Reliability Matters

Reliability Matters

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

Episodes

July 22, 2025 47 mins
As the electric vehicle market accelerates, the reliability of the charging infrastructure becomes increasingly vital. Chargers that are down or malfunctioning can hinder adoption and erode consumer confidence. But who ensures these chargers stay up and running?

Today, we're diving into that very topic with a trailblazer in the EV service space. My guest is Kameale Terry, co-founder and CEO of ChargerHelp!, a company revolutionizing...
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Today we're diving into a topic that keeps many executives awake at night—ERP implementations. More specifically, why so many of them fail and, perhaps more importantly, how to fix them midstream before they derail your operations.

Joining me today is someone who knows this space inside and out—Chintan Sutaria. Chintan grew up working in an EMS business from a young age, gaining firsthand experience in the unique challenges of our i...
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Today we're turning our attention to a cornerstone of modern electronics manufacturing: pick and place technology.

Joining me is Tim Kang, CEO of Hanwha Semitech Americas. With nearly two decades of experience in the electronics manufacturing space—starting as a mechanical engineer and now leading one of the top pick and place equipment providers—Tim brings a wealth of insight into what it takes to build reliable assemblies.

In this ...
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Today we're exploring a concept that has deep roots in process safety and infrastructure management, but also has meaningful applications in electronics manufacturing: Damage Mechanism Reviews, or DMRs.

My guest today is Dheeraj Narang, a corrosion and reliability engineering specialist, process safety activist, and digital innovation researcher with an impressive track record across the energy sector.
Dheeraj has spent his career de...
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On this episode of the Reliability Matters podcast, I left my usual studio for the IPC APEX Expo in Anaheim California.

I interviewed two subject matter experts on topics related to electronic assembly.

My guests are:
Gerald Gardner, Global Product Manager at Weller, a manufacturer of hand soldering equipment fume extraction systems, and precision tools.

Mike Young – CEO OF SASinno Americas, a manufacturer of wave and selective solderi...
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On this episode of the Reliability Matters podcast, I left my usual studio for the IPC APEX Expo in Anaheim California.

I interviewed three subject matter experts on various topics related to electronic assembly. My guests are:

Greg Beck, Director of Sales at Absolute EMS, a contract manufacturer.

Brian Watson, Co-Founder OF HyRel Technologies, a global provider of quick turn semiconductor modification solutions.

Keith Sweatman, Techni...
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Today, we’re diving deep into the world of electronics manufacturing from a unique vantage point—that of the press.  

My guest today is someone who has spent decades at the forefront of reporting on the electronics manufacturing industry. Mike Buetow, editor-in-chief of Circuits Assembly magazine, has covered everything from the latest technological advancements to the biggest challenges facing manufacturers today. 

If there’s a majo...
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This episode is a little different in two ways. First, I didn’t record it in my studio. I recorded it at the SMTA Pan Pacific strategic Electronics symposium, affectionately known as PanPac, in beautiful Maui Hawaii.

Each year, I record a Reliability Matters podcast at PanPac. Normally, the format of the show is I ask questions, and my guests provide answers. On this episode however, I decided to let my guest do all of the talking. 

...
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Today, we’re putting the spotlight on a critical component in surface mount technology, the stencil. 
These precision-engineered tools are the unsung heroes of electronic assembly, playing a pivotal role in ensuring accurate solder paste deposition and, ultimately, the reliability of your circuit assemblies.

It's been long said that reliability begins at the solder print, and the print begins with the stencil.

Joining us today is Elia...
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Today, we're tackling a topic that has become increasingly vital in recent years: supply chain management. 

With global supply chains recently under immense pressure from disruptions, shortages, and growing complexity, the need for smarter, more efficient solutions has never been greater. 
And what better way to explore this than by discussing the cutting-edge role of AI-powered supply chain management software.

My guest today is Seba...
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Today we’re diving into a critical yet sometimes overlooked component that powers so many of the devices we rely on: batteries. Batteries are the heartbeat of countless electronic products, from medical devices and electric vehicles to consumer gadgets and industrial systems. 

Choosing the right battery is not a one-size-fits-all decision. It requires a keen understanding of the application, performance needs, and environmental dema...
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On this episode, we’ll dive into the world of electronics testing with an expert within the electronics testing industry, Robert Boguski,  President and Owner of Datest. 

Robert brings 44 years of experience in the design, fabrication, assembly, and testing of printed circuit boards (PCBs) and electronic systems. Under his leadership, Datest has become a premier provider of advanced, integrated PCBA testing and inspection services, ...
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Today, we’re exploring a transformative topic: AI-based inspection technologies. 

Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing how we detect, analyze, and address defects in the electronics assembly process, combining precision with unparalleled speed to unlock new possibilities for efficiency and reliability.

Our guest today is a leading innovator in this field. Priyansha Bagaria is the founder and CEO of Loopr AI, a company at the f...
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Today, we’re diving into one of the most transformative innovations of our time: electric vehicles and the vast infrastructure needed to support their growth. 

Joining us is Brian O’Leary, Global Head of of e-Mobility & Infrastructure at Indium Corporation, a leading expert with deep insights into the electronic assembly industry and its critical role in the EV revolution.

As electric vehicles continue to redefine the future of t...
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Today we’re celebrating the end of another incredible year. 

This isn’t just any episode—it’s a time to reflect on the journey we’ve been on together, highlight some milestones, and share a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has made this podcast such a success. Can you believe it? 

Reliability Matters has now released 159 episodes! It feels like just yesterday we started this podcast with the mission to explore how industry experts...
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Today, I’m excited to introduce the hosts of the D-Code podcast, a dynamic trio of young professionals making waves in the electronics manufacturing industry. 

With experience rooted in contract manufacturing and stencil fabrication for electronic assemblies, they bring a fresh perspective to the table. Although they’re at the start of their podcasting journey, D-Code has already begun to attract attention, tackling industry insight...
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On today’s episode, we’ll be exploring the critical steps to avoid contamination on circuit assemblies during the rework process with our expert guest, Gayle Towell. 

Gayle is the Content Marketing Specialist at AIM Solder, a leading global manufacturer of solder assembly materials for the electronics industry. She holds master's degrees in both mathematics and physics from the University of Oregon and has nearly two decades of expe...
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On today’s episode, we’re turning our focus to a pivotal innovation that has transformed design and manufacturing processes: flexible circuits.

Flexible circuits have emerged as a game-changer in the manufacturing and design of electronic assemblies. With their unique ability to bend, twist, and conform to complex shapes, they offer unparalleled advantages in applications where space is at a premium and reliability is paramount. 
Fro...
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Today, I’m in Rosemont Illinois at SMTAI, Surface Mount Technology International. I’m in the Ultra-HDI Pavilion on the trade show floor. And what are we going to talk about here in the Ultra-HDI pavilion? Ultra high density interconnects, of course.

As the demand for smaller, faster, and more powerful devices grows, the need for innovative solutions in circuit design has never been greater. UHDI's represent a significant leap forwar...
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One of the most critical aspects of manufacturing high-reliability circuit assemblies is thermal profiling during the reflow process. 

Whether you're designing, engineering, or troubleshooting circuit assemblies, understanding how temperatures during the reflow process influences the quality and performance of your assemblies is essential. 

In this episode, we’ll break down what thermal profiling is, why it’s important, and how it af...
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