Shows
Pick, Place, PodcastInevitable FailuresAfter a long break (and a few listener wellness checks!), Chris and Melissa return to catch up on what’s kept them busy and share some updates from around the industry. Then, they dive into this episode’s big topic: who’s responsible for the inevitable fallout when it comes to quick-turn PCB assembly?Topics include:Catching up after six months of growth, hiring, and trainingAndrew Seddon’s appearance on The Amp Hour — and how it ties back to the origins of this podcastIPC’s rebrand to the Global Electronics AssociationThe ongoing saga of stuck parts in tubes (a...
2025-08-2550 min
The Amp Hour Electronics Podcast#699 – CircuitHub, 12 Years Later with Andrew Seddon
Welcome Back, Andrew Seddon! Founder and CEO of CircuitHub.
Andrew was first on episode 131 of The Amp Hour
CircuitHub has a partnership with Worthington Assembly
Worthington and CircuitHub host the Pick Place Podcast
Mimicing silicon manufacturing
Common parts library
Setting the factory up to have only 50k SKUs in house for speed of loading / attrition
Driving people to 2000 parts was the original intent, but didn’t hit the mark
Level of production needs to be high
Many parts need to work in conjunction
Reflow
PnP
Throughhole
Selective soldering
Inspection
Need to solve for the whole setup. Ma...
2025-08-011h 23The Amp Hour Electronics Podcast#699 – CircuitHub, 12 Years Later with Andrew Seddon
Welcome Back, Andrew Seddon! Founder and CEO of CircuitHub.
Andrew was first on episode 131 of The Amp Hour
CircuitHub has a partnership with Worthington Assembly
Worthington and CircuitHub host the Pick Place Podcast
Mimicing silicon manufacturing
Common parts library
Setting the factory up to have only 50k SKUs in house for speed of loading / attrition
Driving people to 2000 parts was the original intent, but didn’t hit the mark
Level of production needs to be high
Many parts need to work in conjunction
Reflow
PnP
Throughhole
Selective soldering
Inspection
Need to solve for the whole setup. Ma...
2025-08-011h 23Pick, Place, PodcastMeet up with Chris in California!Chris will be in California and would love to meet up with anyone interested.He will be in the San Francisco Bay Area March 11 - March 14 and the Los Angeles/Anaheim area March 16 - March 20. Email us at contact@pickplacepodcast.com and we'll try to make something happen! pickplacepodcast.com
2025-03-0102 minPick, Place, PodcastIPC's Leadership on Sustainability in Electronics w/ Dr. John W. Mitchell and Dr. Kelly ScanlonIn this insightful episode, we delve deep into the pressing issues of sustainability within the electronics manufacturing industry with IPC President and CEO, Dr. John W. Mitchell, and Dr. Kelly Scanlon, IPC's lead sustainability strategist. They offer expert insights into how IPC is leading the charge toward more sustainable practices, the importance of data and harmonization in policy-making, and the challenges facing the industry today. Our discussion also highlights practical steps manufacturers can take to contribute to a greener future and how IPC's resources can guide these efforts.If you're interested in learning more about s...
2025-02-171h 10Pick, Place, PodcastInnovations in Motorsport Sensor Technology with Caleb Holloway of Izze RacingIn this episode, join us as we continue our exploration into the high-speed world of motorsport sensor technology with Caleb Holloway, founder of Izze Racing. Caleb delves into the complexities of antenna design, the challenges of RF engineering in the demanding environment of racing, and the innovative solutions his team has developed to enhance data accuracy on the track. From whip antennas to the nuances of sensor integration on racing vehicles, learn how cutting-edge technology is driving performance and safety in motorsports. pickplacepodcast.com
2025-01-271h 02Pick, Place, PodcastThe Challenges of Motorsport Sensor Design with Izze Racing Founder, Caleb HollowayAfter a bit of a break we are back with a new, exciting episode! This week we are joined by Caleb Holloway, founder and owner of Izze Racing. Izze Racing provides electronics sensors, with an emphasis on tire data collection, to the motorsport industry. In the first part of this conversation, we delve into Caleb's transition from academia to running his passion company full-time, what's it like designing a product for the motor racing industry, and some unique challenges he has faced. pickplacepodcast.com
2025-01-1343 minPick, Place, PodcastMastering Vias: Plugging, Filling, and Best PracticesIn this episode, we continue our conversation from last episode with Dave Wilcox, PCB CAM engineer at CircuitHub, to explore the intricacies of plugging and filling vias.Topics Covered:The differences between plugging and filling vias, and when to use each method.The common challenges faced during the reflow process, including the infamous "popcorn effect" caused by trapped flux.Practical advice on preventing manufacturing issues related to via plugging.Cost considerations between tenting, plugging, and filling vias.Insights into using various materials for via filling, including epoxy and solder.A fascinating case study on u...
