-On turns standard carts into intelligent, trackable systems with part and setup visibility.
And the VCcount X-Ray Counter brings high-volume, high-accuracy reel counting with splice and bag detection.
Every piece ties back to one theme eliminating manual touch points before they cause downtime or scrap.
Huge thanks to David Ly and the Inovaxe team for walking us through the lineup. Always a great reminder that preventing problems is the smartest investment you can make.

Rev 2.18 - Miles from KIC @SMTAI

Thermal profiling from the experts-
Generous to say experts as there was really only one expert on the panel, Miles Moreau.
Daniel shared his typical methodology for profiling a board and Miles was kind enough to say that was the way most people do it, albeit not the most accurate. 
Sean brought up different thermal profiling methods and devices he's used in the past and then highlighted that KIC now has wireless options for their profilers.
So for anyone that has ever used a traditional thermal profiler, you know the challenge of trying to extract the information after it comes out of the oven piping hot.
Imagine a world in which you can see the true delta from your set points to the on board temperature in real time as it goes through each zone....
Now quit imagining because the future is here! Listen to this interview we did at SMTAI to level up your thermal profiling knowledge.

Rev 2.17 - SMTA International 2025 Interview Teasers!!!

Thank you to the  ⁨@SMTAorg⁩  for the wonderful SMTA International 2025! Today we bring you a taste from each of the interviews we recorded while in the D-Code booth.It was incredibly tough to whittle down such excellent conversations to just 2-3 minute clips from each interview, because there is technical and personal conversation in just about each one. If you are here to learn more about the hosts or about technologies... you are in luck with both!Huge thank you to our all of our sponsors, to the SMTA, and a special shout-out to Chrys Shea and Bill Capen. We tried to record something special with Chrys in the booth and Bill joining virtually, but tech gremlins won out in the end. Stay tuned to see that content instead in an upcoming episode.#electronicsmanufacturing #smta #expo2025

Rev 2.16 Alex "BMS" Norman

Alex Norman can't stop BMS-ing... err, he is always willing to share knowledge about battery management systems. As a content creator with a presence on LinkedIn, Youtube, Patreon, and more, Alex shares his hobbies and his professional work with equal ease.
Ever designed a prototype first and trusted that the battery needs would just work out? Yes you have. Don't lie, Alex has the receipts. The earlier you incorporate the planning for your battery needs, the better! You aren't DFM-ing if you aren't BMS-ing.
#batterymanagement  #batterymanagementsystem #electronicsmanufacturing

Rev 2.15 SMTAI Preview W/ Karlie and Maddison

In this episode of the D-Code Podcast, hosts Elias Malfavon Jr., Daniel Stanphill and Sean Kincaid welcome special guests Karlie Severinson and Madison Soliday to discuss the upcoming SMTAI 2025 event. 
They share insights on new programs, the importance of networking, and the excitement surrounding the sold-out expo floor. The conversation also touches on the challenges of event planning, the role of AI in the industry, and the significance of fostering connections among attendees. Listeners are encouraged to participate in the event and take advantage of the opportunities it presents.

Rev 2.14 - Chris Hunrath - PCB SME

In this conversation, Chris Hunrath, Vice President of Technology at Inselectro, shares his extensive experience in the PCB industry, discussing the importance of knowledge transfer to the next generation, the challenges and innovations in PCB manufacturing, and the significance of thermal properties in design. He also delves into issues like electrochemical migration, dendritic growth, and the evolution of PCB processes and materials, highlighting the future of manufacturing and material science.
 

Rev 2.13 - The Rise and Grind Crew

Courtesy of the @EMAC Bright Manufacturing Challenge, the University of Minnesota's "Rise and Grind Crew" has already won $1000 and proceed to the next round for their Creative Design for their Line-following Robot. Next stage: actually build the robot and test it out at SMTAI 2025 in Chicago for a chance at $2500!Ethan Chung and Alexander Wan represent the team of 5 from @universityofminnesota who decided to take their design to the next level. While all teams start with the same basic PCB requirements, the same motors and wheels, they have to create their own hardware, firmware, assemble the robot, and have it perform in the line-following contest autonomously. Watch the episode to see their design and watch them impress Elias, Sean, and Daniel with their solution and show off favorite features in Altium.The D-Code Podcast and the SMT industry at large regularly discuss how to get the next generation of college students coming up to actively enter the SMT/PCB space. Why keep talking about it back and forth with other people experienced in the industry when we can get it direct from students actively studying to become EEs? Special thanks to EMAC and the @SMTAorg for creating this opportunity!Bright Manufacturing Challenge: electronicsworkforce.com/thechallengeSMTAI Event Description: smta.org/event/challenge2025#pcbdesign #altiumdesigner #smtai #electronicsmanufacturing #robotics #universityofminnesota #soldering