We sat down with Zach to explore everything from AI in PCB design to the reality of design reviews, miniaturization, and the impact of tariffs on manufacturing. 👨‍🏫 Zach shared how he transitioned from hobbyist to professional, why investing in quality tools matters, and how AI won’t replace designers—but will definitely transform the workflow. 🔥 H…

From waste to wealth behind the scenes of metal reclaiming. Ever wondered how discarded solder dross transforms into high-purity metal? Tune in for the secrets! Stan's known as the "solder guru" for good reason he's been deep in the trenches of solder recycling and reclaiming for over two decades. We talked about how his family business was doing s…

Jeff Leal from Axxon-Mycronic swings by the set to dispense some knowledge 😉 An interesting talk unfolded as we discussed precision dispensing and coating solutions. The cast found particular value in learning about "right sized" platforms that can allow low volume outfits an entrance into automation via desktop dispensing robots! Sean and Elias to…

The Podfather 🎤 Our friend Mike Konrad from Aqueous Technologies and the host of The Reliability Matters Podcast, takes an unfamiliar seat as a guest during IPC Apex 2025! Mike's humility won't allow him to accept the credit due to him for mentoring and helping us up on this journey. We converse about podcasting, collaboration, and even a bit about…

⚙️ “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 job…

🌎 “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 U…

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 natio…

"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…

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…

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 manufacturi…

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 pr…

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, ho…

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 PCB…

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 m…

Don Jeka Producer 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 thin…

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 fra…

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 Chi…

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, keepi…

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 ze…

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 !?!) D…

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!על ידי The D-Code

Watt a pleasure it was catching up with Fraser Shaw from Watt Laser! Fraser joined The Cast at IPC Apex 2025 to chat stencil inspection, laser welding, and laser cutting. Watt's SMT Stencil focused quality control platforms are a quantum leap in ease of use and effective detection of not only defects, but also process variance! (Full disclosure, El…

We actually called Matthew Argyris at Europlacer in the middle of a pod recording (at like 10 pm his time) and perhaps even crazier he answered and agreed to join the podcast impromptu and answer some of our printing questions. He was a little more prepared for this conversation at IPC Apex 2025 ;) Matt is an expert at communicating how the machine…

Sean's fellow Michigander, Jay Patel of Amtech, joins the Cast at IPC Apex 2025. The conversation revolves heavily around Vapor Phase reflows and its benefits and applications. Enjoy!על ידי The D-Code

During the IPC APEX 2025 event, The D-Code Podcast hosted a compelling interview with Dr. Eric Bruner from Aculon, shedding light on the company's cutting-edge surface modification technologies. The conversation delved into Aculon's diverse range of hydrophobic, oleophobic, and other functional coatings, emphasizing their applications within the el…

Timon Ruban joins The D-Code Podcast, the visionary founder behind Luminovo, a revolutionary platform transforming the electronics supply chain. He'll be diving deep into how Luminovo leverages AI to streamline procurement, automate quoting, and foster seamless collaboration among suppliers, designers, and manufacturers. With a mission to modernize…

How many people active in the SMT world can say they produced products for solder paste deposition when the best available technology was screen printing, with an actual woven mesh screen! Elias Sr. joins the younger model along with the rest of the cast to discuss the evolution of the SMT Stencil industry over his nearly 40 year career.…

Megan, The Queen of Networking 👑 Megan Wendling's family history is intertwined with the origins of NEPCON. Today, she leads Megan Wendling Associates, a prominent PR and marketing firm specializing in the electronics manufacturing services (EMS) sector. At IPC APEX 2025, she discussed her background, her company, and her role as a key connector wi…

Larry Welk (Professor Splice) was kind enough to stop by our recording booth and describe how his products help people in my shoes every day. We feel safe saying most people have no idea how difficult it is to pull off a good splice without the proper equipment. Beyond spending time with him in our booth, we also went to his later and got to see hi…

🧠 What if your consumables supplier axed the middleman and rebooted an industry chapter? That’s Justin Worden’s game plan. Sat down with my buddy live at IPC APEX 2025 D-Code Podcast to unpack how ROCKA Solutions and his SMTA Austin Chapter hustle are shaking things up. 💡 What’s Rocka Solutions? Kicked off as a global distributor for Zestron, Welle…

🧠 Imagine if BOM management was as easy as clicking ‘Buy Now’ on Amazon. That’s not a dream anymore it’s what Nino Hardin and the team at Cofactr are making a reality. We sat down live at IPC APEX 2025 to talk about what might be one of the most disruptive tools in the EMS supply chain game right now.…

This one is for you AI buffs out there! Andrew Schuermann talks why we should use AI to eliminate the dull, dirty, dangerous, and disappearing functions within our work days. The conversation sways heavily towards the ability to define down time and it's causes, efficiently utilizing technology to shorten mean time to repair.…

Domestic PCB manufacturing has taken a beating, but it is not dead! John Vaughan joins us on set at Apex to discuss all things PCBs and how they play a critical role in US National Defense. John discusses the foundation of the PCBAA and the work this group is doing on "The Hill" Tune in and enjoy!על ידי The D-Code