2024-11-0434 minPick, Place, PodcastVias, Tenting, and Tiny FireworksIn this episode, Chris and Melissa we are focused on the topic of tenting vias. Joined by our favorite PCB guru, Dave Wilcox, we dive into the thrilling question: is it "via" or "v-eye-a"? We discuss the technical details behind different types of vias, tenting methods, and the potential manufacturing challenges that arise from improper designs such as why covering one side of a via might just lead to a tiny PCB firework show. Make sure to look out for part 2 of this episode where we continue on to learn about plugging and filling vias. Reference Links...
2024-10-2124 minPick, Place, PodcastNavigating the Environmental Impact of Electronics w/ Component Sense Founder, Kenny McGeeIn this episode, Chris and Melissa continue their conversation with Kenny McGee, founder of Component Sense. We explore the environmental impact of electronics manufacturing and discuss how companies like Component Sense work to redistribute unused parts, reducing waste in the industry. Kenny shares insights on sustainability challenges for small businesses, his personal passion for reducing waste, and the global issues around recycling and electronic component reuse. pickplacepodcast.com
2024-10-0754 minPick, Place, PodcastHow Component Sense helps components fulfill their destiny w/ Kenny McGeeIn this episode Chris and Melissa sit down with Kenny McGee, founder of Component Sense, to dive into the intricacies of the electronics supply chain. Kenny shares his journey from working in electronics manufacturing to founding Component Sense, a company focused on capital recovery from excess inventory while promoting sustainability. Tune in to learn about the environmental impact of excess electronic components, the importance of redistributing stock, and the challenges of reducing waste in the industry.pickplacepodcast.com
2024-09-2345 minPick, Place, PodcastThe RGB LED Dilemma in ManufacturingIn this episode of the PickPlace Podcast, Chris and Melissa discuss the challenges and intricacies of working with RGB LEDs, specifically the popular surface-mount DotStar LEDs from Adafruit. They dive into issues like handling cut strips versus continuous reels, the importance of sourcing directly from original manufacturers, and the need for moisture control when using these components in manufacturing. They also provide practical tips for engineers on cost-saving and quality assurance strategies when sourcing these parts for large-scale production.Show Links:https://www.adafruit.com/product/2343https://www.lcsc.com/product-detail/RGB-LEDs-Built-in-IC...
2024-09-0224 minPick, Place, PodcastRF Shields and Restroom RantsIn this episode we delve into the topic of RF (Radio Frequency) shields. . Chris explains the different types of RF shields—open top, closed top, and clip-based—detailing their applications, advantages, and challenges. We also explore the processes involved in placing these shields on circuit boards, emphasizing the importance of inspection and the complexities of manual versus automated methods, and discuss how to choose the best type of shields for your project. More importantly, Chris shares a detailed story about a poorly designed bathroom he recently experienced and realizes that one of his big pet peeves is thoughtlessness.
2024-08-1235 minPick, Place, PodcastStencils: The Unsung Heroes of PCB Perfection Pt. 2In this episode Chris and Melissa continue their deep dive into the critical role of stencils in electronics assembly, with expert insights from Brett Babilonia. We discuss advanced techniques for stencil design, including custom reductions, step stencils, and nano coatings to ensure optimal solder paste application. The episode also highlights the importance of thoughtful PCB design to manage costs and improve manufacturing efficiency. pickplacepodcast.com
2024-07-2938 minPick, Place, PodcastStencils: The Unsung Heroes of PCB Perfection Pt.1In this episode, we dive into the crucial role of stencils in electronics manufacturing. Joined by Brett Babilonia, we explore the complexities of stencil design, including handling missing data, determining foil thickness, and ensuring optimal solder paste application. We discuss common issues, such as SMT standoffs and hybrid components. Stay tuned for for more of an in-depth continuation in Part Two. pickplacepodcast.com
2024-07-2233 minPick, Place, PodcastIPC APEX EXPO Meetup RecapIn this slightly random catchup episode Chris and Melissa discuss Chris' recent trip to California where he attended IPC APEX EXPO and hosted out first Pick, Place, Podcast meetup! Huge thanks to everyone who was able to come say hi, the wonderful conversations and show suggestions! pickplacepodcast.com
2024-05-1333 minPick, Place, PodcastHow IPC President and CEO, Dr. John W. Mitchell is working on solving the workforce problemIn this episode, we uncover the multifaceted persona of IPC President and CEO, Dr. John Mitchell, from his educational background to his Ironman pursuits. Learn about IPC alongside insights into John's acclaimed book, Fire Your Hiring Habits. John also talks about the history behind the IPC Apex Expo and what you can expect at the even if you participate. Check out our other episode on IPC here. Chris will be hosting a podcast meetup at IPC Apex Expo. We'd love it if you'd join him! Date: Tuesday, April 9thTime: 3:15 P...
