OnTrack: The PCB Design Podcast

Today we are joined by Dan Beaulieu, founder and owner of Db Management Group. He and Zach chat about the PCB industry's broad marketing trends including how it's stuck in the past, the declining trade show industry, how sales reps can stay relevant, and much more. Watch this episode here 0:00 Intro to Dan Beaulieu 5:48 Sales & Marketing Stuck in the Past 9:14 Impacts of the Domestic PCB Base 12:59 Is the Trade Show Method Going Away? 16:45 How do Reps Stay Relevant? 19:27 Focusing on Younger Designers 24:30 How Manufacturers Stand Out from the Competition 28:42 Designers and Board Shop Conflicts 31:42 Importance of Touring Shops 33:36 Capital Investment and PCB Shops 38:51 Focus on the Customer's Need, Then Provide It

Today we are joined by Paul Durand-Estèbe, Lead Electronic Developer at Metyos. He and Zach have a fascinating conversation about how Metyos is contributing to the future of wearable medical devices. They focus on Metyos's groundbreaking wearable glucose monitoring tech, the medical field's emergent wearables trend, and much more. 0:00 Intro 1:33 Intro to Paul and Metyos 2:56 A Lesser Invasive Glucose Monitoring Device 5:08 Better Monitoring Faster 8:14 Bad Glucose Monitoring Leads to Disastrous Results 10:52 Potential Chronic Health Monitoring Systems 13:33 Why Start with Kidney Disease? 16:36 From Monitoring to Administering Medication? 18:01 Scaling Challenges (Cutout a minute before this) 22:36 Proving the Effectiveness of the Device 26:54 What Does the Manufacturing Look Like? 31:37 Initial Response to Metyos 35:56 Doctors Receiving Real-time Data

In this episode of the OnTrack Podcast, we have a chat with Benjamin Dannan, a defense & aerospace contractor. We talk about power integrity, high amps, quality reports, vendor models, the importance of verification, and much more. Watch this episode Episode Highlights: Intro Ben's Background Power Integrity Considerations Vendor Models Quality & Accuracy Trust & Verify File Density Challenges Die (integrated circuit) Models & Packages "It's Easy to Miss Things." Lost in the Translation Ask for Quality Reports 2,000 Amp Challenges Links and Resources: Watch Recent Related Episodes PCB Packaging & the Future of Manufacturing The Impact of the Defense Sector in the Electronic Industry Ecosystem Read Related Articles: Designing for Military and Aerospace Embedded Systems Applications Advantages of Flexible Circuits for Space Applications Connect with Benjamin Dannan on LinkedIn EDI CON Online 2023

Today we have a fascinating conversation about PCB manufacturing, reshoring, testing, and much more with Cody Endlich, Head of Strategic Sourcing at MacroFab. He and Tech Consultant Zach Peterson discuss the latest trends in manufacturing, procurement, and supplier dynamics. This is a wonderful convo for anyone interested in the future of PCB sourcing and manufacturing. 1:00 Cody's Background 2:59 Internalizing the Broker Process 4:51 What's Different about MacroFab 8:25 Where Are MacroFab's Partners? 10:17 Reshoring Efforts 12:35 Copycats? 16:09 The Sourcing Picture 20:43 How MacroFab Tests 23:42 Bringing the Process In-House 26:16 Turning Heads 29:12 A Solid Supplier Relationship 34:54 Will Mexico's Trading Role Persist 38:13 MacroFab's Biggest Growth Area 39:32 Going Forward Links and Resources: Watch Related Episodes: Macrofab: Modern EMS Solutions in North AmericaRead Related Data Security, 5G and Onshore PCB Manufacturing with Dr. Rob Spalding Achieving Diversified Electronics Supply Chain Connect with Cody Endlich on LinkedIn Visit MacroFab website

Today we have a chat with Daniel Kagerbauer, CTO and co-founder at Inmox. This is a fascinating conversation regarding Inmox's aim to change how industrial maintenance is done and, while their initial focus is on gearboxes, the implications for their software and sensor developments may be broadly applicable across the entire industrial landscape. The two talk about monitoring industrial systems, materials challenges, industry-specific applications, and much more. If you're interested in advancements in the industrial space, this is the episode for you. Show Highlights: Introduction to Daniel Kagerbauer CTO and co-founder of Inmox. Inmox is part of the Altium startup program called Launchpad Inmox is currently developing industry ready prototype and moving towards heavy industrial applications Commercial automotive and even the racing industry is a better fit for Inmox’s gearbox monitoring system Daniel describes in detail what their product look like, from a sensor oil screw that can monitor the vehicle’s lubrication system, installing T-tube and wiring local ethernets Data are being collected where the wear particles are present, and the oil screw with the lubricant have quite good access to essential stuff that needs measuring Smaller systems are more automative focus while bigger systems are applicable for wind energy versions such as a helicopter, moreover safety is utmost important Certification challenges can involve finances, redesigns and weight optimization How does the real-time particle analysis works? Daniel talks more about distinguishing between ferromagnetic, non-ferromagnetic, and the good old electro magnetism Inmox is currently in negotiation with potential customers and doing interviews with mentors from different industries Body vibration monitoring is more precise and reliable Inmox longterm vision is to promote extended lifespan to machines and pushing mechanical engineering in a more sustainable path Links and Resources: Leap your start-up to the next level. Learn more about Altium Launchpad, a program designed to support early stage start-ups launch their product to the market, fast! Read related articles: PCB Manufacturing Startup Costs: Budget for Tests and Success The Startup's Guide to PCB Manufacturing Electronic Hardware Startup Tips: From Idea to Manufacturing How to Build a Hardware Startup: Beginning to Realize Your Electronics Dreams Visit Inmox website Connect with Daniel Kagerbauer on LinkedIn