The Printed Circuit Board Association of America (PCBAA) It does have a nice ring to it for anyone in the industry. Also, if you live in the United States and use any electronic products, this may concern you. We were privileged to sit down with David Schild and speak about the efforts being conducted on Capitol Hill to reshore America's electronic…

🦊 “We're the foxes in the henhouse.” That’s how Michael Civigny from C-TAC described their role in the electronics manufacturing world—and honestly, it’s perfect. On this episode of The D Code: IPC APEX 2025 Edition, we dug into how C-TAC is redefining machine performance validation across the board. No bias. No fluff. Just data that tells the trut…

Welcome to The D Code: IPC APEX 2025 Edition! We kicked things off live from the show floor with none other than Chrys Shea and it was everything we hoped for. From miniaturization trends to workforce development, and from solder paste testing to balancing fun and technical mastery in the shop, Chrys brought insight and laughs. Here's a taste of wh…

Are you wondering what insights you can get from an SPI? Have you been told about problems with "false calls" and difficulty getting boards to pass inspection? Wish you could identify issues not just before boards are shipped, but before they've proceeded down the production line? Are you desperate to learn the difference between a squircle, an oct…

If you ever had questions about print parameters, we have an episode for you! While it does get specific to equipment both Daniel and Sean own at portions, this means you get to see the more of the "into the weeds" than a typical episode. Watch to the end or you'll miss our surprise SME guest!על ידי The D-Code

PCB Designer and YouTube sensation Robert Feranec, helps kick of Rev 2 of The D-Code Podcast in a BIG WAY! Along with Daniel, Elias, and Sean, Robert chronicles his journey from an hourly employee through the formation of his acclaimed learning platform, FEDEVEL. Chew on some technical bites while you enjoy Robert's fascinating story!…

This episode is short but sweet. Join Daniel, Elias, and Sean as they look back over 2024 and Rev 1 of The D-Code Podcast. Considering the whole gang (including Producer Paul!) has full time jobs that come first, we are proud of what we have attained, the content we've put out, and the path forward into 2025! You won't want to miss out on our favor…

Join Daniel, Elias, and Sean as they discuss high-level #smt concepts with Tony Kelbert ranging from comparing and contrasting #3dprinting with laser etching to his favorite parts of his job. This is a fun, imagery heavy episode with lots of material beneficial to people on the fringes of SMT - like Cathy Rinne from Flex-line Automation who comes u…

Back to back process conversations! Bill Capen from @honeywell has 37 years of experience, and it shows through this conversation. From the effects of solder paste selection for environment and process to European sparrows, Bill guides Daniel, Elias, and Sean through an informative conversation. Maybe it is all a big coincidence, (Narrator: It wasn…

Prepare to summit the peak of D-Code Podcast Entertainment! We've arrived, in that Chrys Shea honored us with her presence! For only being her 3rd appearance on a podcast, she sure delivered! Chrys is a barrel of laughs, and as much fun as we had, we sure hope you like it, too! Where to begin? Up for conversation is Chrys Shea's current passion, #u…

Successfully, it seems! In all seriousness, the whole crew learned a lot in this great conversation with David Kruidhof from Comet about how #smt only increases reliance on x-ray as size of components decreases. While the conversation flows and the group has fun as usual, this episode is more question and answer as David shares his impressive knowl…

Last of the current run of in-person episodes, The D-Code hosts wrap up a few more experiences in the Chicago area during #smtai. Daniel shares his experience in the #omronindustrialautomation Demo Lab - check out a virtual tour halfway down this page: automation.omron.com/en/us/support/automation-centers Sean describes some of what his #spi and #a…

The cast is back again in its second episode of a three part SMTAI special series! In this episode we drill down on PCBs as Sean shares his PCB fab factory tour. Enjoy the banter and stay tuned for part three!על ידי The D-Code

The D-Code cast's first in person recording, coming at you from SMTAI in Rosemont, Il. Listen as the conversation weaves between process talk and plans for "The Show" Stay tuned for more episodes in this special series!על ידי The D-Code

Note: This podcast is not about fish. Don't worry though, much of the first 10 minutes is! Turns out, the D-Code cast also has experience with caring for tropical fish. Or in Daniel's case, you show off how close you live to a truly amazing place, the Omaha Zoo. We promise, there is EMS-related discussion as well. From how to recognize 30 year old …

Even keeping things brief, The D-Code can't resist ribbing each other and waxing sarcastic. In this short but sweet episode, join Daniel Stanphill, Elias Malfavon, and Sean Kincaid for a quick announcement regarding SMTAI attendance.על ידי The D-Code

The D-Code Podcast welcomes Caleb Chenoweth for what proved to be a bit of an "Operator's Special" Don't get us wrong - there are a lot of topics up for discussion in Rev 1.9. But if you are an operator or heavily process oriented, this episode is especially for you. Starting off with a conversation about Caleb's education and avenue he has taken t…