2024-04-011h 06Pick, Place, PodcastWhat factors influence PCB quotes w/ Brett BabiloniaIn this episode we're happy to welcome back Brett Babilonia, who we spoke to way back in episode 3 and 4 on the show. In addition to purchasing, Brett also handles a lot of quoting at Worthington. We often get asked how we quote boards, is there a magical formula, and figured Brett is the perfect person to speak on this topic. pickplacepodcast.com
2024-02-2655 minPick, Place, PodcastStick It Up Your TubeParts packaged in tubes are awful and Chris has had enough. He's starting a movement to end the use of tubes once and for all. Why do they still exist? If anybody has an answer PLEASE write in to let us know. Join us on this hour long rant as we discuss all the reasons why tubes suck including their effect on the environment and how inefficient they are for pcb assembly. pickplacepodcast.com
2024-01-2951 minPick, Place, PodcastHow New Solder Products Are Developed w/ AIM Solder Content Marketing Specialist, Gayle TowellWelcome to the first episode of 2024 (which was recorded in 2023)! In today's show we're joined by AIM Solder's Content Marketing Specialist, Gayle Towell. AIM is a leading global manufacturer of solder assembly materials for the electronics industry with manufacturing, distribution, and support facilities located throughout North and South America, EMEA, and Asia.Gayle helps to walks us through topics like what exactly a soldering company like AIM does, how they make their products, who buys it, how they decide what product to design next, and more. pickplacepodcast.com
2024-01-0853 minPick, Place, PodcastA digitized solution to managing manufacturing workflow processes w/ Praxie CEO, Michael LynchWe like to talk to interesting people on this show so when Praxie reached out to us wondering if their CEO, Michael Lynch could come on the show we knew it would be a fun conversation. Michael is the former head of Internet of Things at SAP software and now CEO of Praxie (and believe it or not, former lead in Les Miserables on Broadway prior to that!). We talk about how Michael went from the acting/performance world to the internet of things and eventually wound up founding Praxie. Praxie provides a platform tha...
2023-12-1152 minPick, Place, PodcastConveyers, An Episode You Didn't Know You NeededWhy would we dedicate an entire episode to conveyers, you ask? Because it just so happens to be Chris' favorite topic! Chris has an addiction to progress and conveyers are one of the best ways in a factory setting to achieve that (both literally and figuratively). We get an overview of the different types of conveyers typically used in a factory setting and get into the technical aspects of how to set conveyers up before venting about the end of daylight saving time. Transfer inspection conveyer - https://vanstron.us/collections/transfer-inspection-conveyors/products/copy-of-ptb-460l-5m-20-long-pcb-transfer-inspection-conveyor
2023-11-2055 minPick, Place, PodcastAn Answering Your Questions Grab BagAt the end of our episodes we've been asking you to send in any questions you had...and we're finally answering them. In this grab bag episode we discuss topics like what happens to excess parts, the ISO certification process, the shrinking size of resistors, and more! In honor of spooky season, we also share some scary stories from production.pickplacepodcast.com
2023-10-3059 minPick, Place, PodcastImpedance Control Demo w/ NCAB Group Field Application Engineer Ryan MillerIn this episode we welcome back NCAB Group Field Application Engineer Ryan Miller. The first time we had him on the show he gave us a lesson on what impedance control is, in what situations is it necessary, and more. This time we recorded a video demo going through how he would create a stackup the requires controlled impedance. In order for this episode to make sense watch the video version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwsyTUTN1z0pickplacepodcast.com
2023-10-171h 32Pick, Place, PodcastCatch up with ChrisWhat's been going on at the factory while we've been away? Chris catches up Melissa and all of you listeners on all of the new people, machines, and processes that have been introduced during our break. pickplacepodcast.com
2023-09-2548 minPick, Place, PodcastESD Flooring w/ SelecTech CEO Tom RicciardelliAfter a LONG hiatus, we're back! Our break was for a very good reason though. Listen to find out why!In this episode, we welcome SelecTech CEO and co-founder Tom Ricciardelli. Tom is a technical flooring expert on static control or ESD flooring. He is also chairman of the committee formed by the ESD Association (www.esda.org). His company, SelecTech, is a leader in the manufacture of innovative flooring products and has a very interesting story on how it came to be. Tom gives us a quick recap on what ESD is (we also h...
