Reliability Matters

Apr 23 2024 34

Reliability Matters is a podcast on the subject of reliability of circuit assemblies. Reliability "best practices" and success stories are discussed. This podcast features interviews with experts in the electronic assembly industry.

All electronic production segments which effect product reliability are on the table. This includes contamination, coating, cleanliness assessment, inspection, building for harsh environments, reflow, printing, failure analysis, board fabrication, and much more.

Your Host:
Mike Konrad began his career in the electronic assembly equipment industry in 1985. Mike founded Aqueous Technologies in 1992 in response to the Montreal Protocol and the resulting international treaty banning most popular cleaning/defluxing solvents.

Mike is an internationally known speaker on the subject of increasing reliability through contamination removal and cleanliness quantification techniques and procedures. Mike was awarded “Distinguish Speaker Status” with SMTA in 2018 and received the “Rich Freiberger Best of Conference Award” in 2019.

Mike is a member of the SMTA Global Board of Directors where he is Vice President of Communications. Mike is also Vice President of Technical Programs for the Los Angeles / Orange County SMTA Chapter.

Visit the Reliability Matters Podcast Website:
https://www.reliabilitymatterspodcast.com

RSS feed Share

Copy RSS

Subscribe on Podcast Addict

Episode 142: Live from SMTA's Pan Pacific Strategic Electronics Symposium (PanPac)

Apr 23 2024 38 mins

This episode was recorded at SMTA's Pan Pacific Strategic Electronics Symposium on the big island of Hawaii.My guests on this episode are Dr. Chuck Bower, founder of PanPac, Keith Bryant, and Dr. Ron Lasky.We discussed the history of PanPac, technologies introduced at PanPac, and what makes PanPac so unique. We also discuss Dartmouth College's unique engineering innovations program

Episode 141: Component Tape Splicing Best Practices with Larry (The Professor) Welk

Apr 09 2024 57 mins

Optimization has become an important goal within the electronic assembly industry. While modern electronic assembly techniques utilize a variety of equipment, one specific type of equipment often consumes a disproportionate percentage of the overall equipment budget, that is the place machine. The cost of the machine, associated conveyors and feeders, require that the machine is ru

Episode 140: Circuit Board Design and Acquisition Best Practices

Mar 26 2024 70 mins

This episode is a little different from our usual episodes. First of all, it’s a dual-branded episode. It’s both a Reliability Matters Podcast and an Ecosystem podcast episode. The Ecosystem podcast host Judy Warner will join me for an unusual topic, at least for The Reliability Matters Podcast. Most of my audience are assemblers of circuit assemblies. Our world begins with a b

Episode 139: Environmentally Responsible Alternatives to Traditional PCB Fabrication

Mar 12 2024 55 mins

Today, we delve into an increasingly critical aspect of technology and electronics manufacturing - the pursuit of environmentally responsible electronics manufacturing. Our industry has witnessed many environmental revolutions. The elimination of popular cleaning solvents brought on by the Montreal protocol in 1989, soon followed by strict VOC regulations pertaining to cleaning

Episode 138: Hand Soldering and Rework Best Practices with Debbie Wade

Feb 27 2024 71 mins

Today we're diving deep into the world of precision and craftsmanship—two crucial elements in the realm of hand soldering and rework of circuit assemblies.Whether you're a seasoned electronics enthusiast, a hobbyist, or just someone with a curious mind, this episode promises to demystify the art and science behind hand soldering and rework. We'll be exploring the latest tools, te

Episode 137: Building a Sustainable Career with a Sustainable Impact

Feb 13 2024 75 mins

Today, we delve into the crucial aspects of maintaining well-being on this journey—how to sidestep the notorious burnout, and perhaps more importantly, how to fuel and maintain your motivation. Because, let's face it, the road to creating a meaningful impact can be demanding, and it's essential to navigate it with resilience and purpose.Join me for a conversation with Rick Coulso

Episode 136: Environmentally Responsible/Sustainable Conformal Coating with Dr. Cassandra Zentner

Jan 23 2024 64 mins

We covered the topic of ultrathin conformal coatings back in November. We covered various conformal coating materials from traditional acrylics and silicones to ultrathin parylene coatings. What other coating materials are available? Where do these types of coatings fit within specific applications? Where do health and safety, environmental concerns, and sustainability programs fit

Episode 135: A Conversation with Dr. Zach Peterson about Board Design Best Practices

Jan 08 2024 73 mins

In today's increasingly connected and digital world, PCBs are the unsung heroes that power our devices, from smartphones to spacecraft. Yet, the art and science of designing these crucial components often go unnoticed. That’s where this episode comes in. Today, I hope to shine a spotlight on the critical role PCBs play in modern technology and explore the best practices that dr

Episode 134 - 2023 Podcast Season Wrap-Up

Dec 26 2023 8 mins

On this episode, I have no guests as this is the final episode of the Reliability Matters Podcast for the 2023 season. Instead, let's review what happened on the podcast this year.A special thanks to my guests and listeners/viewers for making this podcast so successful.

Episode 133: Novel Wireless / Wearable ESD Monitoring

Dec 12 2023 65 mins

We are all aware of the damage electrostatic discharge can wreak on components and electronic products. We mitigate ESD damage through various forms of monitoring. We wear wrist and heel straps, stand on ESD-safe flooring, utilize ESD work stations, and more. We even have ESD testing locations that will test a human standing on a specialized testing station. But what happens the mo

More Episodes