2023-09-1152 minPick, Place, PodcastSoft Skills of Engineering w/ Being an Engineer Host, Aaron MoncurThis week we're joined by fellow podcast host Aaron Moncur who runs the Being an Engineer Podcast and is also the founder of Pipeline Design and Engineering. We had a fun discussion on the soft skills of engineering, including how to have systems in place that align with/support your goals, time management, and productivity hacks you might find useful for managing yourself and your team.Pipeline partners with medical & other device engineering teams who need turnkey equipment such as cycle test machines, custom test fixtures, automation equipment, assembly jigs, inspection stations, and more. p...
2023-04-241h 07Pick, Place, PodcastHow Small Manufacturers Manage Large Volume OrdersHow do smaller manufacturers like Worthington and CircuitHub manage larger volume orders? Recently we've seen a big increase in these types of orders so it only seemed fitting to have a discussion about it. We briefly touch on the financial and negotiation side of things before getting to the logistics of how we handle large-volume orders. This includes how we decide if we're going to build and/or ship in batches, how large orders change how we buy parts, and why building this wa can be a very successful way of producing boards.pickplacepodcast.com
2023-04-1051 minPick, Place, PodcastWhat Happens After the CHIPS Act w/ the Printed Circuit Board Association of AmericaWe're back after a bit of a break! In this episode, we're excited to welcome David Shield from the Printed Circuit Board Associated of America (PCBAA) to talk about how their work is influencing the US Congress to bring electronics manufacturing back to America. The Printed Circuit Board Association of America is the sole association of U.S. domestic printed circuit board manufacturers and suppliers. PCBAA was established in 2021 by PCB manufacturers and other industry stakeholders amid rising geopolitical challenges.PCBAA seeks to promote an environment in which U.S.-based printed circuit board (PCB) m...
2023-03-2759 minPick, Place, PodcastEven Cleaner Cleaning With Cleaning Expert Mike “Mr. Clean” KonradWe're very excited to have Mike Konrad, founder of Aqueous Technologies as well as host of his own podcast, Reliability Matters, back on the show.We first had Mike on the show to discuss the history of board cleaning, the electronics the industry's transition to primarily using no-clean flux, and why more and more companies are reintroducing board cleaning back into their assembly process. Mike recently reached out to us and offered to talk about the 2018 changes to the IPC cleanliness standards and why adoption of the new standard has been slow at best due...
2023-01-091h 27Pick, Place, PodcastThe Benefits of Asynchronous Design Review for Engineers & Manufacturers w/ AllSpice.ioThis week we are joined by Valentina Ratner and Kyle Dumont, co-founders of AllSpice.io. Valentina and Kyle met while doing an MBA program at Harvard and realized they both shared a common frustration - the lack of asynchronous design review tools available for electrical engineers despite such tools being readily available for other engineering fields like mechanical and software. Thus they joined forces to create AllSpice.AllSpice is a git platform for hardware engineers that helps them to accelerate their time to market by enabling modern revision control and collaboration for native electronic designs.W...
2022-12-191h 13
Being an EngineerChris Denney | PCB Design, Fabrication, & ManufacturingSend us a textChris Denney has a degree in electronics engineering and is CTO at Worthington Assembly Inc, where they specialize in small volume prototype and production runs of highly complex printed circuit boards, or PCBs. Chris is also cohost at the Pick, Place, Podcast where they discuss the pcb assembly process and design tips that will make your manufacturer love you.https://circuithub.com/Aaron Moncur, hostWe hope you enjoyed this episode of the Being an Engineer Podcast.Help us rank as the #1 engineering podcast on Apple and...
2022-12-161h 00Pick, Place, PodcastOuter Layer Imaging w/ CAM Engineer Dave WilcoxCircuitHub CAM engineer, Dave Wilcox is back on the show to teach us more about the PCB fabrication process. In our last episode with Dave, we went into the fine details of drilling a PCB. Today we move on to the next step Outer Layer Imaging. pickplacepodcast.com
2022-11-2156 minPick, Place, PodcastUnderstanding Controlled Impedance w/ NCAB Group Field Application Engineer, Ryan MillerWe apologize for our extended break! Chris has been hard at work from morning til late at night every day setting up Worthington's two new Fuji pick and place machines. Now that some of the dust has settled we hope to get back on a more regular recording schedule. We've had several requests from our listeners to have an episode on on impedance control, which is unfortunately a topic Chris and Melissa have little expertise on. Fortunately we were able to connect with Ryan Miller from NCAB group who specializes in the subject and kindly agreed to c...
2022-11-051h 02Pick, Place, PodcastHow PCB panelization methods inform depanelizationIn episode 19, we focused on the different types of depanelization methods that can be used during assembly. In this episode, we take a deeper dive into panelization, how we decide what panelization methods and sizes to use, and how this informs depanelization. pickplacepodcast.com
2022-09-1235 minPick, Place, PodcastA Conversation with The Awkward EngineerIn this episode, which might just be our nerdiest one yet, we are joined by Sam Feller, aka The Awkward Engineer. First and foremost he would like everyone to know that he is the awkward one, the engineering is top notch.Sam is a long time Worthington/CircuitHub customer, product manager at Tulip, former engineer at Amazon, and founder of the Awkward Engineer where he works on quirky hardware project and now does consulting! It was a pleasure to have Sam on the show. Some of the topics we touch on include: Why having com...
2022-08-291h 11Pick, Place, PodcastThe nitty gritty details on solderWe're back! In this episode we talk about what we were busy doing on our "break", the different types and formats that solder comes in, and some unfortunate consequences that sometimes occur while eating chips. pickplacepodcast.com
2022-08-1550 minPick, Place, PodcastAll the Tricks and Gotchas in Surface Mount Assembly (Repost from the Coriolis Effect)Last week Chris was a guest on the Coriolis Effect, a podcast hosted by Bil Herd and Ben Jordan. Since we are still on hiatus (and because the episode was so great) we decided to repost the conversation. Don't worry, we expect to be back next episode with some new, fun and content and plenty of pet peeves! pickplacepodcast.com
2022-07-251h 52Pick, Place, PodcastCustom tooling to the rescueSometimes things are difficult to build....enter the help of custom tooling! In this episode, we highlight some of the applications for which we might order custom tooling, how they can help us assemble boards more efficiently and accurately, and some things you might want to do if you'd like to avoid custom tooling becoming necesesary.Show Links:Stentech productspickplacepodcast.com
2022-07-1134 minPick, Place, PodcastBenefits of intrusive solderingIntrusive soldering, also known as pin-in-paste, is a method that uses solder paste to solder the thru-hole leads instead of hand soldering, wave soldering, or selective soldering. If designed properly, it's a great way to save time and money during pcb assembly. In this episode, we discuss how intrusive soldering is done, challenges associated with this process, and design recommendations. Episode links:Wurth USB-C GuideOur favorite USB-C portpickplacepodcast.com
2022-06-2740 minPick, Place, PodcastThe role of flux in PCB assemblyFlux is friend. Not foe.To create a solder joint, you have a lot working against you. Boards, parts, the air...it’s all very cold compared to the melting point of solder. Those are easily overcome with a good heat source in the way of a soldering iron, wave solder, or selective solder. However, none of this will do you a lick of good without flux because metal oxide is the biggest challenge you have to combat.In this episode, we go over flux's role in fighting the oxide layer that forms during PCB as...
2022-06-1437 minPick, Place, PodcastDebugging PCB AssembliesIt's a fact of life that defects and failed boards will sometimes occur, which is why it's so important to have a debugging procedure prepared to help your CM know how to move forward. In this episode, we talk about best practices on how to work with your CM when these problems arise. pickplacepodcast.com
2022-05-3130 min